ARTICLE 2. Rigorous observance is enjoined in Article 25th of the Decree of June 5th 1856, to the effect that no vessel shall carry more than twenty Emigrants unless she has on board a medical practitioner and a medicine chest.
ARTICLE 3. The provision of this Decree shall take effect from the 1st January, 1865. The authorities to whom, &c., &c., &c.
Macao, 13th August, 1864.
JOSE RODRIGUES C. DO AMARAL,
Governor of Macao.
APPENDIX No. 11.
FROM G. W. CAINE, Esq.,
To W. MAXWELL, Esq.
Agent at Swatow for British West India Emigration.
XXV
I noticed during the last season, and you yourself likewise informed me that all small-footed women were rejected.
As in this and the adjoining Districts all the respectable females are small-footed, the prohibition for shipment of such is likely to be highly detrimental to emigration.
To those acquainted with China, it is well known that a Chinaman's wife is almost invariably a small-footed woman, whereas women with large feet are purchased as concubines. If, therefore, it be the intention to induce Chinese to settle in the West Indies, and rear their families there, it is clear that this object is likely to be effected, if the laborer be accompanied by his real wife and children, then if he merely purchased a woman a few days before starting from hence, to serve until such time as he shall have accumulated sufficient money to enable him to return to his country, either to marry a wife or else to rejoin his wife whom he may have left behind on leaving that small-footed women could not be received at the Depôt.
The wives of Emigrants are not expected to work in the fields, or attend to aught but household duties, I cannot understand therefore the object of this prohibition.
As I said in the commencement of this letter, the people of the District are very poor, and I am certain that as soon as the West India Emigration scheme is properly understood and believed in, and the advantages offered by the allotment system fully appreciated, that many families will be induced to emigrate, but if the restriction with respect to small-footed women be enforced, a serious impediment will be thrown in the way.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
[Sd.] G. W. CAINE.
I understand that the permission hitherto given to Emigrants to allot to relatives portions of their wages is to be withheld during the next shipping season.
I consider that such a step would throw serious obstacles in the way of Emigration at this Port.
First. Because the marked distinction at present existing between the West Indian Emigration, and that formerly carried on by Kidnappers, would be done away with, and the Natives in the Interior would be prevented from placing that faith in it which regular allotment payments would do much to secure.
Second. Many of the families in this neighborhood, which is most thickly populated, are in straitened circumstances; the inducement offered to such of a regular monthly payment from a member of a family, leaving for the West Indies, would therefore be great, and in China, where the relative between parent and child is so highly reverenced, the certainty of a provision for an aged parent would be a great consideration to an intending Emigrant, nay I believe, that when a family depended mainly on the earnings of the son, the latter would not leave his country without his parents, and in such cases Emigration would either be greatly diminished, or else the aged parents themselves would have to accompany their sons to the West Indies; and
3rdly. The Chinese being a suspicious race, and many abuses having been committed formerly at this port in the collection of Coolies, may on learning the stoppage of further allotments, have their doubts as to the character of the Emigration, and would most likely fancy that the granting of all allotments during the first season was held out merely as a bait, and once such a doubt is engendered, it will be found most difficult to eradicate it. Moreover, seeing the distance of some of the Districts to which pamphlets, notices, etc., containing the terms offered to laborers emigrating were sent by yourself during the last year; and that many Chinese putting faith in these will come forward next season under the idea the conditions set forth in such pamphlets, &c., will be observed, I cannot feel but apprehensive of the ill effects likely to result to the Emigration business from any alterations in the conditions of the contracts which promised the first season greater inducements.
Taking all the circumstances into consideration it seems to me that the plan of withholding allotments during the next season should be fully enquired into before a final decision be come to, the more so as I firmly believe that if the allotment scheme be continued, a very large number of Emigrants will be shipped from hence during next season.
There is another point on which I wish to make a few remarks.
It is the desire of the Emigration Commissioners to induce laborers from China to take their wives and families with them to the West Indies.
(Sd.) G. W. CAINE.
Though six years have elapsed since the above communication was written, I see no reason to alter, in any way, the opinion there stated.
To THORNTON WARNER, Esq.,
Swatow, June 4 1868.
G. W. CAINE,
H. M's. Consul.
719
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χχίν
ARTICLE 2. Rigorous observance is enjoined in Article 25th of the Decree of June 5th 1856, to the effect that no vessel shall carry more than twenty Emigrants unless she has on board a medical practitioner and a medicine chest.
ARTICLE 3. The provision of this Decree shall take effect from the 1st January, 1865. The authorities to whom, &c., &e., &c.
Macao, 13th August, 1864.
JOSE RODRIGUES C. DO AMARAL,
Governor of Macao.
APPENDIX No. 11.
FROM G. W. CAINE, Esq.,
To W. MAXWELL, Esq.
Agent at Swatow for British West India Emigration.
XXV
I noticed during the last season, and you yourself likewise informed me that all smal footed women were rejected.
As in this and the adjoining Districts all the respectable females are small footed, the prohibition for shipment of such is likely to be highly detrimental to emigration.
To those acquainted with China, it is well known that a Chinaman's wife is almost invariably a small-footed woman, whereas women with large feet are purchased as concubines. If, therefore, it be the intention to induce Chinese to settle in the West Indies, and rear their families there, it is clear that this object is likely to be effected, if the laborer be accompanied by his real wife and children, then if he merely purchased a woman a few days before starting from hence, to serve until such time as he shall have accumulated sufficient money to enable him to return to his country, either to marry a wife or else to rejoin his wife whom he may have left behind on leaving that small-footed women could not be received at the Depôt.
The wives of Emigrants are not expected to work in the fields, or attend to aught but household duties, I cannot understand therefore the object of this prohibition.
As I said in the commencement of this letter, the people of the District are very poor, and I am certain that as soon as the West India Emigration scheme is properly understood and believed in, and the advantages offered by the allotment system fully appreciated, that many families will be induced to emigrate, but if the restriction with respect to small- footed women be enforced, a serious impediment will be thrown in the way.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
STR
I understand that the permisson hitherto given to Emigrants to allot to relatives por- tions of their wages is to be withheld during the next shipping season.
I consider that such a step would throw serious obstacles in the way of Emigration at this Port.
First. Because the marked distinction at present existing between the West Indian Emigration, and that formerly carried on by Kidnappers, would be done away with, and the Natives in the Interior would be prevented from placing that faith in it which regular allot- ment payments would do much to secure.
Second. Many of the families in this neighborhood, which is most thickly populated, are in straitened circumstances; the inducement offered to such of a regular monthly payment from a member of a family, leaving for the West Indies, would therefore be great, and in China, where the relative between parent and child is so highly reverenced, the certainty of a provision for an aged parent would be a great consideration to an intending Emigrant, nay I believe, that when a family depended mainly on the earnings of the son, the latter would not leave his country without his parents, and in such cases Emigration would either be greatly diminished, or else the aged parents themselves would have to accompany their sons to the West Indies; and
3rdly. The Chinese being a suspicious race, and many abuses having been committed for- merly at this port in the collection of Coolies, may on learning the stoppage of further allotments, have their doubts as to the character of the Emigration, and would most likely fancy that the granting of all allotments during the first season was held out merely as a bait, and once such a doubt is engendered, it will be found most difficult to eradicate it. Moreover, seeing the distance of some of the Districts to which pamphlets, notices, etc., con- taining the terms offered to laborers emigrating were sent by yourself during the last year; and that many Chinese putting faith in these will come forward next season under the idea the conditions set forth in such pamphlets, &c., will be observed, I cannot feel but apprehen- sive of the ill effects likely to result to the Emigration business from any alterations in the conditions of the contracts which promised the first season greater inducements.
Taking all the circumstances into consideration it seems to me that the plan of with- holding allotments during the next season should be fully enquired into before a final deci- sion be come to, the more so as I firmly believe that if the allotment scheme be continued, a very large number of Emigrants will be shipped from hence during next season.
There is another point on which I wish to make a few remarks.
It is the desire of the Emigration Commissioners to induce laborers from China to take their wives and families with them to the West Indies.
(Sd.) G. W. CAINE.
Though six years have elapsed since the above communication was written, I see no reason to alter, in any way, the opinion there stated.
Tɔ THORNTON WARNER, Esq.,
Swatow, June 4 1868.
G. W. CAINE,
H. M's. Consul.
719
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