CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 454

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Enclosure Nr 1 in fir J. Jordan's N:46 of January 23 th Emigration of Chinese in British vessels to foreign countries:

desirability of permitting.

Mr Camel Bady to his J. Jordan. 70/83 M.

Triplicate.

General Series,

No 2.

C. 0.

98448

MAR 9 1907) \REGE 19 MAR 07.

H.B.M.Consulate,

Chefoo, January 10th,1907.

Ree?

"

19th

1.

sir,

In the spring of last year, while I was in charge of

His Majesty's Consulate at Foochow, Mesars. Dodwell & Co.,a

British firm, chartered the British steamer "Powhatan" to take

emigrant coolies from China to Mexico. The coolies being all

under contract, and moreover destined for a foreign country,i.e

a country other than a British possession, the question arose

whether or not such a vessel was justified under the circum-

stances in engaging in the traffic. As I had had no previous

experience in Emigration business, I decided before taking any

responsibility in the matter, to place myself in communication

with the Hongkong Government, it being under the provisions

of the Hongkong Ordinances, as well as the Chinese Passengers

Act,1855, that emigration from Chiness ports in British ver-

sels is conducted. I was informed by the Colonial Secretary

that British vessels were only privileged to take contract

Sir John N.Jordan, K.C.HM.G.

Hie Majesty's Minister,

Peking.

labourers