Despatches from the Right Honourable Earl Grey, (No. 153.) - No. 1. BRITISH GUIANA COPY of a DESPATCH from Earl Grey to Governor Barkly. Downing-street, 1 March 1850. No. 1. Sir, WITH reference to your despatch of the 18th April last, No. 66, pointing out Earl Grey_to certain inaccuracies in the amount of salaries stated by Mr. Baillie to be enjoyed Governor Barkly, by some of the public officers in British Guiana, I transmit to you herewith for 1 March 1850. your information extracts from a correspondence between Mr. Matthew J. Higgins and this office on the subject. EXTRACT of a Letter from M. J. Higgins, Esq. to Earl Grey, dated 11 February 1850. "I WILL further observe, my Lord, that I have a very sufficient answer to these despatches Encl. 1, in No. I of Governor Barkly which you have published, censuring me for having myself made incorrect statements before the committee, and for having designedly furnished to other parties incorrect statements respecting the salaries, fees and other emoluments of the public officers in British Guiana. "The statements which I made myself before the committee, and the data which I furnished to other parties on that subject, were wholly and solely based on the information which I had obtained, with your Lordship's cognizance and sanction, from the department over which you preside, and that Mr. Under-Secretary Hawes was well aware of this fact, your Lordship may ascertain by referring to answers 2090, 2093. 2964, of my evidence before the Guiana Committee." Enclosure 2, in No. 1. EXTRACT of a Letter from H. Merivale, Esq. to M. J. Higgins, Esq. "WITH respect to the other portion of your letter, Lord Grey has no objection to con- Eucl. 2, in No. L firm the statement made by you to the committee, that you had been furnished with certain data respecting the salaries of public officers in British Guiana from this office, and that your answers to the questions put to you by the committee were founded on these data. "The information respecting the official incomes of certain functionaries in British Guiana, which was furnished to you, was copied from the latest Blue Book which was at that time in this office; but it appears most probable, although this cannot now be verified, that certain notes contained in the Blue Book, respecting the deductions to which the gross emoluments of some of the officers in question are liable, were omitted in the transcription in this office, and that some, although not the whole of the discrepancies between your statement and that subsequently given by Governor Barkly, were owing to this error in the transcription, which seems to have arisen from the circumstance, that the gentlemen of this office who collected the information supposed that the gross amount of .fficial incomes was all that was asked for. BRITISH GUIANA. "This material omission which had apparently been made in the statement furnished to you, was not noticed until after Governor Barkly's despatch had directed attention to it. "Lord Grey will transmit extracts from your letter and from this reply to the Governor of British Guiana, and will cause the despatch, with these enclosures, to be included amongst the next papers relating to the affairs of that colony, which there may be occasion to lay before Parliament." Sir, COPY of a DESPATCH from Earl Grey to Governor Barkly. Downing-street, 15 February 1850. 1. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 3d ultimo, No. 2,* enclosing a copy of the reply of the elective members of the Combined Court, to the speech which you addressed to that Court at the opening of the Session for 1849; together with the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Combined Court on the Estimate for 1849. 2. I have to express my concurrence both in your remarks on the courteous tone of the reply of the Court and in your views with regard to the prospects for the future which now present themselves, and the causes of the past distress. 3. I have never doubted that the effect of removing the protection formerly enjoyed by colonial sugar, would be to cause a reduction of the rate of wages; indeed, one of the principal reasons which has always led me to believe that that protection ought to cease, has been my conviction that what it added to the price of sugar to the consumer, did not really benefit the planter, but was absorbed in the increase of wages, to which it necessarily led. And comparing the condition of the labouring classes in Guiana and in this country, it appeared to me contrary to every principle of justice that the price of what is almost a necessary of life to the British labourer, should be enhanced for the sake of artificially raising the wages of the negroes in the colonies. 4. At the same time I do not believe that the effect of the alteration of the law will be to reduce the wages of the negroes in the same proportion that it will lower the cost of producing sugar. All the information which has been elicited, tends to show that the cost of producing sugar has been raised in Guiana at least as much by the deficient amount of labour which the planter has been able to command, as by the price he has been compelled to pay for it; and that if he could have commanded labour enough to keep his land in high cultivation, and his works and machinery in full employment, so as to increase the amount of produce while the fixed capital employed remained the same, the cost at which the sugar was raised would be greatly reduced, even if wages had been unaltered. 5. It has also been shown, that when wages were so high the labourers devoted a much smaller portion of their time to labour than they might have done without inconvenience. The tendency of the change I believe, therefore, will ultimately be not to reduce the total earnings of the labourers, but to compel them to perform a greater amount of labour than formerly, in order to obtain the same wages, which they may do without working nearly so hard as the labourers are in the habit of doing in other countries, which raise staple articles of export. Downing-street, 16 February 1850. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a letter from Mr. M'Chlery, respecting the introduction of Chinese labourers into British Guiana. Sir, No. 3. Earl Grey to Governor Barkly. 16 February 1850. I have already signified to Lord Harris my assent, under certain conditions, to the introduction into Trinidad of a certain number of these people; and in the enclosed despatch, which I addressed to his Lordship on the 1st instant, you will find my views on the subject so clearly explained, that it is only necessary for me to refer you to that despatch for your guidance, and to express my readiness, as I have done in the case of Trinidad, to give my immediate attention to any Ordinance which may be passed by the Legislature of British Guiana for carrying this project into execution. 11 February. No. 392. 1 February 1850. Enclosure 1, in No. 3. My Lord, 29, Finsbury-circus, 11 February 1850. HAVING taken occasion, when waiting on your Lordship as a member of the Trinidad Encl. 1, in No. 3. Association, to represent the importance of employing every means to supply British Guiana as soon as possible with an additional number of suitable labourers, I now beg leave respectfully to suggest, that the information relative to emigration from China which has been forwarded to Trinidad, should be also transmitted to Governor Barkly, for the consideration of the Legislature of Guiana. I may at the same time mention, that my house (Cavan, Brothers, & Co.), and others connected with the colony, are prepared to undertake the conveyance of a limited number of Chinese labourers to British Guiana, under your Lordship's license, agreeably to the propositions made by the Trinidad Association, when the requisite Ordinances are passed in the colony. The Right hon. the Earl Grey, &c. &c. &c. I have, &c. (signed) Mic. M'Chlery. (No. 392.) My Lord, Enclosure 2, in No. 3. Downing-street, 1 February 1850. In the memorial which accompanied your despatch of the 6th September last, No. 69, it Encl. 2, in No. 3. was prayed that, in addition to the renewal of immigration from India, immigrant labourers might be introduced from China. In my reply to your despatch, dated the 29th ultimo, I did not advert to the latter kind of immigration, as I was in expectation of receiving some information on the subject from the Governor of Hong Kong. That information has now reached me, and copies of Mr. Bonham's letters are herewith enclosed. I have since been in communication with a deputation from the Trinidad Association, and I now transmit to you a copy of a communication I have received from them, setting forth the manner in which they consider that the introduction of Chinese into Trinidad might advantageously be effected. To such a measure I do not, as at present advised, see any objection; and, indeed, it seems to me calculated to be of much advantage to the colony. It will, however, be for yourself and the Legislative Council more particularly to consider the plan which has been proposed for the introduction of these people, and to decide whether measures should be taken for carrying it into effect. You will not fail to observe, that the plan now suggested is founded on the assumption that there shall exist in the colony a law for recovering from immigrants introduced at the cost of the colony the expense incurred on their account, by means of a stamp duty on engagements, and a tax on immigrants not under engagements. If therefore it should be desired to try this experiment, it will be necessary that, in the first instance, an Ordirance should be passed, based on the principles explained to you in my despatch, No. 376, of the 15th ultimo, together with any further provisions requisite to give effect to this scheme, in those particulars in which it differs from other operations for the introduction and regulation of immigrants. 8 October. 30 October. 28 January. BRITISH GUIANA. If your Lordship and the Legislative Council should pass such an Ordinance, it shall on reaching me, receive my immediate consideration, and if it is found to deserve Her Majesty's sanction, I will give my best attention to the means of carrying the project into execution. The Lord Harris, &c. &c. &c. Sub-Enclosure 1, to Enclosure 2, in No. 3. I have, &c. (signed) Grey. My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, 8 October 1849. IN your Lordship's note of the 25th June, which only reached me on the 13th September, I am instructed to ascertain and report on the practicability of inducing Chinese labourers to proceed from China to our West India colonies, more especially to Trinidad and Guiana, and I now have the honour to enclose, for your Lordship's information, a memorandum on this subject, supplied to me by a merchant of this colony, and which it may be useful for your Lordship to be acquainted with. Since forwarding to me this memorandum, Mr. Muir has written to me to say "that the British ship "Cadet" arrived at Amoy direct from Sydney, via Manila, with orders to his firm to procure a cargo of Coolies, and to send them by the vessel to the settlement at Moreton Bay;" and adds, "From the Sydney letters, we learn that the Coolies sent before were freely engaged before landing, and the result has led to this order, which will very soon be followed by many others; indeed, they say they can take 10,000 next year, and my partner at Amoy says he can get double that number, without any difficulty." I have conversed fully with Mr. Muir on this matter, and he has promised to write to Amoy, for the purpose of obtaining further information relative to the fate of the Coolies shipped to the Havana, the man who returned from that place with 16,000 dollars being understood to be resident at Amoy. I have likewise requested Mr. Muir to put on paper the terms that would induce him to undertake to import into the West India colonies Coolies from hence. When I have received his communication, I shall have again the honour to address your Lordship. The Right hon. the Earl Grey, I have, &c. (signed) S. G. Bonham. Hong Kong, 3 October 1849. THE Chinese settlers in the Straits, and in all parts of the Eastern Archipelago, are principally from the province of Fohkien, the natives of which are not only of a more adventurous disposition than their neighbours of the Canton province, but from their superior applicability and docile nature much better adapted for colonists; one particular feature also characterises the men of this province, viz. the general love of their native country, and the desire to return to it after realizing what they consider a competency, which pervades all classes of emigrants therefrom. In Manila, the climate of which, it is to be presumed, is much similar to that of the West Indies, they are very numerous, have become from long intercourse quite habituated to the country and climate, and intermarrying freely with the aborigines, a very great advantage, as with exception of Singapore and other places in the straits, Manila is the only part where they have been found to do so, a circumstance of no small importance. The extreme repugnance of the Chinese husband or father to remove his family from their native country, besides the illegality of such a proceeding by Chinese laws, is too well known to require comment, and this must ever be a serious impediment to emigration. It may not be generally known that the Manila government had it in contemplation, about two years ago, to colonize one of the Philippine Islands entirely with Chinese, permitting them to be governed by their own laws, subject only in extreme cases to the approval of the Manila courts. The writer was applied to by the originator of this scheme to procure 300 male and 50 female emigrants, but although the former could have been easily obtained on the usual terms, as the latter could not be procured except by purchase, the commission was declined. In the Island of Bourbon the Northern Chinese have been found to answer extremely well, and very many of them have voluntarily renewed their agreements when expired, but at an increased rate of wages. In Mauritius they were found to be troublesome, and many had to be sent back to Penang, but as they were originally the very offscourings of that settlement it is not to be wondered at. Of 800 coolies sent to Havana in 1847, per Spanish brig " Oquendo," and British ship "Duke of Argyle," from Amoy, nothing authentic is known, excepting that the speculators Spanish merchants resident in Manila), lost very considerably by the operation, and that one of the Coolies returned to Hong Kong and Amoy in about 10 months after leaving, with no less a sum than 16,000 dollars in gold, which he realized in that short time by practising as a physician. Havana being a slave colony, it is very questionable if the terms of the original contract were fulfilled by the parties who engaged them. The The "Nimrod" took about 120 Coolies from Amoy to Australia in 1848; this is said to have also been a losing operation, and it is further stated, that they were not found to answer; but neither of these cases can be quoted as a criterion of their ineligibility, for the reasons before mentioned as regards Havana, and the well-known and acknowledged objection of the colonists of Australia to the immigration of foreign labourers; and ample proof of the value of the Chinese as such is to be found in the successful result of their importation to Manila, the Straits' settlements, Bourbon and Java. As the English agent who procures the Coolies involves a very heavy moral and personal responsibility by inducing them to leave their families and country for a distant place, where he has no security that the engagements on his part will be performed, while that on theirs are certain to be exacted, the trade is, in private hands, one of a very disagreeable nature, but when the agent knows that he has the faith of Her Majesty's Government for the performance of his undertaking, there can be no possible objection. The Chinese labourers are not affected by a change of climate, and within the tropics are in general very healthy; but like the Swiss, they suffer occasionally from "home sickness," which, when it once makes its appearance, is as contagious as it is in most cases fatal. Its existence can always be detected by a very singular and trivial symptom, viz., the constant doubling of their thumbs; when this is observed, the subject should be removed from the others, and treated promptly, or the disease will extend; the experience of the writer convinces him that under proper treatment, with strict, and when required, even stern discipline, the northern Chinese would be found the most useful class that could be sent to the West Indies as labourers. The terms on which he has engaged them at Amoy for the French Government are, wages three to four dollars per month, free passage to Bourbon, two suits of clothing per annum, house, food, and medical attendance, in consideration of which they agree to serve for three to five years, and to work every lawful day from sunrise to sunset, at whatever they may be set; this agreement is printed in Chinese and in the language of the colony for which the emigrant is destined, is signed by both the contracting parties, and transferred. The foregone remarks embody all the peculiarities and particulars regarding the emigration of Chinese Coolies which have occurred to the writer; some allowance may be made for any partiality towards the northern Chinese, which a five years' residence among, and intimate knowledge of their character and disposition may have induced, as also the apparent prospect of a favourite theory of some standing being at last brought into practice. BRITISH GUIANA. My Lord, Sub-Enclosure 2, to Enclosure 2, in No. 3. Victoria, Hong Kong, 30 October 1849. A FEW days ago I had the honour to address your Lordship respecting the transmission of Coolies from the coast of China to the West Indies. I have since received a private communication from Mr. Muir, who expresses his readiness to enter into the necessary securities to provide 5,000 strong and able-bodied Coolies of from 18 to 30 years of age for this purpose, at the rate of 140 dollars per head when shipped at Amoy, or 155 dollars when landed at their destination, he taking the risk of all casualties, and providing everything during their voyage; these rates to include an advance of 12 dollars, which is to be repayable by monthly instalments of one-half of a dollar out of the Coolies' wages, to commence on their arrival at the port of destination. I enclose, for your Lordship's perusal, copy of the agreements that have been entered into by the Coolies which have been already shipped to New South Wales. Their wages at that colony it would seem are three dollars per month, independent of their rations; but I infer that Coolies proceeding to the West Indies would probably require four dollars per month; at which rate, including the amount of their passage, each Coolie would cost his master, independently of his rations, six and a half dollars per month, supposing him to live five years, the proposed term of agreement. $155 passage-money. Five years) 395 79 annually. - $6.50 monthly. I personally have little doubt of abundance of labourers being willing to embark from Amoy, but I am not equally sure that the Chinese government may not interfere to prevent them, especially if appeal be made to the authorities by the friends or relatives of those about to quit the country. On this subject I believe a report has been made to your Lordship from the Colonial Land and Emigration Board, dated 31 January last. With the highest respect, The Right honourable the Earl Grey, &c. &c. &c. I have, &c. |