The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-18 00:00:00

" COOLIES.

" TO THE EDITOR OF THE DEMERARA GOVERNMV.T GAZETTE.
" Calcutta, 3.an. 8, 1838.
" Sir,.—We take the liberty of forvvardir,g a circular ad-
*eased to the planters of the British Wc•,t India. Islands, and
shall feel peculiarly obliged by your gie. ing it publicity in your
columns, in the event of your deemi-,g it, on perusal, of suf.
ficient importance as a colonial qv zstion.
" We also enclose for your in'.ormation, copies of the agree-
ment passed between ourselr:ls and the Indians, and the form
of permit given to each Vuourer or, embarking for his desti-
nation.

" We have within the last two years procured and shipped
upwards of 5,000 freo agricultural labourers for our friends at
the Mauritius, ar.d from the circumstance of nearly 800 out
of the number being employed on estates in which we possess
a direct interest, we can assure you that a happier and more
contented labouring population is seldom to be met in any part
of the world than the Dhargas, or mountain tribes, sent from
this vast country.

" We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,
" HENLEY, DOWSON, AND BESTEL."

" To

" Sir,—We Leg your reference to the enclosed circular,
which signifies the Psta bl ish ment of our firm at Calcutta.
" Having been actively employed for the last two years in
procuring Indir.n labourers for our friends at the Mauritius,
we venture to anticipate orders for your estates, earnestly as-
suring you ',teat your interests will meet with every zeal and
attention.

" On making ample allowance for these changes,, we do not
aPprvl,encl that a labonrer sent direct from this country to
Demerara, and engaged to work on your estates for a period
of five consecutive years, would cost, landed there, above 210
rupees, or 211. sterling.
•' Posse-4sing a competent knowledge of the cultivation of
the sugar cane, with the advantage of a long experience in a
sugar colony, wo will undertake (if favoured with your orders)
to select good and efficient labourers, adapted to every de•
scriptio.► of t►cpical agriculture.
tt We are. Sir. your most obedient servanta,
" HENLEY, DO\VSON, AND BESTEL."

" Our Mr. rimley was the first person to direct the atten-
tion of the planters of the Mauritius to the immense resource
which this country offers to the sugar colonies for obtaining
a constant supply of agricultural labourers, and his sugges-
tion has been adopted wi,h the most unecpivocal success.
" The labourers hitherto procured b.,7 us have cost their em-
plovers, landed at the Mauritius, about 100 rupees (or 101.
sterling) per man, which sum cvopriscs six months advance
of wages, provisions, and water for the voyage, clothing, ccm-
missi"n, passage, insurance, and all incidental charges.
" The expense attending the shipment of Indian labourers
to the West India colonies would be necessarily augmented—
firstly, by the higher rate of passage money, and the increased
quantity of prorisi-,us and water ; and secondly, from the ne-
cesity of makirg arrangements indispensable to the health
and comfort of native pissengeri on a voyage of so long dura-
tion, in the cour:;e of wrich they would be exposed to great
vicissitur7e of climate.