Star.
London, England, 1811-04-05 00:00:00


..

P'

. .
He ftlt rt,"hotiever, iniumßent on him to avow his (. ...,.
despair of any iepOrt from the Committee which should ...T11t .EVENING STAIt
lead to any practical good. ' The labour of a body of :-. • -
\ .
free men'conld not be brougheiuecessfully into com-
petition with a body of men coerced by their employey. , . FRIDAY, APRIL 5.
,
The Chinese labourers forinerlicarried to Trinidad.'
did not perform as much work in a month as the ne- I, RETRiAI; OF MASSENA.
groes did in a 'week. If they haa been unprofitable In the.absence of official intelligence from Portugal
to the planter without wives and children, how will
_every thing on the subject of MASSENA'S retreat must
they be tinier the proposed•stipulatirin ? The argu:
be interesting; we therefore present our readers with
ment that negroes could sustain , their population,
he held to be well established by' proof, if any argu.'..the following extract from an Irish paper :
ment could be ; and he, as one of the abolitionists, had i* " SLIGO, MARCH 29.
not maintained it merely' to carry a point. Wherever 1 a The American brig Nancy arrived at Kinsale on
this labour of the negroes had been less heavy, and
. Monday evening, left Lisbon on the 10th. On the
their food more abundant, they had sustained their poi
-71 h MASSENA moved from Santarem in the direction
pulation. An experiment which held out to the planter
an•expectation of repairing the declension of the Negro of Thomar. On the morning of the Bth Lord War.-
race, would not be harmless whether it shoal fail or Lisorou advanced rapidly to Santarem, and that
succeed. He was afraid the Chinese settlers would be. evening reached Dornes, and was expected to reach
doomed to proscriptions and oppressive disfranchise-
. within a short distance of Thomar. Masszaa's fur-
ments and disqualifications similar to those suffered by
titer route was not known when the Nancy sailed.—
the Mulattoes. 'Ho should not, however, oppose the
motion. ! On the 6th ult. the reinforcements under Sir JOSEPH
Mr. HUTCHINSON said, he took that oppottu.. YORKE reached Lisbon, and were immediately landed.
ilk), of declaringthis detestation of the Slave Trade, 0
• is the 7th, Bth, and 9th, they moved forward to join
even as it 'now existed, on which account he would .
give his support to the motion. He hadinany ob. !Lord WELLINGTON.
to giving perniisson that Chinese should be " The utmost confidence prevailed in Lisbon when
encouraged to go from the East to the West Indies.— the Nancy came away, but extreme poverty was visi-
He wa!, afraid, he was certain, that the assent of that 1 ble every where, none being able to obtain a decent
House to such a measure would be abused. Secondly,l
; subsistence but those belonging to the army or navy,
that the dreadful fevers in the islands were such, that
, or such as were attached to these services in some
it would be only enticing them from their native land
to meet certain death. 'Thirdly, that by the provision shape or other, by selling provisions or other neces.
' proposed, they were to be employed for a certain num- saries."
bet of years, at the expiration of which time they
The following is an extract from a communication.
were not to be free, but to have a certificate that they
made at Li.ovt9s this morning on the same subject:
might return to their own country. He would, how-
ever, vote for a Committee being appointed, for the " Extract of a letter from Oporto, received by a
more questions of this nature were discussed the bet- vessel arrived at Cork :
ter—it was for mankind in general.
Mr. HIBBERT spoke in favour of the measure;
and cn the question being put, it was carried in the
affirmative, and a Committee appointed, amongst
whom were,
Messrs. Barham, Lambe, Ellis, Ponsonby, biddy, Wm. Smith,
Wilberforce, Bunke., and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
CHARTER OF THE EAST. INDIA COMPANY.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
rose, in consequence oldie notice which he gave yes-
terday, to submit a motion, in pursuance of an Act
passed in the 33d of the King, relative to the Charter
of the East Imdia.Company. In that Act it was pro-
vided, that throe years' notice being given by Parlia-
ment, at any time after the 10th of March 1811, the
Charter of the said Company should expire—Govern-
ment first paying any sum or sums of money which
might be due by the public. During the same Ses-
sion another Act was passed, for the arrangement of
' ---hich the ims of monr due by the

in that House withont a tribute of respect.—.-(ileai-.)
Mr. Windham considered the plan to be practicable,
and entered warmly into his views. Soon after, his
expectations from it were increased by the intelli•
gent communications of a Gentleman who had been
both in the West and East Indies. He had been
induced then to refer the plan to the Board of Trade,
• bq whom it was favourably received, as well as by
many individuals in Mr. Windham's Administra-'
tion ; but a powerful counteraction from some unex-
plained quarter prevented its adoption; the opposi-
tion from persons in power did not appear in an open
shape, and he could not say who was to blame. There
the matter rested. As no caber person might be dis-
posed to collect snch a mass of facts and documents.
as was necessary to agitate the proposition with effect,
he lelt irresistibly impelled to discharge from his
mind the foundation and materials of the plan. The
circumstar ces of the moment furnished an excitement.
There" was a rumour of the capture of Batavia.—
should this prove founded, one doubt of the practi-
cability of the plan would be removed. Two hundred.
thousand, with their wives and families, had settled in
Batavia ; and they might be removed without much
difficulty. He had information, documents, and
-• proofs to offer to the Committee, which, he • trusted,•
would shew, that the adoption of the plan was de-
sirable and practicable. But there was one •ital
point to be insisted op,. a positive condition—that the
persons so to be imported should continue absolutely
free—that nothing bordering en a new kind of sla-
very should be introduced or tolerated, so as to give
any persons a property in the Chinese emigrants.—
Like European settlers, they might bind themselves
indeed, for a limited time, to a particular employ ;
but the means of return, atter the expiration of their
apptenticeship, should be secured to them ; they
should not be the slaves of necessity. Another essen-
tial pc int seemed to be, that the transported emigrants
should be fitting for settlers. No Chinese ought to
be carried to the West Indies without a •a►ife and fa-
mily. The third stipulation would comprise two con-
ditions.—To try whether the Chinese were capable
of the labour performed by the negroes, they should
not be put to cultivate new ground, but should take
tip the labour cf slaves on ground *heady planted.
Then two years would be long enough to decide the
experiment. In conversations with well informed
persons, he had endeavoured to discover on what
points objections to the plan would chiefly turn,
from what causes failure might be apprehended.
He had not met with any solid objections, but
would name one or two. .First, persons inte-
rested in -the Colonies might object, that the in.
troduction of such a class as the Chinese might un-
settle the negroes, or tate away their opinion of the
superiority of Europeans. The effect, he should argue,
would operate otherwise. Nothing was so likely to
reconcile negroes to their condition as to see a supe-
rior class engaged in the same occupations. Then,

LONDON.

" OPORTO, MARCH 12.
•"
His Majesty's ship Fletacos, Captain HOPKINS,
appeared off hereon the 10th inst. and, after landing
scme money, sailed again immediately for Lisbon.
«• It is genel•ally supposed the French are making
movements, and that some are moving towards the
Bridge of Morsel* but as yet vr,e have nothing au-
thentic.—lt is now ascertained the French are at
Pombal, Redinha, and Espinhel."

A motion made in the House of Commons last
night, respecting the transportation of the inhabitants
of Batavia from their native soil and climate to work
as free labourer: in the West Indies, deserves, and we
hope will obtain, before its adoption, the most mature
deliberation of the friends of humanity.
Already, as most of our Readers must know, have

the manner in we giro. ley
- Chinese been transported to the West Indies as free
Public to the Company were to be paid. The debt I
then due was £1,200,000, of which sum all was paid labourers, and the public ought to receive every infor-
in the course of that year, except £ 1,2J7,559. 15s. mation respecting the principles on which this system
wlaich was the sum now to be paid off ; and notice is conducted, the benefits or evils with which it is ac-
of the payment of which, in turtheralit.e of the said
companied, and the consequences that may be expec-
Acts, it was then his intention to give. The Right
ted to flow from it. When these points shall have
Honourable Gentleman concluded by moving the
following Resoluti ei :--4, That notice be given to been well examined and come to be thoroughly un-
the Directors of the East India Company, that the derstood, we are confident that the remaining virtue
sum of £1,207,559. 15s. and all arrears and interests of Britons will compel its voice to be heard and defeat
whatever arising from the same, being the remainder .
thews, v 1 whether proceeding from mistake or design,
of the capital stock debt due by Government to the
which the abettors of this measure seem desirous to
said Company, be redeemed and paid off on the 10th
day of April 1814, agreeable to the power of redemp- promote.
Lion contained in the Acts of the 33d of the King." Every person at all acquainted with the springs and
Mr. CREEVEY observed, that when a similar no- motives of human action, must be aware that it would
tice was given by Mr. Pitt, in 1791, no step was taken
be fully as reasonable to expect that the landholders
respecting the Contract of the East India Company
until 1793 ; he hoped the same time would be allowed of Britain should put themselves to the expense of
on the present occasion, before Parliament adopted transporting the inhabitants of Bata. i.r to Eneland,
any measures respecting the new Contract. from the mere desire of promoting their iia,i,iness
Mr. DUNDAS said, he did not think it proper to and comfort, as to hope that the Col .ilist, sh ,old in-
enter into any such pledge. Should the East India
Company apply for the renewal of their Charter, he cur a similar expense, iu transporting them to the
thought it would be the duty of his Majesty's Govern- West Indies, from similar rib ,tives of humanity,—
ment to pay due regard to the application. This is self-evident.
The Resolution was immediately put from the If transported as free labourer:, equity demands that
Chair, and agreed to.who
The t . those
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER the system should be such as to l
incur the expense a fair chance to be reimbursed their
then moved a second Resolution, as follows :—,,That
the Speaker do, on the 10th April, 1811, signify in expenditure. How i, this to be effected ? How has
writing to the East India Company the said Resolu- it been executed ? The individuals are removed as
tion,"—which was also agreed to. i indented servants for a certain term of years. When
DISTILLERY BILL. removed to their new country, their services are sold 1
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the for the agreed term to those who need labourers; and,
EXCHEQUER, the Distillery Bill was committed, if the unhappy people survive the term, they are then'
for the purpose of filling up the blanks.
Mr. HUTCHINSON asked, Whether the Right free men I i
Hon. Gentleman proposed to give up the Suspension I Let a man of common sense analyse such a system!,
Clause, which was contrary to the Act of Union ? and see what it amounts to. Men hi the prime of life
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER are removed from their native soil to be put ar free i
said' the suspension was only to.continue four months. nee into the hands of slave-holder: who are to enjoy
The spirit of the Act of Union was not violated.-- If the benefit of their labours for seven—perhaps four- I
they were to adhere rigidly to the letter, Ireland it-
teen years ! and in return they are to find them in
self would be the greatest sufferer, for it would be
inundated with Scotch spirits. A mistake had been food and clothes—such food and clothes as they may
committed in frainiog the Act, and it was necessary think proper. The master will receive the labour of
so far to violate the letter, in order to preserve the the indented man during his prime. The term of his
spirit, and do justice to all. . I service at length expires, finds him worn wit with
Mr. W. SMITH crincurred in this view of the
subject. . labour and pining with disease! but he i. now afire
Mr. HUTCHINSON, however, said he wai not man!! .
convinced, and would take another opportunity of ; Afree man!—Can any abuse of language be con-
stating at length his objections to the bill. 1 ceived equal to this ?—Free, indeed ! His master is
The Bill was then passed through the Committee, now the free man : he is no longer bound to provide
reported, and ordered to be reprinted. The Report
for the support of the man whose vital powers have
to be farther considered on Monday. I. been exhausted in his service; and the poor wretch
STOREKEEPER-GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Mr. WHARTON brought up Estimates of-The is driven out to perish for want.
Sums which may be wanted for the service of the Let Englishmen think oh this plain unvarnished
Storekeeper General's Office, during the year 1811. statemeni ; ;and let the loud, the irresistible voice of
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed British honsanity be heard as it ought, and this new
of, and the House adjourned. curse with which our country is threatened will be
r•
PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. averted ! '- '
s per Cent. Cone. money, 6441—f0r account 4441. "
Reduced shut--4 per Cent. shut-5 per Cent. Navy 914 1 Advice' were Yesterday obtained from Paris, dated
Wacheq. Bills ss. to Ss. pr.—Bonds, 265. 275. preen. the 26th ult. The Imperial Infant was neither dead
PRICE OF STOCKSNESTER DAY. nor indisposed. Nothing had been published respect-
-3 per Cent. Red. Ann. shut India Bonds, 44s to 255. pr, ing the affair at C 4. d' is arid the retreat of MASSENA.
9 per Cent. Cons. 641 65 64 Imp. 3 per Cent. 634
4 per Cents. shut Ex," 1. Bills is. 5s preen. A Gentleman who has reached London from Rif
- it
r

again, how could it lessen their opinion of the supe-
riority of Europeans, when the emigrants would not
be regarded as Europeans. If they were mistaken
for Europeans, it would tend to security, as an addi-
tional force introduced. He imagined another possi-
ble objection from those persons who had promoted
the abolition of the Slave Trade : their concurrence
in the plan might be converted into an admission that
the negro population could not sustain itself. Surely,
having attained their object, they will not adhere to
an argument justified by experience, for which they
have noel no use. No consequent measure to re-
store the Slave Trade will bebuilt upon that admission.
—Another anticipated objection might be, that the ex-
periment had been tried, and had failed ; the Chinese
emigrants to Trinidad had done no good, and had all
gone back. That experiment, he should contend, had
not been fairly tried. The persons carried over were
not of the proper class. Instead of being husbandmen,
they were inhabitants of populous cities ; they were
engaged but for a year, engaged to no particular oc-
cupation ; on arriving at Trinidad, they were turned
into the woods, and were ndt accompanied from China
by a single female of their nation. He should leave
the mode of executing the plan to the Committee.—
The pecuniary aid required was nothing. The project
wanted only, the assistance and regulation of the Legi-
slature. He concluded, by moving that a Committee
be appointed to examine the-expediency and practica-
bility of supplying the Westlndia Islands with free la-
bourers from the East, and report their opinion there-
upon.
Mr. BROWNE stated that he would not oppose
the inquiry. But he must say that the plan was dif-
ficult of execution and doubtful as to any good effects.
He was rather inclined, however, that the investiga-
tion before the Committee should take place. But
the House would readily perceive that before any
thing was finally decided upon, an opportunity ought
to be afforded of consulting those whose interests
might be essentially affected. His Honourable Friend
(Barham) well knew that the scheme was a novel one
—that it might materially alter the condition of the
West India Islands, and affect the whole system of
colonization hitherto acted upon. With the feelings
prevalent in this country on the subject, to which the
present proposition had a close relation (the Slave
Trade) he was apprehensive that. some might come
t.) the investigali•in with minds rather prejudiced.
He trusted, however, they would take care to guard
against any undue bias, and examine the question in
all its bearings- that they would consider the system
of celonization in the West Indies - the state of the
population, and every other 'point in which the in-
tere►ts of so valuable a portion of the British commu.
nity were essentially involved. He was perfectly wil.
ling, however, that an examination should take place.
Mr.WILBERFORCE, after observing that a pro-
position could come from no quarter more deserving
of attention, stated that he would not oppose the mo-
tion. But it would not be understood, that they con-
sented to enter ' admission of
the principles
who proposed
gested that
community
the high and
to establish
appeared at _
Without, therefore,
ticuiar line of
Investigation

the truth. - Ficheq„
Mr. STEPHENprofessedthe most cordial oodwill -- _
I 5 per Cont. Navy in w "•• State X,ottery Tickeis 'Lams informs us that the Russian artillery intended for the
g
Cons. for asc. 64i 45, 44i defence of the rolish frontier bad passed irdna
to •4 plan for introdocins free labour instead of blaverf, 1.011-ABlL..,but • -
• ~470rIrr
• •
pit . •

ter into the inquiry upon an admission of
es relied on by the Honourable Gentleman
ed the plan. It might, however, be sug-
nothing was more dangerous than that a
should be fornitd wholly of two classes,
id the low, and thin it might be beneficial
an intermediate rtmk. So far the plan
t first sight well Wertthy of attention.-7
lerefore, pledging themselves to any par-
of proceeding, they vitt:mid enter upon the
In with the most sincere desire to discover
-- . _