The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-29 00:00:00

1836 to X 6 14s per head, anti have probably risen in 1839 to
£lO per head.
If the misery which would be inflicted upon the large ma-
nufacturing towns might be calculated from the effects which
the stoppage of the export trade caused in 1810 and 1811, the
prospects of the manufacturing districts in England, in the
case of the breaking out of any war with Europe or with the
United States, are distressing.
It becomes, therefore, the double policy of Great Britain
to foster the resources of her own possessions, in order to
increase with her population the demand for her manufac-
tured goods ; and the example of British Guiana, where in
1838, under the most adverse circumstances, the increasing
demands for manufactured goods and other supplies had oc-
casioned an additional tonnage inwards of 10,618 tons as
compared with that of 1836, will point again► to that colony
as the mart where the manufactured goods of the mother
country are likely to find the readiest scale. There is every
fear that the growing manufacturing establishment on the
continent of Europe may shut out British goods from the
European market; and how far the European powers are
anxious to accomplish this, the Prussieo-Teutonic com-
mercial league and Russian ukases have sufficiently shown.
In the colonies alone, from long-continued habits and con-
nections of their population, the supply of British manufac-
tures meets no competition from foreigners.
In the British West Indies, Barbadoes is the only colony
which is thickly peopled. Its population is computed at
104,000 inhabitants upon an area of 150 square miles, or 693
inhabitants to each square mile. The population is there-
fore in such a proportion, that the relation between the em-
ployer and the labourer is put upon a natural level ; and it is
generally considered that in consequence the free labour
system will best succeed in that colony. In order to accom-
plish the desirable object of raising British Guiana to the
state of the island of Barbadoes with regard to its popula-
tion, it remains to point out those sources from which la-
bourers may be obtained, who are suited for working under a
tropical clime.
Africa is the part of the world which for upwards of three
centuries supplied the colonies of European nations with la-
bourers. Abounding in a population which, buried in the
darkness of savage life, were divided in numerous tribes en-
gaged in constant warfare with each other, we will leave the
question entirely untouched, whether religion and civilization
have gained by the drafts which European nations have made
upon those unfortunate beings. The ties of relationship and
country were not torn asunder for making them converts to
religion and civilization ; cupidity was the mainspring of
those acts for which history will ever blush.

Plans have been proposed to establish steam navigation,
and to invite the most intelligent natives of the African coast
to visit Guiana, in order that they may judge for themselves
whether it offer any advantages which cannot be procured
in Africa, and communicate their experience to their own
countrymen ; by which means not only a stream of free emi-
grants might be obtained, but the success of this scheme
would be eclually calculated to further the views of civilizing
Africa. . _ _

The short passage in steamers between the coast of Africa
and Guiana, might induce many to give their assistance in
getting in the crops, and return after having earned a sum of
wages, whisk according to their idea renders them rich. The
orderly and religious state of the indigenous labouring popu-
lation in Guiana could not fail to have the best effects upon
the minds of the newly arrived Africans ; and at their return
to their homes, with the good example of their black brethren
in Guiana before their eyes, a powerful means would be given
of disseminating religious principles and civilization among
them. In this way the philanthropic views of Mr. Buxton
and his coadjutors would be promoted. The planter in
Guiana, however, could not calculate upon the timely arrival
of this assistance, which would be always subjected to cir-
cumstances and caprices ; and although many might settle
permanently, and amalgamate with the existing creole race,
this process is too slow to warrant the expectation of much
benefit for the colony. The most important question to de-
cide in adopting such a plan as an auxiliary scheme of pro-
viding Guiana with the necesary labour is, whether it would
meet the approbation of the British government ?
If the question be calmly considered, the plan appears
plausible, and deserves to receive the approbation of the Bri-
tish government, much as it might be opposed, for well-
founded reasons, to the entire transfer of Africans to an Ame-
rican colony. Under their protection, measures might be
adopted to facilitate this periodical emigration : and its very
nature, that not a permament settlement, but merely their
labour for a certain period is aimed at, excludes even the
shadow of compulsion; Ireland, and several districts on the
continent of Europe, offer similar examples ; and the asser-
tion of the same right which the Irish labourer has at his op-
tion, if he considers himself wronged by his employer in
England, might be applied in a still higher degree to the
African, who offers his temporary labour to the colonist.
The peculiar situation of Great Britain in whatever relates
to the suppression of the slave trade, makes it, I fear, im-
practicable to recruit at the coast of Africa for permanent
settlers. Whatever might be the advantages which might
accrue to the African races from a permanent settlement at
Guiana, the evil genius of the slave trade has spread its wings
over benighted Africa, and the best intentions for the ame-
lioration of its barbarous population run the risk of being
accused of selfish views. The plans of the African Coloniza-
tion Society share a similar suspicion, and are said to be un-
dertaken merely as the first germs of African colonies under
British away. The treasures of the soil, of which that vast
region might be made the depository, and the reward of in-
dustry and social amelioration which await the African from
the realization of Mr. Buxton's plans, are as much exposed
to the mistrust of other European nations, as the scheme of
transferring the African for the same purpose to Guiana,
where there is a field sufficiently extensive tor millions to
reap the fruits of their industry and the blessings of the
Christian religion and civilization, and where the savage would
advance in the career of civilization with greater rapidity than
could ever be expected in Africa.
More effective measures however are requisite, than those
offered by the prospect of distant success in recruiting labour-
ers from Africa, in order to arrest the present decline of our
colonies in the west, and to stay the increase of the slave
trade, which in consequence of that decline has received a new
impetus. I need only to point to Cuba and Puerto Rico for
the proof of the latter assertion, where American and British
capital reap all the advantages f a continued slave trade and
an ample supply of labourers. The prosperity of these colo-
nies is unfortunately built upon the downfall of the British
colonies, suffering as they do the most urgent want of labour-
ers for their rich and luxuriant lands ; and the olny hope that
is left for averting this rapid decline of the colonies, is the
proposition of introducing a number' of Indian labourers,
called Hill Coolies. It appears that this poor race have been
subject to the most abject state of degradation ; and if we
can believe the public accounts, want prevailed in the British
Indian possessions in 1838 to such a degree, that 500,000 of
these miserable beings are said to have died of hunger. They
migrate into India annually in large numbers, in search of
employment, which appears to be precarious, while, if suc-
cessful, their earnings yield a bare subsistence. It was there-
fore imagined by some persons interested in British Guiana,
that if these Hill Coolies, who were starving, were to emi-
grate to Guiana, where an unlimited demand for labour would
ensure them high wages, they would not only profit them-
selves, but also the colony which was to receive their labour.
437 Coolies embarked, therefore, in Calcutta, of whom 16
died on the voyage, and two fell overboard in a violent gale ;
while 419 landed in Guiana. Their terms of contract were
five years service for wages of five rupees monthly, payable in
dollars, at the exchange of two rupees per dollar ; they were
to be supplied daily with provisions, and annualy with cloth-
lug ; as also with medical attendance and medicine.
It is much to be regretted that no proper selection was
made among those who offered their services, and that ne-
cessary precautions were not taken at their arrival to prevent
the diseases which more abundant food, change of climate,
herding together in one room in lieu of separate houses, and
working at the fields without being inured to the climate,
were likely to cause. If some regulation had been in opera-
tion for that purpose, it is not likely that the sickness which
spread so widely, and proved so fatal to the Coolies, would
have occurred.* It was in consequence that the commissa-
ries appointed by the governor of British Guiana, to inquire
into the state and condition and general treatment of emi-
grants, recommended that all emigrants, on their arrival in
the colony, should not be permitted to be located on any
estate, or elsewhere, until the agent for emigrants, or some
other person appointed for that purpose, first see and ascer-
tain that the dwellings to be appropriated for their reception
are in every way suitable and comfortable ; that the labour
required of them should be apportioned to their several cir-
cumstances ; that they should not be called upon to perform
a full day's work for several months after the arrival; and,
if practicable, the wages allowed to them should not be less,
in proportion to the labour performed, than is paid to the
other labouring classes of the community. This recommen-
dation was adopted by the governor, who observes on this
subject, in his despatch to the Marquis of Normanby, dated
Demerara, 14th October, 1839,—" The anxiety to meet the
views of her Majesty's government, expressed by the com-
munity at large on the subject of immigration, will enable
your lordship to assume any position, in protection of immi-
.

grants, you may think necessary. I have already given di-
rections respecting the reception of immigrants introduced
by private speculators, who have hitherto detained them on
board till located. The harbour-master is instructed to se-
cure immediate communication with the shore, and disem-
barkation within twenty-four hours of arrival in the river."t
It cannot be denied that the loss of life by mismanagement
at the first arrival of the Coolies proved serious to them as a
body. Much of it was to be ascribed to the difficulty of in-
ducing them to submit to timely remedies, and to the expe-
rience of medical men ; but this aversion has been overcome,
and wise regulations with regard to their welfare have pro-
duced happy results. Indeed it is evident, that with the ex-
ception of the African, they appear to be better qualified as
labourers in Guiana than any other individuals. It is repre-
sented by official reports that every attention is paid to ren-
der them comfortable, and from all the information which
was procured by the commissioners appointed for the purpose
of inquiring into their present state, it appeared that they
had considerably improved since their arrival. They executed
their work with a cheerfulness not to be exceeded in any part
of the world:

* According to the official returns of the stipendiary ma-
gistrate, dated November Ist, 1839, the number of deaths
which had occurred among the Coolies since they landed
amounted to sixty-three males and three females.

t Parliamentary paper, " 11111 Coolies, British Guiana,"
ordered to be printed 21st of February, 1840, p. 45.

DEATH OF THE COUNTESS OF DYSART.—We regret to
announce the decease of the Right Hon. Louisa Countess of
Dysart, Baroness Huntingtower, &c., which event took
place at her seat, Ham-horse, in the county of Surry, on
Tuesday, the 22d instant. Her ladyship was daughter of
Lionel, third Earl of Dysart, by Lady Grace Carteret,
daughter of John, first Earl of Granville. and was born July
2, 1745. Sbe was married in 1765 to John Manners, Esq; of
the Grange, near Grantham, in the county of Lincoln, by
whom (who died September 23, 1792) she had issue three
sons and four daughters. On
i the death of her brother Wil-
braham, fifth Earl of Dysart, n 1821, she succeeded to the
family honours and estates. .

NOVEL MECHANISM.-At the Thompson Arms Hotel, in
Sunderland, on Wednesday week, during the serving of the
dinner given to Alderman Thompson, the novel sight was
witnessed of a table covered with vians, risin,, from the
kitchen to a level with the dining-room, and, the contents
being removed to the dining-table, the other descended and
again rose with a fresh supply, until the entire dinner was
served u.

ALDERMAN HARMER.—The election of Lord Mayor of
the City of London will take place on Thursday next. Ef-
forts are making to secure the return of Alderman Harmer
to the civic chair, but we hope, and we have the strongest
reasons for believing, that this mischievous attempt will be
defeated. We anxiously await the result ; for the conduct
of the citizens of London upon this ocLiasion concerns us, in
an important respect, as intimately as it concerns themselves.
Will the greatest city in the world invest with the highest
honours it can bestow, WIC who receives a direct profit from
the weekly sale of a paper containing the grossest, filthiest.
arid most ruffianly attacks upon religion and the throne, that
ever disgraced the British press ; a paper which is the de-
spiser and contemner of all that is good and sacred in our
institutions? Will they do this, and thereby stamp with the
mark of their approval the dissemination of principles which
we know to be exercising the most pernicious influence, not
in the large towns only, like this, but in the smallest and re-
motest villages of the empire ? We speak of Alderman Har-
mer merely as the holder of by far the larger share of the
Weekly Despatch: as such, he is strictly obnoxious to the
remarks we have made. The
Even
ev saying
eanl alderman ehritmsh
aatwnohumel
would
agekose
sa n
for
no part
nothing,
t-
tempt to defend himself, b
the conduct of the paper.
since he lives by the paper; but we state
cointtas
la fact within
our knowledge, that he has exercised a
the insertion or rejection of articles.Moral,or the loyal,decisionreligiousof
England is waiting with intense anxietyfor
the citizens of London,—Brtyhton Gasette.