The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-03
Affairs Mt Demnrara.
GEORGETOWN, Demarara, Aug. Ia, 1913.
Iha EnnII 0IIcsfi I'M,

ing the COolie emigrants TO this colony OF Great
Britain, have inferred that the subject mi ght be
of sufficient interest tor article your valuable
paper.
the conflicting views of intelligent persons resld-
ing here, would clearly indicate
In giving concise history OF thus subie ct, shall
endeavor TO be entirely Impartial, and not be In
fuenced blythe predictions prejudces of those
with whom 1t is my privilege to associate.
In the wear 1899 about 400 hill Coolies" were
imported from Hlndostan into this colony, and
were aprentced for the term of five years, recev-
ing the current rate OF wages gwen to other labor
ers on the same estates. They proved for the time
to be useful laborers. Unfortunately tor them, and
tor the interest OF the proprietary body, m my OF
them were located in unhealthy rural districts;
and the fatality attending their acclimatlon, gave
rise TO the Misrepresentation abroad of lts being in
effect, revival of the slave trade which was the
cause, probably, of the British government discon-
tinuins. Tor a time, their further i'm portatlon.
BY the conditions made with these emigrants
they had the privilege, after five years residence
OF electing to remain in the colony, or OF being
transported to their native country, at the public
expence. Most of them chose to return to their
native land, carrying with them the proceeds OF
their industry.
Immediately after the emancipation of the ne
groes, the competition for securing the services OF
the laborers became very I've among the plant
ers, called here the proprietary body AS an
opportunity. was afforded to the blacks to select
the plantation on which to labor, Cor not to labor
at all the proprieto OF estates made every effort
by eIing superior accommodations, to induce
their former slaves to remain, and to entce labor
ers from other estates.
An immense expenditure was incurred in erect
ing comfortable buildings for the now free labor
ers: and many of the plantations presented the APP
pearance OF villages, provided with church, and
furnished with school house, The prices paid
Tor labor at this time could only find an apology
by the high commercial value OF sugar, almo st
the sole product of the plantations. This article
having since receded nearly one half in price,
the proprietor attempt d a CORRESPONDING reduc-
employment at less than his former price. Thus
was the planter and his employees at an Issue
that could notbe reconclled
The, savings of the blacks had in most cases
been husbanded, and they were many OF them,
In condition to purchase small lot of ground,
and erect tor themselves an humble cottage.
In several instances, combination was formed,
and an abandoned estate purchased, and
village at once sprung into existence.
have recently visited one OF these rural vii
lagos, called Buxton, numbering about one thou
sand houses, with population of about four thou
sand aborers.
This entire population can procure labor
neighboring estates, whenever they wish for en-
poymen: but, subject they have been to few
wants, which are most abundontly supplied from
uxuriant soil, with t,ihing exernon, and cll-
mate SO mild as to render clothing matter with
them TT little moment; they decline the profiered
service, and bask in the sunshine of lazy and
thrltess independence.
AS natural result of this withdrawal of the
producing class from state of activity to that
OF 1dleness, the cultivation OF greater or less
portion OF most estates was abandoned, and some
few quite unfavorably situated were entirely de-
serted. In tropical climate vegetation Is so
luXurlant that short intermission of labor pro-
duces most disastrous results TO the proprietor. 1t
is especially so IN Demarara, where the country
hes so low as TO require the most perfect system OF
drainage TO prepare the land tor ullage. by ne
glect, the canals are soon filled, and marsh
usurps the place OF waving cane fields shortly to
be succeeded by forest that becomes almost inn
peneirable from the myrads OF vines and creepers
a bptN at
Its lmpervious solltudes. The colony, with an
equal or greater amount OF material for producing
had rellnquished the control and direction OF that
material, and presented picture of gloom and
prospective desolauon.
At this crisis, in lS45, her majesty's govern
ment renewed the introduction of an unlimited
number of Coolies, to De brought from Calcutta
and Madras, under certain restrictions.
This colony was required to pay all the expenses
OF their Importation, and guarantee to them re-
turn passage at the expiration OF five years, should
they desire 1t. The Coolies were to be lett tree,
TO work when and where they pleased
The Court OF Policy, with the consent OF the
governor voted the sum of half a mullen sterling
for emigration purposes, TO be borrowed In Eng
land upon bonds to be secured UPON the revenue
OF British Guiana. Her malesty's government
appointed commissioners under that ordinance,
for the purpose of borrowing, managing and ex-
pending this fund, by chartering and licensing
ships 10 20 to India, Tor the purpose OF conveying
the Coolies to this colony. An agent was also
appointed by the commissioners, tor the ports OF
collecting anG assisting the emigrants In their
embarkatlon.
As result of these arrangements, over 10000
Coolies have been brought INTO tins colony du-
ring the past two years To this, we might add,
thai during the same period equal number OF
Portuguese and Africans have been introduced
The two latter have proved valuable acquisition;
but the former mustbs considered failure, SO lar
a. any advantage has resulted to the colony. The
poorest specimens of Humanity cannot surpass them
IN squalid misery, with but few exceptions
They are slightly formed, and might be useful.
in performing the light work on the plantations,
such as moulding and wedding the cane but tor
their wandering habits. which prevent the tor
NATION OF any local attachments, and render them
SO uncertain help that no dependence can be
placed upon their fidelity They seem well adapt
ed to bear the climate. and may, upon investlga-
tion prove to be but the refuse OF the population
of India. turned upon this colony at a great ex-
pensc, with all their habits of idleness, and scarce
ly redeemlDg trait of character. There are, ct
course, some exceptions TO this general rule. 10
obvla'e the difficulties growing out OF the wan;
dering propensllies of the Coolies, the Court OF
Policy passed an ordinance legallzng contracts
Tor three years, entered into between the planter
and the newly arrived immigrant, the latterr sceiv-
ing the same wages tor similar amount OF SER
vice the unincented laborer on the same estate;
Earl Grey, however. prohibited the execution OF
this measure, excepting where the contracts are
entered into with the tree consent OF the parties
AS an abstract principle the noble Earl is undoubt-
eddy correct. but from observation am constraln-
ed TO think ii at the of the Coolies forms an
exception to the general rule, and cannot but be
heve that the Court of Policy have pursued course
calculated to benefit the wandering, begging, half
Idiofic Coolies, no less than the planter, and the
entire colony. 1t must be horne in mind, that no
yaerant act exists here and che course proposed
is, therefore, one of common humanity, as well as
selfd efence from the evils inflicted upon society
by such multitude of Migrants our Cody popu-
Iation nos presents
Admitting to Earl Grey the possession of the
most enlarged views of policy, combined with
great experience colonial affairs, even his opln-
ions would, think, undergo a change, could he
personally examine the subject; and he would
doubtless then, from humane feelings, advise the
appointment of guardians where he now refuses
what is equivalent