Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-03-24
MISCELLANY.
THE C00LIE TRADE.
VISIT TO A CHINESE BARRAcooN.

China Correspondence of the New York Tribune
Slavery has always been an institution in
China. The very difficulty of gaining subsis-
tcnce in so densely populated country, leads
many to sell their children, their wives, and
even themselves into slavery, and associations
of China ''brohers," hovo always oxistcd, whose
business has been to buy and sell persons from
one province into another. Among those COM
panies of brokers there have been many hard
ened wretches, who, taking advantage of the
privilege of selling human beings, which, ne
cessity in China has made legitimate not con-
tent with the fruits of voluntary enslavement,
have carried on a system of kidnapping and
man-stealing as well. In olden times, before
the Mandarin Inspectors were appointed, these
brokers would bring their victims to foreign
vessels, force them to express a willingness to
go, and receive bonus from the expectation
companies, as il they were doing legitimate
business. Now, however, so far foreign
shipment of coolies is concerned, the case is
very different, and most dreadful sight which
| witnessed in the neighborhood of Macao, viz;
Three detected kidnappers chained to posts on
the public highway, with burning punt or joss
sticks, placed near at hand that all passcrs by
might burn their flesh, would seem enough to
prevent the repetition of such practices, even
were the coolies not examined directly before
leaving by their own authorities.
To visit the barracoon we pass through the
busy Chinese quarter of Macao, and can only
wonder at the cheerful, industrious habits of
this over-crowded people, and the exquisite
products of their mechanical skill despite the
rude simplicity of their tools. The barracoon
is vast irregular old mansion, with immense
rooms, broad stairs, and paved courts, the whole
reminding one of the old Portuguese palaces
that crown the heights of seven hiled Lisbon
We walk through the different rooms-clothes
rooms, inspection-rooms, wash-rooms, cook
houses, &C.; and we are struck with the admir-
able arrangement and order which prevailed
throughout. Emerging into the court yard, we
find about six hundred coolies enjoying the
acme of Chinaman's happiness-a good din
ner of "No. l chow chow" Rice, fish, vegeta-
bles, and tea, dd lb., form their repast, and
then dolce far mieate with pipe and tobacco.
They have clean persons, clean clothes, clean
sleeping mats and blankets. When we remem-
Der that these same contented-looking China
men arrived at the barracoon in a starving con-
dition, many so cmaciated that life hung merely
by thread, we cease to wonder that their old
ideas of exclusiveness are gradually giving way
to the desire of emigrating to lands where work
| brings at least the necessaries of life. Engag-
ing in sation with these through our in
terpreter, we find them happy in their present
comforts; ready and anxious to start for the
land they have contracted to labor in. curious
and full of questions in regard to the chow
chow (ths chow-chow being the first and last
idea of Chnaman-he seems Indifferent to
most any thing else; and to stop his chow-chow
for only one meal is the very worst punishment
you can infct) of that country, and quite will
ing to acknowledge the impossibility of their
keeping body and soul together in their own
land.
Many of these coolies are from the immediate
neighborhood of Macao, and have presented
themselves at the office of the barracoon, re-
questing to be received; many have been
brought by parents and relations, and others
have been brought from interior provinces by
! brokers. In this latter case their expenses are
paid by the brokers, who forward them for the
price ($1S or 500 which the company offers as
bonus for enlistment. On applying at the
office, the coolies receive, written in Chinese,
the terms under which they will be taken, which
are on printed form of contract, to be signed
by them. They agree, for so much down and
so much per month, to allow themselves to be
transported to designated foreign country and
there to work to the best of their ability for said
Company, or for whoever else to whom said
Company may hiie out their services, for the
term of five or eight years, as the case may be
said company promising to give clothing, food,
medical attendance, etc, during such time. The
coolie is given this contract, which is signed be-
fore witnesses by the company's agent and by
the Mandarin Inspector. The coolie and his
friends agreeing to this, it only becomes neces-
sary that the applicant be over G years of age,
perfectly healthy in body and mind, not con
/ tilmed opium-eater, nor in any way deiormed,