The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19

or If he commits a crime, he is to submit Il
the officers, who will investigate the case, anC
punish him.
sc. During the term of eight years, when
ever the master has work to be done, he is moi
to avail himself of any excuse to avoid work
nor Is he to give money in place of work. The
twenty-seventh and twenty -eighth sections o.
the law issued by the Queen of Spain, and
dated 22d March, A. d. 1854, having reference
to making void of contracts, together with any
future laws that may be issued, are not binding
on -, but the parties are to be regulated by
| this contract
az. When the coole is sick for fifteen DAYS OF
more, his wages are to stop; but when he is
well again, and able to work, his wages will be
renewed. The forty-third, forty fourth and
forty-Gfth sections of the laws of Spain are moi
| to concern -"
The agent NJ. Laget, agrees, on his part, as
follows
al. He will pay, punctually, each month,
wages at the rate of four dollars per month.
90. He will give, for each day, eight ounces
of salt meat, and of other food two and hal
pounds.
so. Every one that is sick will be sent to
the hospital, and treated by the physician until
he is WELL
"a. He will give, each year, two suits Of
clothing, one flannel jacket, and one woolen
blanket.
So. He will pay the passage and board Of
the coolie to Havana.
"6. He will advance - dollars for buying
things Tor the voyage.
~. When the ship sails, he will give each
one iour garments, and the price of these, with
Tour dollars paid In advance, is to be deducted
from the wages, at the rate of one dollar per
month, until the whole is refunded after which,
the master shall not on any account reduce the
wages.
ut is now clearly stated that the advance
| money aud the clothes money, together about
twelve dollars, is to be refunded in Havana. II
is also clearly stated that, although it is known
| lto the cooiIe) that the wages Of laborers and
slaves In Cuba are not small, still the advanta
| ges which - is to receive from his master
| are not small, and therefore only the amour,
liked IN this contract is required TO be paid
Empty words are no PROOF but this con.
tract is evidence.
Dated Ham Fung, - year, ---- month,
- day."
A slight inspection of this contract is suffi.
Gent to satisfy any one that the coolie becomes
as much slave as any negro in Cuba, except
that he has the promise small remuneration
| for his labor.
There is great injustice, too, in hiring men
at the price of labor where it is at the lowest
rate, and require them to serve a long term OF
years where labor is very scarce and the price
| at the highest rate.
1t IS very eviSent that the power is all on
! one side, and the coolie has no security that
the master will fulfil any part of his contract,
except so far as it is to his advantage.
The coolie spectators make immense profits,
and all that amount, except the actual expense
incurred, is wrongiully taken from the wages
| of the laborer.
There are important differences between the
| contracts as printed in Chinese and Spanish,
showing actual dishonesty on the part of the
| traders.
1t is believed that not one-half the coolies
live through their term of service.
Finally, every fact goes to show that the
coolie trade as now conducted is diabolical
system Of fraud and oppression, and it calls for
the most determined efforts of Christian nations
for its suppression. K.