The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-13
The Coolie Trade from China to Cube.
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A correspondent of the New York Tribune
gives avery interesting article upon the Coolie
trade, which has become source Of profit to
those engaged In 1t. Various comments have
been made and circulated in relation to this
trafhc-some advocating 1t as an enterprise of
colonization, while others have represented it
as the worst kind OF slavery. This CORE
spondent, who, BY the way, is physician
writing from Cuba, and his name II. Montuy
de Lasalle, says he was on board Coolie
ship as surgeon, bound from Macao TO Havana,
and therefore had every opportunity 10 learn
the nature and consequences OF this traffic In
human flesh.
The loss of life on board ships engaged In
this trade is fearful aud appalling. Such cas-
ualties amount to twenty-five per cent.
The ostensible object Of the Coolie trade is
10 improve the condition Of the Chinese lower
classes; to substitute gradually for the infa-
nous slave trade an emigration of free opera
tives, and to promote civilization in China.
The Coolies, after serving eight years con-
tract, would return to their native country
with money, and communicate the new ideas
they had received abroad
Now all this looks very well on paper. No
doubt the Chinese at home are subject to op-
preston, il-treatment and many privations,
especially the lower classes. In Havana
those who have luckily arrived alive and not
blind or crippled get something to eat and
shelter; and these are the only redeeming
traits OF the Coolie trade. A Coolie serving
eight years In Havana Is, to all intents and
purposes, q slave. His salary is "a per month
In country where the meanest laborer earns
$50. To bodily punishment he is subjected
like slave. When he has served out his
time, the law allows him two months to find
another master or leave the island; IL not, he
Is compelled to work for the Government
The writer thinks the negro slave is better
treated than the Coolie for the simple reason
that he Ia intrinsically worth nearly three
times the value of a Chinese. A Coole in
Cuba will average $3.50; negro Is worth
from $1,000 to $1,000.
Tue Chinese are seldom lucky enough to
get back home, and there has never been
found ship that could get cargo enough Of
human flesh to justify return trip direct to
China. II is difficult to answer the question.
"What becomes Of all the Celestials 2Y This
Is mystery the writer does not wish 30 men,
citrate. There are three kinds Of diseases
that carry of the Coolies on shIpboard-
scurvy, worms aud nostalgia, that is, home.
sickness. The scurvy and worms are produc.
ed by the peculiar diet and temperament of
the Chinese. Salt provisions and salt atmos-
phere have a special effect, quite different
from that which would take place in case any
other race OF men were placed in the same
condition.
The ships that convey these Chinese across
oceans do not have necessary food and other
things to make the passengers comfortable
and to guard against disease. There ia no.
proper ventilation on board the vessels. The
long Gains In the sufocating temperature of
the China and Java seas are productive of
much suffering and disease. which proner
ventilation might In some degree prevent.
domesickness is often so severe among
them that they actually die of broken hearts
or commit suicide. The writer has known
many instances OF death produced from such
causes. This terrible mental distemper which
makes the Chinese despair and drives him to
suicide Ia severe censure on the Company Of
Emigration. The Chinese In California are
not 50 miserable. They seldom commit sui
eide on their way to this State. Once there.
they are apparently contented. The reason Is
obvious. The coolie who goes to California.
goes free man. Such Is the difference be.
tween Freedom and Slavery.
~. onanning years ago described the evils
growing out OF slavery in plain and simple
language. Although the subject then was
not much discussed, nor the public mind but
little agitated, yet his clear eye saw all the
evils and bis eloquent pen described them /
During the past generation, scarcely new
Idea has been developed in addition to those
suggested by his master mind