American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-31
The Chinese as Laborers.

p, giving his experience with Chi |
ese labor in the Sandwich Islands, |
addressed to Gen. n. b. Forrest, was
laid before the late Labor Conven-
ton at Memphis:
b. New ORLEANS, July 10th, 1869.
Gen. v. B. Forrest, Memphis
My attention has only this day
been directed to the subject of
Conventi, Il for the immigration of
Chinese, in winch you are interested,
by Col. McGivern. This is a matter
in which | feel a deep interest.
| am from the S ate of South Car
Dina, but for several years have re-
sided in the Sandwich Islands, where
| own extensive lands, and employ
Chinese and Japanese laborers.
| hold commission from his Ma
.jesty, the King of the Sandwich
Islands, which authorizes me 10 pro-
coed to Asia to procure laborers and
colonists for the islands. | spent
many years in the East, especially
in the Malay Archipelago. Whilst
there and in the contiguous coun-
tries, | observed the working and
Development of Chinese cOlOnizat o g.
| have been making practical test
of my experience in the Sandwich
Islands. l have employed different
races and tribes of the Chinese En-.
pire. have employed them to plant
sugar, cotton and rice also to herd
stock, as shepherds, as shearers, as
boatmen, carpenters, butchers, cooks
and as use-servants. 1t is all i'm
pOrtant to select them in China in
reference to the work required of
them. There are striking differences
between races like Hakas and Pun
kis, as between English and Irish.
Some take readily to the pillow and
hoe. Some have great ATTITUDE to
manage stock. Then YOU have shop
keeping and artisan races.
In consequence of no attention be-
ing paid to selection, there has been
great disappointment and mischief
in Peru, Cuba and other countries.
We suffered at first in the Islands
for the want of thorough practical
knowledge. 1t is an easy matter to
order through mercantile house in
San Francisco or Hong Kong car
go of coolies; but when they arrive
they may bitterly disappoint you. 1t
needs al experienced personal selec.
ton to insure the obtaining of young,
healthy and satisfactory Chinese la
borers. would be happy to assist
you in this matter, in connection
with my other duties, being anxious
to contribute to the welfare of my
old beloved home, and knowing how
important ijudicious Chinese immi
grafton would he in the development
and restoration of the South.
| have had much to do with the
japanese, and they are very de
sirable class of laborers. If not quite
so energetic as Chinese, they are
more docile. and would become de
sirable colonists and permanent la.
bOrers.
We have imported the coolies into
the Islands at a cost OF so, and con
tracted with them for five years at
81 per month, with board, lodging
and medical attendance free. IcOnld
now import them at much less cost
| think could deliver coolies in Sau
Francisco for $40 n head and have
talked with Pacific Railroad agents
who think they would be able to is
sue emigrant tickets for $75. L
round the Horn, coolies could be de-
livered at less cost than by overland
but it would be much more desirable
to pay little more and avoid the
long voyage. However, you would
: have to consider the possibility OF
desertion by the overland route. Al
the same time must say that all the
Chinese l have employed stick faith
fully to their contracts. You cal
, work fabulous results with Chimes
, immigration. The mighty reservoir
of labor is ready to flow into YOU
i rich lands.
l am sorry that some important
business will prevent my attendanc,
at the Convention on the 18th inst
| expect to return overland ahou
I the LIST of August to go by steame
, to China and Japan. Should you
+ General, and the gentlemen interest
: ed with you in the scheme of Chimes s,
+ immigration, wish to communicate
+ tiul ther with me, could probabl,
make it convenient to call at Mem
, phis some time between the Goth ant
9th instant. l have been sometim
. in Washington, occupied in referenc
;, to Reciprocity Treaty with tn
Islands, and return there in fey
7 days, and then proceed on to Soutl
. Carolina to join members of my fam
lily WHO return with me to the Islands
!. A letter addressed to me, care Q
4 S. +. U. Odell, Esq, His Hawiia1
a Maiesty's Consul, "a Beaver street
a New York, will receive prompt at
\ tention fl ON
;. Yours. very respectfully,
WALTER M. GIBSON.
Ii. H. NJ. Com. Emigration.