The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1869-08-21
CHINESE IHNIGRATI0N AND TIE
COOLIE TRADE.
From the New York Tribune

felt in it in various quarters of the country
that correct statement of the points involved
will at this time be of value to our reader:
and the public. In the first place, it must bt
understood that Chinese immigration and
the Coolie trade are entirely distinct in theil
character, conditions, and consequences
| The latter differs in no material respects from
the African Slave Trade. and the horrors OF
the middle passage have been repeated over
and over again upon the Coolie ships bound
to Cuba and Peru. Nearly all civilized ma
tions have denounced this trade and estab-
lished penalties against it. Its seat is
Macao, port which has been for over two
hundred years in the possession of the Per-
| tuguese, and which at enc time was highly
prosperous The occupation of Hong Kong
by the English, and the advantages of its
position and harbor, gave a deathblow to
Macao, and it has degenerated into slave
mart and depot for opium to be smuggled
into China. From this Coolie trade large
Government income is derived. while those
engaged in it have accumulated fortunes.
The money paid to those who are entrapped
into slavery is very frequently lost in the
Chinese gambling-houses of Macao, and
these are licensed by the Government
The Coolies secured and shipped from this
port are among the most degraded of the
Chinese population, and are manly drawn
from the bI 1HiiId Nv
fraud and treachery. Under the influence of
opium, or through the slavery of gambling
dents. OF BY deceitful, vet alluriug promises,
they sign certain papers nominally required
by the Portuguese authorities, and then are
removed to tn C"olie ship. lying from three
to six miles from shore, where they are re-
tanned until a cro~ ded cargo is secured. A
Portuguese gunboat lies near to prevent re-
volt, which is always threatened, and often
occurs. For brief time some degree of
is Observed toward them; but
from the day Of sailing they are treated as
slaves and bru,e>. The tragical revolts which |
have occurred upon these Coolie ships at sea
tell tale of cruelty and wrong which can |
scarcely be surpassed.
Chinese emigra alton. on the contrary, takes
place mainly from Hong Kong. and it is sur
rounded by guards and checks on the part of
the colonial authorities, for which they are 1
entitled to great credit. The number of
passengers i, limited by the capacity of the
vessels; the ships must be supplied with
abundance of water; Chinese cooks sufficient
to answer the requirements of passengers
are regularl, shipped; fuel for cooking is
furnished; and a Chinese physician accom-
,anies each vessel. A full list of the names
,f the immigrants is furnished to the Har-
,or Master; and before departure the ship
: regularly inspected bv colonial officers, the
ist is compared, and the supplies nf food and
water are examined. The greater number
4 these free emigrants sail for California
nd Australia; but they also pour out from
Hong Kong to Saigon, Singapore, Manila,
nd Batavia, and numerous Chinese colonies
re found at all the trading-ports In Eastern
Asia.
The United States law of 1862 was I'M
oubtedly aimed at suppres-ing the Coolie ,
Il -
aving largely participated IN its profits and !
orrors. But that law. by its provisions,
laced an effectual guard upon Chinese emf
ration. II provided that no Chinese emf I
rant should he received on board an Aneri- i
an vessel unless bearing certificate from I
he American Consul at that port that he
ras free person, and not bound to service
nd involuntary LABOR Upon intelligence of
ne passing and approval of the Law referred
,. the American Consul at Hong Kong in
,rmed the masters and consignees of vessels {
its provisions. From that period. after d
ne examination. through an Interpreter,
lie permits required BY the law were dnly
wen to all Chinese emigrants. The name
the emigrant was inserted in the permit, I
nd, under the seal of the Consulate, it was t
'rtited that each was a free person, and not r
,und to service within the meaning of the Il
t of Congress. these names were after :,
ard compared with the list Of the Harbor
aster, and the permits were then given to
e master. of the vessels with his ships u
,pers, when clearing from port. b
1t may be asked, Are these emigrants free a
rsonss There is no doubt of it. They are T
ten persons of learning, enterprise, and
pital. There are il California, in Austria
a. and throughout the East large numbers
Chinese merchants, the equals of Euro IL
,ans and Americans in all that makes bus II
ess honorable and profitable. 1t is true, Il
to large numbers of these emigrants, that i.
cir passage money. and expenses are fire. 4
.ently paid by Chinese companies, largely
gagsd in business and trade in California. .
lere are. in many cases, engaJem : nts en-
red into for the return of these disburse-
-nts, and for certain shares in the profits of :
cir labor. These contracts are often en-.
rsed by the father and family of the de-
ring emigrant. who expect to reap, and
ten do reap, great advantages from his en-
prise. They are simple contracts for his o.
movalto a remunerative field for labor;
Il they derive all their vita lily and force -
I'm the desire of the Chinese to fulfill their 10
legation, obtain moderate competency,
d return to their native land. Under our
VS., these contacts are not binding when
,de for longer period than one year, and, -
en- when they are held by the person as
nditiOn of servitude.
The Advantages of this emigration, not 4
the prejudices agains, it, have 1
en- great and manifold; but the proposition - ~
renew the Coolie trade, under the plea of #