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HEPORT 
 
 COLONIZATION AND EMIGRATION, 
 
 < THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 
 
 AGENT OF EMIGRATION. 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 1862. 
 
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CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 
 1 . Eaactments relating to emigration . 5 
 
 2. President Lincoln's addiess to men of color 6 
 
 3. Danish proposition - 8 
 
 4. Proposition of the minister of the government of the Netherlands 16 
 
 5. British Guiana 17 
 
 6. British Honduras - 18 
 
 7. Liberia 20 
 
 8. Hayti — proposition to colonize the island of A' Vache 20 
 
 9. Chiriqui 25 
 
 10. Ecuador 26 
 
 11. Contrabands and freed men 27 
 
 12. The office of emigration or colooization 28 
 
 1.3. Secretary Seward's circular 28 
 
REPORT 
 
 COLONIZATION AND EMIGRATION. 
 
 Emigration Office, 
 Department of the Interior, Washingto7i, December 4, 1862. 
 
 Sir : Permit me to present a report of tlie progress and present condition of 
 the colonization measures, yet in their initiatory stages, with an enxxmeration of 
 the pending propositions made by sundry States and colonial authorities, all of 
 which are now under advisement. 
 
 At the last session of Congress the following provisions were enacted : 
 
 1. Section 11 of act approved Ap>ril 16, 1862: "That the sum of one 
 hundred thousaixd dollars, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise ap- 
 propriated, is hereby appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the 
 President of the United States, to aid in the colonization and settlement of 
 such free persons of African descent now residing in said District, including 
 those to be liberated by this act, as may desire to emigrate to the republic of 
 Hayti or Liberia, or such other country beyond the limits of the United States 
 as the President may determine : Provided, The expenditure for this purpose 
 shall not exceed over one hundred dollars for each emigrant." 
 
 2. Furthermore, in " An act making s^ipplemental appropriations for sundry 
 civil expenses,'^ ^-c, approved July 12, 1862, I have the following provision : 
 " To enable the President to carry out the act of Congress for the emancipation 
 of the slaves in the District of Columbia, and to colonize those to be made free 
 by the probable passage of a confiscation bill, five hundred thousand dollars, to 
 be repaid to the treasury out of confiscated property, to be used at the discre- 
 tion of the President, in securing the right of colonization of said persons made 
 free, and in payment of the necessary expenses of their removal." 
 
 3. And again, in section 12 of " An act to supj)ress insurrection,^' 4"*^., approved 
 July 17, 1862, it is provided: "That the President of the United States is 
 hereby authorized to make provision for the transportation, colonization, and 
 settlement, in some tropical country beyond the limits of the United States, of 
 such persons of the African race, made free by the provisions of this act, as 
 may be willing to emigrate, having first obtained the consent of the government 
 of said country to their protection and settlement within the same, with all the 
 rights and privileges of freemen." 
 
 It will be seen distinctly that those provisions link into each other, and con- 
 stitute the foundation of our colonization measures, as proposed and recom- 
 mended in the annual message of the Chief Magistrate, and his subsequent an- 
 nouncements. 
 
 Furthermore, a bill has been introduced during the last session to create a 
 permanent oftice or department, to which such matters may be referred. The 
 President having commissioned the writer with all the powers of the proposed 
 commissioner or agent in such a department, he opened a widely extended 
 correspondence on the subject of voluntary emigration, whilst the President, in 
 the goodness of his heart, for the first time in the history of the country, re- 
 
ceivecl and addressed a number of colored men as representatives of tlieir race 
 in the following terms, which it is all important to record, as constituting one of 
 the most important chapters in the history of the country. 
 
 On the 14th of July, after the necessary preliminary arrangements were 
 made, I introduced a committee of five persons of color to the President, who 
 received them kindly and cordially, and then informed them that a sum of 
 money had been appropriated by Congress, and placed at his disposition, for the 
 purpose of aiding the colonization, in some country, of the people, or a portion 
 of them, of African descent, thereby making it his duty, as it had for a long 
 time been his inclination, to favor that cause. And why, he asked, should the 
 people of your race be colonized, and where ? Why should they leave this 
 country 1 This is, perhaps, the first question for proper consideration. You 
 and we are different races. We have between us a broader difference than 
 exists between almost any other two races. Whether it is right or wrong I 
 need not discuss, but this physical difference is a great disadvantage to us both, 
 as I think your race suffer very greatly, many of them by living among us, 
 Avhile ours suffer from your presence. In a word, we suffer on each side. If 
 this is admitted, it affords a reason at least why we should be separated. You 
 here nxe freemen, I suppose. 
 
 Yes, sir, answered one. 
 
 The President. Perhaps you have long been free, or all your lives. Your 
 race are suffering, in my judgment, the greatest wrong inflicted on any people. 
 But even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from being 
 placed on an equality with the white race. You are cut off from many of 
 the advantages which the other race enjoy. The aspiration of men is to enjoy 
 equality with the best, when free ; but on this broad continent not a single man 
 of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours. Go where you are 
 treated the best, and the ban is still upon you. 
 
 I do not propose to discuss this, but to present it as a fact Avith which Ave 
 have to deal. I cannot alter it if I would. It is a fact about which we all 
 think and feel alike, I and you. We look to our condition, OAving to the exist- 
 ence of the tAvo races on this continent. I need not recount to you the effects 
 upon white men, groAving out of the institution of slavery. I believe in its 
 general evil effects on the Avhite race. See oixr present condition — the country 
 engaged in war ; our Avhite men cutting one another's throats, none knoAving 
 hoAV far it will extend — and then consider what we know to be the truth. But 
 for your race among us there could not be war, although many men engaged on 
 either side do not care for you one Avay or the other. Nevertheless, I repeat, 
 without the institution of slaA'ery, and the colored race as a basis, the Avar 
 could not have an existence. 
 
 It is better for us both, therefore, to be separated. I know that there are 
 free men among you who, even if they could better their condition, are not as 
 much inclined to go out of the country as those Avho, being slaves, could obtain 
 their freedom on this condition. I suppose one of the principal difficulties in 
 the way of colonization is that the free colored man cannot see that his comfort 
 would be advanced by it. You may believe you can live in Washington 
 or elscAvhere in the United States the remainder of your life, perhaps more so 
 than you can in any foreign country, and hence you may come to the conclusion 
 that you have nothing to do Avith the idea of going to a foreign country. This 
 is (I speak in no unkind sense) an extremely selfish view of the case. 
 
 But you ought to do something to help those Avho are not so fortunate as 
 yourselves. There is an uuAvillingness on the part of our people, harsh as it 
 may be, for you free colored people to remain with us. Now, if you could give 
 a start to white people, you Avould open a Avide door for many to be made free. 
 If Ave deal Avith those who are not free at the beginning, and whose intellects 
 are clouded by slavery, we have very poor materials to start Avith. If intelli- 
 
gent colored men, such as are before me, would move in this matter, much might 
 be accomplished. It is exceedingly important that we have men at the begin- 
 ning capable of thinking as white men, and not those who have been system- 
 atically oppressed. 
 
 There is much to encourage you. For the sake of your race you should 
 sacrifice something of your present comfort for the purpose of being as grand in 
 that respect as the white people. It is a cheering thought throughout life that 
 something can be done to ameliorate the condition of those who have been sub- 
 ject to the hard usage of the world. It is difficult to make a man miserable 
 while he feels he is Avorthy of himself, and claims kindred to the great God who 
 made him. In the American revolutionary war sacrifices were made by men 
 engaged in it ; but they were cheered by the future. General Washington him- 
 self endured greater physical hardships than if he had remained a British 
 subject. Yet he was a happy man, because he was engaged in benefiting his 
 race — something for the children of his neighbors, having none of his own. 
 
 The colony of Liberia has been in existence a long time. In a certain sense 
 it is a success. The old President of Libei'ia, Roberts, has just been with me — 
 the first time I ever saw him. He says they have within the bounds of that 
 colony between 300,000 and 400,000 people, or more than in some of our old 
 States, such as Rhode Island or Delaware, or in some of our newer States, and 
 less than in some of our larger ones. They are not all American colonists or 
 their descendants. Something less than 12,000 have been sent thither from this 
 country. Many of the original settlers have died, yet, like people elsewhere, 
 their offspring outnumbers those deceased. 
 
 The question is, if the colored people are persuaded to go anywhere, why 
 not there ? One reason for an imwillingness to do so is, that some of you would 
 rather remain within reach of the country of your nativity. I do not know 
 how much attachment you may have toward our race. It does not strike me 
 that you have the greatest reason to love them. But still you are attached to 
 them at all events. 
 
 The place I am thinking about having for a colony is in Central America. It 
 is nearer to us than Liberia — not much more than one-fourth as far as Liberia, 
 and within seven days run by steamers. Unlike Liberia, it is on a great line of 
 travel — it is a highway. The country is a very excellent one for any people, and 
 with great natural resources and advantages, and especially because of the simi- 
 larity of climate with your native land ; thus being suited to your physical con- 
 dition. 
 
 The particular place I have in view is to be a great highway from the Atlantic 
 or Caribbean sea to the Pacific ocean, and this particular place has all tlie ad- 
 vantages for a colony. On both sides there are harbors among the first in the 
 world. Again, there is evidence of very rich coal mines. A certain amount 
 of coal is valuable in any country, and there may be more than enough for the 
 wants of the country. Why I attach so much importance to coal is, it Avill afford 
 an opportunity to the inhabitants for immediate employment till they get ready 
 to settle permanently in their homes. 
 
 If you take colonists Avherc there is no good landing, there is a bad show ; 
 and so where there is nothing to cultivate and of which to make a farm. But 
 if something is started, so that yoix can get your daily bread as soon as you reach 
 there, it is a great advantage. Coal land is the best thing I know of with Avhich 
 to commence an enterprise. 
 
 To return, you have been talked to upon this subject and told that a specu- 
 lation is intended by gentlemen who have an interest in the country, including 
 the coal mines. We have been mistaken all our lives if we do not know whites 
 as well as blacks look to their own interest. Unless among those deficient of 
 intellect everybody you trade with makes something. Yoii meet with these 
 thino-s here as elsewhere. 
 
8 
 
 If such persou^ have what will be an advantage to them, the c[uestion is 
 whether it cannot be made of advantage to you. You are intelligent and know 
 that success does not as much depend on extenial help as on self-reliance. 
 Much, therefore, depends upon yourselves. As to the coal mines, I think I see 
 the means available for'your self-reliance. 
 
 I shall, if I get a sufficient number of you engaged, have provisions made that 
 you shall not be wronged. If you Avill engage in the enterprise I Avill spend 
 some of the money intrusted to me. I am not sure you will succeed. The gov- 
 ernment may lose the money, but we cannot succeed unless we try ; but we 
 think, with care, we can succeed. 
 
 The political affidrs in Central America are not iu quite as satisfactory condi- 
 tion as I wish. There are contending factions in that quarter ; but, it is true, 
 all the factions are agreed alike on the subject of colonization and want it, and 
 are more generous than Ave are here. To your colored race they have no ob- 
 jection. Besides, I Avould endeavor to have you made equals, and have the best 
 assurance that you should be the equals of the best. 
 
 The practical thing I want to ascertain is Avhether I can get a number of able- 
 bodied men, Avith their wi\'es and children, Avho are Avilling to go AA^hen I pre- 
 sent evidence of encouragement and protection. Could I get a hundred tolera- 
 bly intelligent men, Avith their Avives and children, to " cut their own fodder," so 
 to speak .' Can I have fifty ? If I could rind tAveuty-five able-bodied men, 
 Avith a mixture of Avomen and children, good things in the family relation, I 
 think I could make a successful commencement. 
 
 I Avant you to let me know Avhether this can be done or not. This is the prac- 
 tical part of my Avish to see you. These are subjects of vciy great importance, 
 Avorthy of a month's study, of a speech delivered in an hour. I ask you, then, 
 to consider seriously, not pertaining to yourseh^es merely, nor for your race and 
 ours for the present time, but as one of the things, if successfully managed, for 
 the good of mankind — not confined to the present generation, but as — 
 
 " From age to age descends the lay 
 To millions yet to be. 
 Till far its echoes roll away 
 Into eternity." 
 
 The above is merely given as the substance of the President's remarks. 
 
 The chairman of the delegation briefly replied that " they Avould hold a con- 
 sultation and in a short time giA'e an answer." The President said : " Take your 
 full time — no hurry at all." 
 
 The delegation then AvithdreA\'. 
 
 To this address the return mails brought hundreds of letters from colored 
 men iu all ]iarts of the country, closing in Avith the proposition to inaugurate a 
 calm and peaceful separation of the races. 
 
 And the distant national authorities, learning clearly the sacrifice this republic 
 Avas Avilling to make for the sake of harmony in its social and ciA'il circles, haA^e 
 throAvn open their tropical possessions to receive our people of color who may 
 desire to remoA'e to new and more faA^ored fields of enterprise, Avhere the chances 
 to rise to position, power, and enlarged usefulness are more numerous than in 
 this distracted coimtry. 
 
 The following are the most important propositions Avhich have been made by 
 foreign poA\ers and other parties : 
 
 DANISH PROPOSITION. 
 
 First ill order of time, we will note that of Denmark, Avhich has already been 
 laid before Congress in a communication of the Secretary of State, dated June 
 6, 1SG2, Avhich we copy as a paper Avorth reproducing in this connexion, for the 
 aid of our friends Avho are casting around them for Avell-digested labor laws for 
 the tise of colonies and plantations. 
 
Danish Legation, 
 Washington, April 23, 1862. 
 
 Sir : The Danish island of St. Croix, in the Wef*t Indies, which is a sugar- 
 growing conntiy, has, for several years past, been checked in its progress tow- 
 ards increased prosperity and the full development of its agricultural resources 
 by the want of manual labor — the present rural population being insufficient for 
 those purposes ; and it has thus become an object of prominent importance for 
 that island to call forth and encourage the immigration of a laboring population 
 from other countries. Among the plans and propositions for such immigration, 
 which have consequently been devised by the authorities of St. Croix, is one, 
 according to which it is contemplated to otier to negroes, who, in consequence 
 of the recent political events in this country, may have become emancipated, or 
 who may, at all events, have acquired the right and faculty to dispose of them- 
 selves, an opportunity of emigrating from this country to St. Croix. This plan 
 has met with the approbation of his Majesty's government, and the undersigned 
 has been instructed to favor its realization, and, if the government of the United 
 States should be Avilling, to negotiate and enter into a special convention, 
 whereby the contemplated emigration would be placed luider the auspices and 
 the guarantee of the tAvo governments. The governor of the Danish West In- 
 dia possessions has also appointed a special agent, who has arrived in this 
 country, for the purpose of making all necessary arrangements for the transport 
 of such persons, of the description above alluded to, as may be found desirous 
 of emigrating from this country to the island of St. Croix. The terms which 
 that agent is authorized to oifer to such emigrants are : free transport to St. 
 Croix for all those who engage to labor on a sugar plantation for a term of three 
 years — the emigrants to be, during that tenii as well as after its expiration, 
 treated in every respect, and, namely, to receive the same compensation for their 
 labor, as the native free rural population. 
 
 I enclose a memorandum describing the condition of that population, such as 
 it has been regulated and determined by laws, the wisdom and humanity of 
 which are universally recognized, and shall only add the remark, that any en- 
 couragement in the shape of outfit, or premium, or other pecuniary assistance;, 
 which the government of the United States may determine to offer to emigrants 
 going to St. Croix, will accrue to their immediate and direct advantage, and go 
 to improve their future condition over and above what the laws of St. Croix, as 
 above menticmed, secure to the immigrant as Avell as to the native rural popula- 
 tion. 
 
 Keferring to what I have had the honor of stating above, I therefore beg respect- 
 fully to inform you that I shall be prepared, if and when the government of the 
 United States shall inform me of its willingness, to negotiate and to enter into 
 a special convention for the emigration of free negroes belonging to the cate- 
 gories above alluded to, as well as their colonization in St. Croix, and also that 
 the above-mentioned special agent from St. Croix will be prepared, whether it 
 be under such a convention or without it, to visit the localities in which persons 
 may be found, with a view of setting fairly before them the terms which he is au- 
 thorized to offer to emigrants to St Croix, and to arrange and to carry out such 
 emigration, provided the government of the United States will permit him to 
 do so, and that he may expect in his operations to be allowed such facilities as 
 the case may admit of, and as the government of the United States may be at 
 liberty to gi-ant. Feeling satisfied, as I do, that the moral and material exist- 
 ence, which the emigrant would be sure to find in St. Croix, is all that his best 
 friends can desire for him, I beg to express the hope that, whatever may be the 
 present or immediate result of the communication I have hereby the honor of 
 submitting, the government of the United State will eventually give to this project 
 of emio-ration as favorable a consideration and as much of countenance and en- 
 
10 
 
 couragement as to other similar plans and propositions which may be presented 
 hereafter from other sides. 
 
 I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, sir, the assurance of my very 
 higli consideration. 
 
 W. RAASLOFF. 
 Hon. William H. Seward, 
 
 Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Memora7ulu7n describing the condition of the free rural (negro) population in 
 the Danish island of St. Croix, West Indies. 
 
 The Danish government emancipated the slaves in St. Croix in the year 1848, 
 paying to their owners a reasonable compensation. Fearing, however, that the 
 sudden transition from slavery to entire and unrestricted freedom might prove 
 injurious to the morality of the people, especially if they were allowed to fall 
 into habits of idleness and vice, whereby also the prosperity of the whole com- 
 munity would be serioiisly endangered, the government issued, shortly after, on 
 the 26th of July, 1849, a "Provisional act to regulate the relations between the 
 proprietoi'S of landed estates and the rural population of free laborers," of which 
 a copy is hereto annexed. The general features of this act, which still remains 
 in foi'ce, but a modification of which is now contemplated in the sense of gradu- 
 ally abolishing the fixed price for labor and of allowing a free competition among 
 the laborers, are the following : the price of labor is fixed by law ; and when a 
 laborer engages to work on an estate, it must be for a term of one year, in order 
 that he may not, by declining to work Avhen the crop is ready, cause the ruin of 
 the estate ; but he is at liberty, at the expiration of that term, to engage work 
 elsewhere, or to leave the agricultural districts and to remove to one of the towns, 
 provided he can show any honest means of livelihood, in which case there is no 
 restriction on the price of labor, and he becomes in every respect as free as any 
 white man. Many negroes have already availed themselves of this latter alter- 
 native, and have become owners of real estate. The laborer is also at liberty, 
 at the expiration of his contract, to leave the island entirely. No punishment is 
 allowed on tlu^ estate ; and any complaint from either the proprietor or the laborer 
 is referred to and decided by the magistrate, who is appointed by the crown. 
 The whole aim and tendency of the above-mentioned stipulations in the " Pro- 
 visional act" has been, on the part of the Danish goveinimcnit, to secure the wel- 
 fare of the people, to prevent able-bodied laborers from becoming vagrants, and 
 gradually to prepare the emancipated slaves for a rational enjoyment of entire 
 and unrestricted freedom. The price of labor in money is, for an adult or first- 
 class laborer, 15 cents for each of the first five days of the week, and 20 cents 
 for Saturday. This remuneration, in money, may appear small in this country, 
 but it is the usual price paid in the West Indies, and is, besides, enhanced by 
 several valuable advantages. Generally, all the members of a family, small 
 children only excepted, will have occasion to earn wages as first, second, or third- 
 class laborers ; and they are, moreover, furnished with the necessary food for a 
 week (six quarts of corn meal and two pounds of salt fish) at a fixed price of 25 
 cents, Avhile it costs the proprietor from 35 to 40 cents. Each family is furnished 
 with a good house, rent free, and a piece of ground for raising their own vege- 
 tables ; they are generally well provided with fruit and sugar, as well as bread, 
 and other supplies are frequently given to them by the estate. The lioiu-s of 
 labor are nine to nine and a half hours per day, and very moderate labor at that. 
 Ten cents per month are deducted fi-om the wages of the laborers, for which they 
 are provided with medical attendance, which is excellent, and also with medicines. 
 
 The children are by law obliged to attend school five days in the week till 
 
11 
 
 their tenth year it* completed, and afterwardi? on Saturdays only until they have 
 filled their thirteenth year. The schools are well conducted, and kept at the 
 expense of the government. Nobody is obliged to go to church ; bi;t custom, 
 public opinion, and the religious training of the rural population — which, to- 
 gether with the schooling of the children, for many years jjast, and when slavery 
 prevailed, was an object of special solicitude with the Danish government — 
 cause the churches to be largely attended ; and to see those Avell-dressed people, 
 many of them in carts drawn by ponies belonging to themselves, go to church 
 on a Sunday, impi-esses the beholder Avith a conviction that they are a contented 
 and happy people, and that the Danish laws have proved themselves to be both 
 wise and lunnane. It is, in fact, owing to the wisdom of those laws that the 
 emancipation of the slaves in St. Croix has proved more successful there than 
 that in any other country in securing the happiness and progress in civilization of 
 the negro without ruining the owners of the land. 
 
 The climate of St. Croix is universally known as extremely agreeable and 
 salubrious. The English language is generally, or it may be said almost exclu- 
 sively, used all over the island. 
 
 W. RAASLOFF. 
 
 Provisional act to regulate the relations betiveen the proprietors of landed 
 estates and the rural population of free laborers. 
 
 I, Peter Hansex, knight commander of the order of Dannebrog, the king's 
 commissioner for, and officiating governor general of, the Danish West India 
 islands, 
 
 Make known : That whereas the ordinance dated 29th July, 1848, by 
 which yearly contracts for labor on landed estates were introduced, has not been 
 duly acted upon ; whereas the interest of the proprietors of estates as well as 
 of the laborers requires that their mutual obligations shoiild be defined ; and 
 whereas, on inquiry into the practice of the island, and into the private contracts 
 and agreements hitherto made, it appears expedient to establish uniform rales 
 throughout the island for the guidance of all parties concerned, it is enacted and 
 ordained : 
 
 Para. 1. All engagements of laborers now domiciled on landed estates, and 
 receiving wages in money or in kind for cultivating and working such estates, 
 are to be continued, as directed by the ordinance of 29th July, 1848, until the 
 1st day of October of the present year; and all similar engagements shall in 
 future be made, or shall be considered as having been made, for a term of tweh'e 
 months, viz : from the 1st of October till the 1st of October, year after year. 
 
 Engagements made by heads of families are to include their childi-en between 
 five and fifteen years of age, and other relatives depending on them and staying 
 with them. 
 
 Para. 2. No laborer engaged as aforesaid in the cultivation of the soil shall 
 be discharged or dismissed from, nor shall be permitted to dissolve, his or her 
 engagement before the expiration of the same on the 1st of October of the present 
 or of any following year, except in the instances hereafter enumerated : 
 
 A. By mutual agreement of master and laborer before a magistrate. 
 
 B. By order of a magistrate, on just and equitable cause being shown by the 
 parties interested. 
 
 Legal marriage, and the natural tie between mothers and their children, shall 
 be deemed by the magistrate just and legal cause of removal from one estate to 
 another. The husband shall have the right to be removed to his wife, the wife 
 to her husband, and children under fifteen years of age to their mother, provided 
 
12 
 
 no objection to employing sncli individualt* t?liall be made by the owner of the 
 estate to which the removal is to take place. 
 
 Para. 3. No engagement of a laborer shall be lawful in future unless made 
 in the presence of witnesses and entered in the day-book of the estate. 
 
 Para. 4. Notice to quit service shall be given by the employer, as well as by 
 the laborer, at no other period but once a year, in the month of August, not 
 before the first nor after tlie last day of the said month. An entry thereof shall 
 be made in the day-book, and an acknowledgment in writing shall ])e given to 
 the laborer. 
 
 The laborer shall have given or received legal notice of removal from the 
 estate Avhere he serves before any one can engage his services. Otherwise the 
 new contract to be void, and the party engaging or tampering with a laborer 
 employed by others will be dealt with according to law. 
 
 In case any owner or manager of an estate should dismiss a laborer during 
 the year without sufficient cause, or should refuse to receive him at the time 
 stipulated, or refuse to grant him a passport when due notice of removal has 
 been given, the owner or manager is to pay full damages to the laborer, and to 
 be sentenced to a fine not exceeding $20. 
 
 Para. 5. Laborers employed or rated as first, second, or third class laborers 
 shall perform all the work in the field, or about the works, or othei'wise con- 
 cerning the estate, which it hitherto has been customary for such laborers to 
 perform according to the season. They shall attend fixithfully to their work, 
 and willingly obey the directions given by the employer or the person appointed 
 by him. No laborer shall presume to dictate what work he or she is to do, or 
 refuse the Avork he may be ordered to perform, xmless expressly engaged for 
 some particular work only. If a laborer thinks himself aggrieved, he shall not 
 therefore leave the work, but in due time fvpply for redress to the owner of the 
 estate or to the magistrate. 
 
 It is the diity of all laborers on all occasions and at all times to protect the 
 property of his employer, to prevent miscJiief to the estate, to apprehend evil- 
 doers, and not to give countenance to, or conceal, unlawful practices. 
 
 Para. 6. The working days to be, as iisual, only five days in the week, and 
 the same days as hitherto. The ordinary work of estates is to commence at 
 sunrise and to be finished at sunset every day, leaving one hour for breakfast, 
 and two hours at noon from 12 to 2 o'clock. 
 
 Planters who prefer to begin the work at 7 o'clock in the morning, making 
 no separate breakfast time, are at liberty to adopt this plan, either during the 
 year or when out of crop. 
 
 The laborers shall be present in due time at the place where they are to work. 
 The list to be called and answered regularly ; whoever does not answer the list 
 when called is too late. 
 
 Para. 7. No throwing of grass or of wood shall be exacted during extra 
 hours, all former agreements to the contrary notwithstanding ; but during crop 
 the laborers are expected to bring home a bundle of longtops from the field 
 where they are at work. 
 
 Oartmen and crook-people, wlien breaking off, shall attend properly to their 
 stock, as hitherto usual. 
 
 Para. 8, During crop the mill-gang, the crook-gang, boilermen, firemen, still- 
 men, and any other persons employed about the mill and the boiling house, shall 
 continue their work during breakfast and noon hours, as hitherto usual, and the 
 boilermen, firemen, magass carriers, &c., also dui'ing evening hours after sunset, 
 Avhen required ; but all workmen employed as aforesaid shall be paid an extra 
 remuneration for the work done by them in extra hours. 
 
 The boiling house is to be cleared, the mill to be washed down, and the 
 magass to be swept up, before the laborers leave the work, as hitherto usual. 
 
 The mill is not to turn after six o'clock in the eveniuo-, and the boiling not to 
 
13 
 
 be continued after ten o'clock, except by special permission of the governor 
 general, wlio tlien will determine if any, and what extra remuneration shall be 
 paid to the laborers. 
 
 Para. 9. The laborers are to receive, until otherwise ordered, the following 
 remuneration : 
 
 A. The use of a house or dwelling rooms for themselves and their children, 
 to be built and repaired by the estate, but to be kept in proper order by the 
 laborers. 
 
 B. The use of a piece of provision ground, thirty feet in square as usual, for 
 every first and second class laborer; or, if it be standing ground, up to fifty feet 
 in square. Third-class laborers are not entitled to, but may be allowed some 
 provision ground. 
 
 C. Weekly wages at the rate of fifteen cents to every first-class laborer, of 
 ten cents to every second-class laborer, and of five cents to every third-class 
 laborer, for every working day. 
 
 Where +he usual allowance of meal and herrings has been agreed on in part 
 of wages, full weekly allowance shall be taken for five cents a day, or twenty- 
 five cents a week. 
 
 Nurses losing two hours every working day shall be paid at the rate of four 
 full working days in the Aveek. 
 
 The wages of minors to be paid as usual to their parents, or to the person in 
 charge of them. 
 
 Laborers not calling at pay-time personally, or by another authorized, to wait 
 till next pay day, unless they were prevented by working for the estate. 
 
 No attachment of wages for private debts to be allowed, nor more than two- 
 thirds to be deducted for debts to the estate, unless otherwise ordered by the 
 magistrate. 
 
 Extra provisions occasionally given during the ordinary working hours are 
 not to be claimed as a right, nor to be bargained for. 
 
 Para. 10. Work in extra hours during crop is to be paid as follows : 
 
 To the mill-gang and to the crook-gang, for working through the breakfast 
 hour, one stiver; and for working through noon, two stivers per day. 
 
 Extra provision is not to be given, except at the option of the laborers, in place 
 of the money or in part of it. 
 
 The boilemien, firemen, and magass carriers are to receive, for all days when 
 the boiling is carried on until late hours, a maximum pay of twenty (20) cents 
 per day. No bargaining for extra pay by the hour is permitted. 
 
 Laborers working such extra hours only by turns are not to have additional 
 payment. 
 
 Para. 11. Tradesmen on estates are considered as engaged to perform the same 
 work as hitherto usual — assisting in the field, carting, potting sugar, &c. They 
 shall be rated as first, second, and third-class laborers, according to their profi- 
 ciency. Where no definite terms have been agreed on previously, the wages of 
 first class tradesmen, having full work in their trade, are to be twenty (20) cents 
 per day. Any existing contract with tradesmen is to continue until October 
 next. 
 
 No tradesman is allowed to keep apprentices without the consent of the owner 
 of the estate. Such apprentices to be bound for no less period than three years, 
 and not to be removed without the permission of the magistrate. 
 
 Para. 12. No laborer is obliged to work for others on Saturdays; but if they 
 choose to work for hire, it is proper that they should give their own estate the 
 preference. For a full day's work on Saturday there shall not be asked for nor 
 given more than twenty (20) cents to a first-class laborer ; thirteen (13) cents to a 
 second-class laborer; seven (7) cents to a third-class laborer. 
 
 Work on Saturday may, however, be ordered by the magistrate as a punish- 
 ment to the laborer for having absented himself from work during the week for 
 
14 
 
 one whole day or more, and for having been idle during the week; and then thi 
 laborer shall not receive more than his usual pay for a common day's work. 
 
 Para. 13. All the male laborers, ti'adesmen included, above 18 years of age, 
 working on an estate, are bound to take the usual night watch by turns, but 
 only once in ten days. Notice to be given ]>efore noon to break off" from work 
 in the afternoon with the nurses, and to come to work next day at 8 o'clock. 
 The watch to be delivered in the ixsual manner by nightfall and by sunrise. 
 
 The above rule shall not be compulsory except Avhere voluntary watchmen 
 cannot be obtained at a hire the planters may be willing to give to save the 
 time lost by employing their ordinary laborers as watchmen. 
 
 Likewise the male laborers are bound once a montlv on Sundays and holidays, 
 to take the day watch about the yard, and to act as pasture men, on receiving 
 their usual pay for a week-day's work. This rule applies also to the crook- 
 boys. 
 
 All orders about the watches to be duly entered in the day-book of the estate. 
 
 Should a laborer, having been duly warned to take the watch, not attend, 
 another laborer is to be hired in the place of the absentee and at his expense, not, 
 however, to exceed fifteen cents. The person who wilfully leaves the watch or 
 neglects it, is to be reported to the magistrate, and punished as the case merits. 
 
 Para. 14. Laborers wilfully abstaining from work on a Avorking day are to 
 forfeit their wages for the day, and will have to pay, over and above the forfeit, 
 a fine which can be lawfully deducted in their wages, of seven (7) cents for a 
 first-class laborer, five (5) cents for a second-class laborer, and two (2) cents for 
 a third-class laborer. 
 
 In crop, on grinding days, when employed about the works, in cutting canes, 
 or in crook, an additional punishment will be awarded for wilful absence and 
 neglect, by the magistrate, on complaint being made. 
 
 Laborers abstaining from work for half a day, or breaking off" from work be- 
 fore being dismissed, to forfeit their wages for one day. 
 
 Laborers not coming to work in due time to forfeit half a day's wages. 
 
 Parents keeping their children from work shall be fined instead of the children. 
 
 No charge of house rent is to be made in future on account of absence from 
 work, or for the Satiu'day. 
 
 Para. 15. Laborers wilfully abstaining from work for two or more days 
 during the week, or habitually absenting themselves, or working badly and 
 lazily, shall be punished as the case merits, on complaint to the magistrate. 
 
 Para. 16. Laborers assaulting any person in authority on the estate, or plan- 
 ning or conspiring to retard or to stop the work of the estate, or uniting to ab- 
 stain from work, or to break their engagements, shall be punished according to 
 law, on investigation before a magistrate. 
 
 Para. 17. Until measures can be adopted for securing medical attendance to 
 the laborers, and for regulating the treatment of the sick and the infirm, it is 
 ordered : 
 
 That infirm persons, imfit for any work, shall, as hitherto, be maintained on 
 the estates where they are domiciled, and be attended to by their next relations. 
 
 That parents or children of such infirm persons shall not remove from the 
 estate, leaving them behind, without making provision for them to the satisfac- 
 tion of the owner or of the magistrate. 
 
 That laborers, unable to attend to work on account of illness, or on account 
 of having sick children, shall make a report to the manager, or any other person 
 in authority on the estate, who, if the case appears dangerous and the sick person 
 destitute, shall cause medical assistance to be given. 
 
 That all sick laborers willing to remain in the hospital during their illness, 
 shall there be attended to at the cost of the estate. 
 
 Para. 18. If a laborer reported sick shall be at any time found absent from 
 the estate without leave, or is trespassing about the estate, or found occupied 
 
15 
 
 Avith work requiriug health, he ghall be considered skulking and wilfully absent 
 from work. 
 
 When a laborer pretends illness, and is not apparently sick, it shall be his 
 duty to prove his illness by medical certificate. 
 
 Para. 19. Pregnant women shall be at liberty to work with the small gang, 
 as customary, and when confined not to be called on to work for seven weeks 
 after their confinement. 
 
 Young children shall be fed and attended to during the hours of work at some 
 proper place, at the cost of the estate. 
 
 Nobody is allowed to stay from work on pretence of attending a sick person, 
 except the wife and the mother, in dangerous cases of illness. 
 
 Para. 20. It is the duty of the managers to report to the police any conta- 
 gious or suspicious cases of illness and death, especially when gross neglect is 
 believed to have taken place, or when children have been neglected by their 
 mothers, in order that the guilty person may be punished according to law. 
 
 Para. 21. The driver or foreman on the estate is to receive in wages four and 
 a half dollars monthly, if no other terms have been agreed on. The driver may 
 be dismissed at any time during the year, with the consent of the magistrate. 
 It is the duty of the driAa^r to see the work duly performed, to maintain order 
 and peace on the estate during the Avork and at other times, and to preA^ent and 
 report all offences committed. Should any laborer insult or use insulting lan- 
 guage towards him during or on accoiint of the performance of his diities, such 
 person is to be punished according to laAv. 
 
 Para. 22. No laborer is alloAved, without the special permission of the OAvner 
 or manager, to appropriate wood, grass, A^egetables, fruits, or the like, belonging 
 to the estate, nor to appropriate such produce trom other estates, nor to cut canes, 
 or to burn charcoal. Persons making themseh'es guilty of siich offences shall 
 be punished, according to law, with lines or imprisonment with hard labor ; and 
 the possession of such articles, not satisfactorily accounted for, shall l)e sufficient 
 e\idence of unlaAvful acquisition. 
 
 Para. 23. All agreements conti'ary to the aboA*e rules are to be null and A^oid, 
 and owners and managers of estates couA'icted of any practice tending Avilfully 
 to counteract or aA^oid these rules, by direct or indirect means, shall be subject 
 to a fine not exceeding tAvo hundred dollars. 
 
 P. HANSEN. 
 
 Government House, 
 
 Sf. Croix, January 26, 1849. 
 
 Colonel Raasloff to Mr. Seward. 
 
 Danish Legation, 
 Washington, Maij 26, 1862. 
 
 Sir: I had the honor, in my note of April 23 last, to inform you that I Avas 
 prepared to negotiate and to sign a special convention for the emigration of fi-ee 
 negroes from this country to the Danish West India island of St. Croix, and beg 
 leaA'e noAv to add that I am likcAvise prepared to negotiate and to conclude a 
 special conA^ention for the transfer to that island of Africans Avho may hereafter 
 be found on board of slavers captured by cruisers of the United States. The 
 terms Avhich, as stated in my aboA'e-mentioned note, I am authorized to offer 
 to free negroes emigrating from this country to St. Croix Avould likewise, at 
 least essentially, and as a basis for the proposed negotiation, be applicable to 
 captured Africans, AAdth the exception only that these latter Avould haA'e to 
 serve an apprenticeship of a certain number of, say, five, years, as third and 
 second class laborers on a sugar plantation, during which time, however, they 
 
16 
 
 Avould, in every other respect, be treated entirely the same as the native free 
 rural population. I shall, for the better understanding of this proposition, beg 
 leave to refer to the memorandum which accompanied my note of April 23 
 last, in which I described the condition of that population, and from which, 
 as well as from the provincial act of July 26, 1849, a printed copy of which 
 was annexed to that memorandum, it will be seen that laborers in St. Croix 
 are, in regard to pay, divided into three classes, according to the amount and 
 quality of labor which they are able to perform. The captured African, who 
 generally is almost a savage, entirely unaccustomed to and unacquainted Avith 
 regular agricultural labor, would therefore quite naturally and justly have to 
 pass through the lower classes, and not become entitled to form part of the first 
 class, whicli involves the highest pay, before having acquired the knowledge, 
 ability, and physical strength and endurance of which full-grown men of the 
 native free population of the island are generally possessed. The Danish laws, 
 by which the condition of that population has been regulated, and by which a 
 happy existence has been secured to them, would thus, as you will perceive, be 
 directly and justly applicable to the captured Africans, and be eminently proper, 
 gradually and surely to prepare them for a rational enjoyment of entire freedom ; 
 every means for their instruction in the Christian religion and for the schooling 
 of their children being also amply provided for; besides, the process of educa- 
 tion and improvement would be greatly facilitated by their being made to live 
 with an excellent and highly civilized colored population, and under the special 
 protection of public authorities and magistrates appointed by the crown. I feel 
 satisfied, therefore, that no other tropical country could offer, through its laws 
 and the organization of its society, the same guarantees for the happiness and 
 gradual civilization of the African who should be brought thither after having 
 been rescued from the hold of a slaver, as those which I have above enumerated, 
 and that the arrangement whicli I have the honor of proposing for the transfer 
 of those people to this island of St. Croix would be entirely satisfactory from a 
 Christian and a humane point of view, and would moreover relieve the United 
 States from a great moral responsibility and from the very large expense which, 
 if I am correctly informed, is connected with the present arrangement for the 
 transfer of captured Africans to the territory of the republic of Liberia. 
 
 I avail myself of this occasion to offer you, sir, renewed assurances of my 
 very high consideration. 
 
 W. RAASLOFP. 
 
 Hon. WilliajM H. Seward, 
 
 Seeretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. 
 
 SURINAM. 
 
 The communication of the minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Roest Van Lam- 
 burg, in behalf of his government, inquiring " whether the United States gov- 
 ernment will be disposed to co-operate with the government of the Netherlands 
 in the transportation of free colored laborers from the United States to the 
 Netherland colony of Surinam." 
 
 " The government of the King would desire them to engage, for a certain 
 number of years, (five years, for example,) their labor to a planter, under the 
 protection of the Netherland laws, and with some advantages attached to their 
 immigration into a country so fertile and so extended as is the above men- 
 tioned." 
 
 The general aspect of this country is that of British Guiana. It has an area 
 of 60,000 square miles. The Surinam is the principal river, with a rich and 
 fertile soil highly cultivated, producing coffee, cotton, and sugar. 
 
17 
 
 The population of this country consists of 54,000 negroes, and about six or 
 seven thousand white ])ersons. Such is the preponderance of colored popula- 
 tion in all those countries in South America over whites. 
 
 BRITISH GUIANA. 
 
 The proposition of Hon. W Walker, government secretary of the British 
 
 colony of Guiana. 
 
 To this proposition we attach importance, as the first official expression of the 
 disposition of English authorities to kindly consider our embarrassments as a 
 republican people. 
 
 Mr. Walker came to the United States expressly to form some plan of aiding 
 the emigration of persons of color to the colony of whose government he is a 
 member. He filed his instructions in this office, appointed an agent of emigra- 
 tion in the city of New York, and presents the following proposition in a letter 
 to me, which, from the general interest now taken in South America, I will give 
 at length : 
 
 New York, October 13, 1862. 
 
 Sir : On the eve of my return to British Guiana, I am induced by the interest 
 you have manifested in the subject of the mission with which I have been in- 
 trusted, namely, to endeavor to arrange for the immigration of freed negroes into 
 that rising and important tropical country, to place before you the views of the 
 government, of which I am an officer, and the inducements which the colony 
 offers to the settlement of persons of the African race accustomed to agricultural 
 labor. 
 
 This fine and fertile province, which has now been in the undisturbed posses- 
 sion of the British for about sixty years, lies on the northeastern shore of South 
 America, and consequently enjoys the benefit of the steady trade-wind from that 
 quarter, which, with the natural humidity of the atmosphere, tempers the heat 
 and renders the temperature equable throughout the year. It has an extent of 
 sea-coast of about 280 miles, with an almost unlimited depth towards the interior, 
 is watered by magnificent rivers and smaller streams. 
 
 The productiveness of its soil is unsurpassed, and it possesses inexhaustible 
 forests of the finest wood, of which the export is annually increasing. At pre- 
 sent its only cultivated staple is sugar, cotton and coftee having been abandoned 
 Avholly from the deficient supply of lal)or. The cotton of this colony ranks, 
 probably, next to sea island, in length and fineness of staple, some wild samples 
 having been valued by Liverpool brokers a few months ago at 60 cents per pound. 
 
 The cultivation of the sugar-cane and manufixcture of sugars are and have for 
 many years been chiefly dependent on imported labor, partly captured Africans, 
 partly natives of Madeira, but chiefly from India and (latterly) China. 
 
 The Creole, or native peasantry of African stock, are so independent that they 
 will only work when they and at what they please, and for sixch wages as they 
 choose to demand. When I left, in August, they were earning, men 72 cents, 
 and women 48 cents per diem, and this Avas lower than before the markets at 
 home were depressed in consequence of the war in these States. Boys and girls 
 earn in proportion, or, rather, they receive as much as men and women formerly 
 did. Now, the only labor which the planters can depend upon is that of the 
 immigx-ants, who work under engagements, some for three, as the African and 
 Portuguese ; others, as the Indian and Chinese, for five years ; and this is what 
 makes them so valuable to the planter, so that he not only pays a large part 
 of the expense of bringing them to the colony, but he provides them with 
 houses and land for gardens, rent free, a hospital and doctor, under the inspection 
 of the colonial government; but he pays them for the same quantity and quality 
 of work the same money wages as the native laborer receives. 
 
 2 c 
 
18 
 
 All the work on estates is invariably done by task; one of wliicli is estimaterl 
 to ocenpy nine hours. There is a written rule of 7J hours, but' the immigrant 
 under engagement is only bound to perform five tasks, or forty-five hours' labor, 
 in the Aveek ; he may work more if he pleases, and will, of coiirse, be paid in 
 proportion. 
 
 To show the ease with which property is acquired by industrious men, the 
 captured Africans, in a few years, buy land for themselves, while the Indian, on 
 his part, saves his money to take home. When I left, a ship was loading for 
 Calcutta with about foiir hundred East India people, going home ; they had in 
 money about $40,000, besides their gold and silver ornaments, which tliey wear 
 about their persons. 
 
 But the necessity for labor is so great that if the freed negroes who have been 
 accustomed to work on the sugar, and cotton, and rice plantations, can be in- 
 duced to settle there, we ask them to come under an engagement to work on 
 some estate for three years, at the end of which we ofi'er the free gift of a piece 
 of land for residence and cultivation, in addition to all the advantages I have 
 above specified. But if the immigrant prefer it, he may break the engagement 
 at the end of the first year, on paying two- thirds of the expense of bringing him 
 to the colony, or at the end of the second on paying one-third in like manner. 
 In this case, however, he will not be entitled to the free grant of land. 
 
 But again, besides the enormous area of land never yet cultivated, there are 
 large tracts of estates of which the cultivation has been abandoned, lying on the 
 sea-coast and adjacent to existing cultivation. Now, if bodies of the freed 
 negroes who do not Avish to come under engagements of service on the estates 
 can be sent to the colony free of expense, the government is prepared to give 
 them a cordial reception, and, on due notice being given, to place them in eligilde 
 positions for providing for themselves — the actual cost of the land and houses 
 being repayable by small annual instalments, extending over, say, five or seven 
 years. For this purpose families would of course be preferred, so that they 
 might settle down in village communities and be able to assist each other. 
 
 So far as my own opinion is of any value, I am cjuite certain that the engage- 
 ment system is the best for both parties to begin with, and that it might be 
 beneficially extended, especially to laborers recently relieved from the restraints 
 of slavery, to five years, liberty being ahvays reserved to them to buy the re- 
 mainder of their five at the end of any year. 
 
 It is so important for them to have a house and garden j)rovided for them, 
 and a doctor and hospital in case of sickness, and to be under the direct super- 
 vision of the government ofiicers until they arc in a position to take care of 
 themselves, that I am sure I am consulting their true interests in recommending 
 this. 
 
 The labor laAvs of the colony are framed in a considerate spirit and upon 
 equitable principles. A paid magistrate resides in each district, of which there 
 are fifteen in the colony, whose special duty it is to receive and decide com- 
 plaints between employer and laborer, master and servant. .Should his decision 
 be unsatisfactory, an appeal lies to a judge of the supreme court, who sits every 
 Saturday for that purpose ; and in an}- case resort may be had to the governor 
 himself, who is always accessible- either personally or by petition, and who 
 always, when apjilied to, inquires into the grounds of the magistrate's decision. 
 
 With respect to the numbers of such laborers who would be received, it may 
 be safely put down for the present at a minimum of 10,000 per annum, or, say, 
 one thousand per month, assuming that the supply can be guaranteed as to num- 
 bers and permanency, so as to enable the colonial government to discontinue its 
 existing arrangements for the imjjortation of Asiatic laborers, which is a very 
 important point. 
 
 I do not consider that it enters into my promise to discuss the questions of 
 policy with which this subject may be interAvoveu; but, assuming that the class 
 
19 
 
 of laborers of African descent to wliich I have above more especially attended 
 is at liberty, and is disposed to emigrate, I have no hesitation in declaring- my 
 conviction that there is no interti'opical conntry in this hemisphere which offers 
 greater advantages for their settlement than British Gniana; and I say this with- 
 ont in the least desiring to nndervalne other localities, many of which in the 
 West India Islands I am personally acquainted with. 
 
 They would find the same language spoken; they would find churches, 
 chapels, schools, ministers, and teachers ready, pi-ovided, and anxious to do them 
 and their children good; and they would find not merely theoretically free in- 
 stitutions, but a practical exposition of the principle that we do not regard a 
 man's race or color of his skin as determining his social position, which depends 
 upon his own conduct and character to establish and determine. 
 
 I am not aware that I need add more to this sketch, but should there be any 
 point omitted, or in respect to which you would desire fuller information, I beg 
 you to be assured that it Avill afford me the greatest pleasure to supply what 
 may be indicated as wanted. 
 I remain vours, &c., 
 
 W. WALKER. 
 
 BRITISH HONDURAS. 
 
 Whilst speaking of colonization on British territory, it may be well to state 
 that a tract of country in British Honduras, consisting of one hundred and fifty 
 square miles, has been brought to our notice by that able .advocate and friend 
 of the colored man. Miss Anna Ella Carroll. The land is the property of a 
 gentleman who proposed to sell it to the United States government for the sum 
 of $75,000. The tract is bounded on one side by the sea, and has several im- 
 proved jjlots upon it. 
 
 As a number of persons have spoken of British Honduras as a place desiralde 
 for the colored emigrant, permit me to quote the terms on Avhich foreigners may 
 be naturalized in that country, as drawn from the laws of the country: 
 
 "An act to declare the right and privilege of aliens within this settlement, and 
 to facilitate their naturalization, passed tlie legislature February 7, 1855. Re- 
 ceived the royal assent and proclaimed July 19, 1855. 
 
 "Americans and other citizens wishing to reside in British Honduras, and 
 desirous to be on equality with a British-born subject, can take out certificate 
 of naturalization ; the full privilege is then granted by her Majesty's superin- 
 tendent same as if British born." 
 
 Foreigners can then become members of their colonial legislative body. 
 
 I presume that colored men will find an open door in all tropical territories 
 of Great Britain. 
 
 During the last session of Congress a law was passed whereby the republics 
 of Hayti and Liberia were recognized and admitted to diplomatic relations — an 
 act of justice too long delayed. 
 
 Both those nations are candidates for om- surplus colored population, and both 
 need all the fresh blood engrafted on them this nation can spare. They are de 
 farto colored nationalities, struggling to follow in the wake of the " great re- 
 public." Both deserve our sympathy and material aid; and it is undoubtedly 
 the will of this nation to render them, as separate nationalities, all the aid within 
 our power. Well may we mourn the opportunities past, and we fear gone for- 
 ever, when the nation saw the necessity, but heeded not, grudging the smallest 
 pittance to such ol)jects, until now no longer does the swollen flood of wealth 
 flow in the channels of peace, but, turned aside into those of war, our national 
 substance is being wasted, and growing more shallow every month. But, to re- 
 turn to the review of the colonization propositions before us, I rank Liberia 
 next in order. 
 
20 
 
 LIBERIA. 
 
 This republic, through its president, S. A. Benson, whilst on a late visit to 
 London, negotiated a commercial treaty with this country, through the agency 
 of Mr. Adams, to whom Mr. Seward had intrusted this work for the accommo- 
 dation of Mr. Benson. 
 
 I learn from Mr. J. D. Johnson, the special commissioner for Liberia, that 
 an additional treaty in regard to emigration is desired. He informs me that 
 50,000,000 acres of land, under the jurisdiction of his country, have been set 
 off for the use and benefit of colored emigrants from the United States, and that 
 he is now expecting directions from his government as to the terms on which 
 to negotiate an emigration treaty. 
 
 I trust that Liberiau commerce will somehow be favoi-ed above all other 
 foreign commerce, and that her productions will bring a premium in all our mar- 
 kets. She is the creature of our own effort, and will be the monument of our 
 liberality. Her organized advocates are scattered all over this country ; I 
 congratulate them on this crowning triumph of their efforts, through the liber- 
 ality and enlightened statesmanship of this administration. 
 
 The New York Colonization Society, through its secretary, Rev. Dr. Biimey, 
 lately appointed consul general of Liberia, proposes to carry emigrants to Li- 
 beria, and support them six months for about S85 per capita. 
 
 The American Colonization Society, through its financial secretary. Rev. 
 Wm. McLain, proposes to cany emigrants and support them a like time for the 
 sum of $100 per capita. As a matter of course, all the profits, if any should 
 be made in the carrying trade, go into the general funds of the Coloniza- 
 tion Society ; but it is claimed, and I presume justly claimed, that the work 
 cannot be done for less. 
 
 HAYTI. 
 
 The claims of Hayti for recognition have at last been honored. Commercial 
 relations, however, have not been fully established. The government thereof 
 commissioned Col. Ernest Roumain a special commissioner of emigration to visit 
 this country, and reorganize its office of emigration by appointing Mr. G. Law- 
 rence their agent. His office is No. 55 Liberty street, New York. 
 
 There is a proposition in the interest of Hayti now before the President. At 
 his refjuest, I examined it and prepared the drafts of contracts and agreements, 
 which are now being considered. 
 
 It is proposed to select one of the islands of Hayti, and constitute it an indus- 
 trial establishment, from which the main island can gradually draw enterprising, 
 skilled, and moral citizens, acclimated and ready to take useful positions in the 
 republic. 
 
 Bernard Kock, the gentleman A\'ho makes this proposition, is a practical busi- 
 ness man. 
 
 In a letter to the President he thus describes the island: 
 
 "The most beautiful, healthy, and fertile of all the islands belonging to the 
 republic of Hayti is the island of A'Vache, which is about twelve miles from the 
 city of Aux Oayes. It covers an area of about a hundred square miles, is known 
 to "be free from reptiles, and to have a health}- and agreeable temperature, the 
 thermometer rising rarely above 80° in the shade, in consequence of its exposure 
 to the trade-winds. The interior of the island is hilly, in some places rising as 
 high as three hundred feet above the level of the sea. It is well timbered with 
 mahogany, oak, hard, and dye woods, while in the neighborhood of the coast it 
 is mostly prairie land, and ready for the plough. As would be expected in a 
 country like this, the soil and climate are adapted for all tropical productions, 
 particularly sugar, coffee, indigo, and, more especially, cotton, which is indige- 
 
21 
 
 nous. Upon the north pide of the island is the beautiful bay of Ferret, with 
 an average depth of twenty-eight feet, iipon whose bosom a largo fleet could 
 repose in safety, secure from the storms of the ocean ; and here it is proposed to 
 erect a commercial city, with all the conveniences necessary to such an enterprise. 
 
 " Before the revolution which gave St. Domingo to the colored race, a portion 
 of this island was cultivated by the Duke of Praslin, to . whom it belonged by 
 right of concession, but the French were driven from it, and for nearly a hun- 
 dred years it has been a solitary waste, awaiting the hand of industry to awaken 
 its echoes. 
 
 " Attracted by its beauty, the value of its thnber, its extreme fertility, and its 
 adaptation for the cultivation of cotton, I prevailed upon President Geffrard to 
 concede the island to me for twenty years, the documentary evidence of which 
 has been lodged with the Secretary of the Interior." 
 
 By the terms of the deed of concessio;i, Mr. Kock has the exclusive right to 
 cut timber for commercial purjjoses by paying a part of the amount cut. The 
 government gives him the free iise of the soil cultivated for the subsistence of 
 his colony, while it charges a small sum per acre for all that may be used for 
 cultivating "colonial productions" for the market, such as cotton, coflfee, &c. 
 The rent for the cultivation of these articles is not set forth in the contract, b\it 
 by letter of the 8th instant, in answer to my objections on this point, he informs 
 me that the rent has been agreed on. He says : " The rent which I shall have 
 to pay for this selected land is, according to law, five (5) Haytian dollars for 
 one carreau of three and one-third American acres, to be paid at the end of each 
 year." This explanation makes his contract perfect. We have been informed 
 that the Haytian government grants a premium on the production of cotton 
 that Avill go far to discharge this rent. 
 
 He has obligated himself to commence the cultivation of the island on or 
 before the 8th of February, 1863. There are two crops in the year on those 
 islands. 
 
 He wishes to begin with such a number of families as will make about one 
 thousand persons — men, women, and children — to be gradually increased to 
 about five thousand persons. 
 
 He will give each family a comfortably furnished house, with a garden spot 
 attached, and, without extra charge to them, supply all their provisions, provide 
 a hospital and medical attendance, a church, and school-house, ■with a New 
 England Christian minister and New England school-teachers. With each 
 family he will make a contract for four years, and will pay them more liberal 
 wages than is now |>aid in any of the West India islands. And, besides this, 
 he has further obligated himself annually to divide amongst the colonists, ac- 
 cording to the amount of labor performed by each one, ten per cent, of the net. 
 proceeds of their combined toil and industry, thus making each operative a joint 
 stock proprietor with himself, and henc(' stimulating them to increased exertion 
 by the same prospect of a rich reward. I am free to coiifess that I demanded 
 more for them of the net profits than ten per cent., but Mr. Kock has promised, 
 should crops be abundant and market good, to distribute prizes on the first of 
 January each year to such as have proved themselves worthy. 
 
 At the expiration of the time for which these persons arc employed, the 
 government of Hayti, by a special law, will give to each family sixteen acres 
 of good land, and to each single person eight acres, and, by express provision 
 in the deed of concession, at the expiration of the time the whole island of 
 A'Vache, with its cultivated portions, will thus be divided amongst those whose 
 labor and enterprise have redeemed it from waste and desolation, and we may 
 add that the commerce of the island, if any should spring up, will flow into the 
 hands of the new possessors. 
 
 For the fulfilment of those terms and conditions, Mr. Kock proposes placing 
 his effects and property on this island under mortgage, in a penal sum to be 
 
22 
 
 fixed by the President, and to entertain an agent of this^ government free of 
 expent^e. 
 
 A draft of propri.sed local regulations has l)een submitted, and it is all that 
 the best of men could ask. The insular position of the colony secures full 
 scope to those regulations, and enables the controllers of society to preserve 
 order. A respect for the Sabbath, temperance, the attendance of the children at 
 school until they have completed their thirteenth year, are all retjuired. 
 
 The following are the laws of the republic relating to emigration and the natu- 
 ralization of the emigrant, with an introdiictory appeal of one of their state 
 officers : 
 
 ■" Cull for emigration. 
 
 " ^len of our race dispersed in the United States ! Your fate, your social posi 
 tion, instead of ameliorating, daily becomes worse. The chains of those who 
 are slaves are rivetted; and prejudice, more implacable, perhaps, than servitude, 
 pursues and crushes down the free. Everything is contested with us in that 
 country in which, nevertheless, they boast of liberty; they have invented a neAv 
 slavery for the free, who believed that they had now no masters ; it is this hu- 
 miliating patronage which is revolting to your hearts. Philanthropy, in spite of 
 its nobh,' efforts, seems more powerless than ever to lead your cause to victory. 
 Contempt and hatred increase against you, and the people of the United States 
 desire to eject you from its bosom. 
 
 " Come, then, to us! The doors of Hayti are open to you. By hapjiy coinci- 
 dence, which Providence seems to have brought about in your behalf, Hayti has 
 risen from the long debasement in which a tyrannical government had held her; 
 liberty is restored there. Come and join us; come and bring to us a contingent 
 of power, of light, of labor; come, and, together with us, advance our own com- 
 mon country in prosperity. We will come by this means to the aid of the 
 philanthropists who make such generous efforts to break the chains of those of 
 our brethren who are still in slavery. 
 
 " Our institutions are liberal. The government is mild and moderate. Our 
 soil is virgin and rich; we have large tracts of good land, nearly all unculti- 
 vated, which only need intelligent workmen to till them. Everything assures 
 you in this country of a happy future. For those among you who possess 
 capital, it Avill be easy to find at once a place among us. The country offers 
 them immediate resources. They can count on the sohcitude of the govern- 
 ment, and on its special protection. Our society is ready to adopt them, and 
 prepares for them a fraternal welcome. They will enjoy liere all the considera- 
 tions that they merit ; they will occupy the rank that their respectability assigns 
 them — all the things that a blind and barbarous prejudice refuses to them in 
 countries inhospitable to our race. 
 
 " The poorer emigrants shall have die right to all that their situation demands. 
 The government will provide for their first necessities, and will take the proper 
 measures to secure to them a qiiiet and honorable asylum, as well as to facilitate 
 for them the means of obtaining employment. • 
 
 " It is very natural that you should ask before coming to an unknown country, 
 what are the facilities that w^ill Ik; afforded to you, as well for the satisfaction of 
 your first needs, as for your definitive settlement. This thought has seriously 
 occupied the chief of the republic and his government. 
 
 " I proceed to state the determination to Avhich it has come : 
 
 "To such of you as are not able to pay the expenses of your passage, aid will 
 be given from the jmblic treasury. 
 
 "Agents, whom I shall presently appoint in the United States, will be charged 
 to make the necessary arrangements in this respect. 
 
 " On their arrival here the emigrants will find lodging gratuitously, where, 
 during the first few days, their needs will be provided for. 
 
23 
 
 " CTOvernment ■will occupy itsolf from this time with providing means to offer 
 to each person, on arrival, either on private estates or the public domains, suffi- 
 ciently reminierative "work. 
 
 " Every individual, the issi;e of African blood, may, immediately on arrival, 
 declare his Avish to be naturalized ; and after one year's residence he can become 
 a citizen of Hayti, enjoying all his civil and political rights. 
 
 " The emigrants will be exempt from military service, but their children, when 
 they are of the requisite age, shall be held to perform the service conformably 
 to the laws of the country; that is to say, for a limited time, and by the result 
 of conscription. [Par suite du tirage au sort.) This conscription does not con- 
 stitute, in their favor, a modification of the law on the national guard, of which 
 every citizen must form a part. 
 
 " You will have power also freely to exercise your religion. 
 
 " I have spoken here only of the members of the African race Avho groan in 
 the United States more than elsewhere, Ijy reason of the ignoble prejudice of 
 color; but our sympathies are equally extended to all those of our origin who, 
 throughout the Avorld, are bowed down under the Aveight of the same sutferings. 
 Let them come to us ! The bosom of the country is open to them also. I re- 
 peat it, they will be able to acquire, either on the public or private estates, fertile 
 lands, where, by the aid of assiduous labor, they will find that happiness which 
 in their actual condition they cannot hope to find. 
 
 " The man whom God has pointed out with his finger to elevate the dignity 
 of his race is found ! The hour of the reunion of the children of Hayti is 
 sounded ! Let them be well convinced that Hayti is the bulwark of their liberty ! 
 
 " Given at the office of the secretary of state of the interior, at l*ort au Prhice, 
 the 22d of August, 1859, fifty-sixth year of independence. 
 
 " The secretary of state of justice and of worship, charged, ^-(rt?- interim, Avith 
 the portfolio of the interior and of agriculture. 
 
 "F. E. DUBOIS." 
 
 '' Lmci- of emigration. 
 
 ■I. — Laws (lu the emigration into the country of persons of the African and 
 
 Indian races. 
 
 " Eabre Geft'rard, president of Hayti, by the advice of the council of the sec- 
 retaries of state and the legislative bodies, after having considered and declared 
 the urgency of it, has rendered the following laAv : 
 
 " Article. 1. After the promulgation of the present laAv, five carreaux of land 
 will be granted, free of all charge, to every family of laborers or cultivators of 
 the African or Indian races who shall arrive in the republic. This grant Avill 
 be reduced two carreaux Avhon the laborer or cultivator is unmarried. 
 
 •'Art. 2. These grants Avill be deliA-ered AAithout expense, and Avith a pro- 
 visional title, to e\'ery family that shall have made before the proper magistrate 
 the declaration prescribed by laAv Avith the vicAv of obtaining naturalization, and 
 they will be converted into final grants after a residence of a year and a day in 
 the country. 
 
 "Art. 3. The final grants Avill be giA'en in exchange for the provisional grants 
 only Avhen it shall have been ascertained by the government agents that culti- 
 Aation has already commenced on the property granted. 
 
 "Art. 4. The grantee shall not ha at poAver to dispose of his grant before the 
 expiration of seA'en consecutive years of occupation. Nevertheless, he will be 
 able to obtain the authority to exchange his grant for another property, but only 
 on the conditions, terms, and Avith the poAvers aboA'e named. 
 
 "The present laAv shall be promptly executed by the secretary of state of the 
 interior and of au'riculture. 
 
24 
 
 " Given at the national honse of Port au Prince, the 7th of September, year 
 fifty-seventh of independence. 
 
 "F. LACEL'Z, 
 
 " The President of the Senate. 
 " CELA8TIN, 
 "J. Y. MENDOZA, 
 
 ''The Secretaries. 
 
 " Given at the chamber of representatives of Port au Prince, tlie 5th Septem- 
 ber, 1860, year fifty-seventh of independence. 
 
 "W. CHANLATTE, 
 
 "The Preside/ft of the Chamber. 
 "J. THEBAUD, 
 "F. PvICHIEZ, 
 
 ''The Secretaries. 
 
 " In the name of the republic, the president of Hayti ordains that the fore- 
 going law of the legislative bodies be stamped with the seal of the republic, 
 published, and executed. 
 
 " Given at the national palace of Port au Prince, the 6th September, I860,, 
 year fifty-seventh of independence. 
 " By the President : 
 
 " GEFFRARD. 
 " F. JN. JOSEPH, 
 ''The Secretary of State of the Interior and of Agriculture. 
 
 "T. DEJOIE, 
 " The Secretary of War and the Marine. 
 " JH. LAMOTHE, 
 "The Keeper of the Seals, Secretary of State of the General Police. 
 
 " F. E. DUBOIS, 
 "The Secretary of State of Justice, ^j. 
 "VN. PLESANCE, 
 "The Secretary of State of Finances, Commerce, and Exterior Relations.'" 
 
 "II. — Laws on the naturalization of emigrants of the African and Indian races.. 
 
 " Fabre Geffrard, on the report of the secretary of state of justice, and by 
 the advice of the council of the secretaries of state, considering that prompt 
 action is demanded in behalf of those who possess the required qualifications to 
 become Haytians, in order to enable them with facility to enter into the imme- 
 diate enjoyment of the right attached to naturalization, proposes the following- 
 law : 
 
 "Article 1. Article 14 of the civil code is modified as follows : All those 
 who by virttie of the constitution are able to acquire the rights of Haytian citi- 
 zens, must, during the first month of their arrival in the country, before the 
 justice of the peace of their residence, and in presence of two well-known citi- 
 zens, make a declaration to the eff'ect that they come with the intention of set- 
 tling in the republic. They will at the same time, before the justice of the peace, 
 take oath that they renounce every other country save Hayti. 
 
 "Art. 2. Provided with the verbal process of the justice of the peace, setting 
 forth the declaration that they come to settle in the republic, and their taking 
 of the oath, they will present themselves at the ofiices of the president of Hayti, 
 to receive an act from the chief of the state recognizing them citizens of the 
 republic. 
 
 " Art. 3. The present law annuls all laAvs or measures which are contrary to- 
 it, and shall be executed with despatch by the secretary of state for justice. 
 
25 
 
 *' Given at the national palace, at Port an Prince, the 27th day of Angust, 
 1860, the fifty-seventh year of independence. 
 
 " GEFFRARD." 
 
 (Then follow the siignatures of varions officials, as in the previous law. Both 
 of these laAvs were iinanimonsly passed throngh both branches of the legislature.) 
 
 CHIRIUUI. 
 
 The proposition of Mr. A. W. Thomjison to colonize that portion of Chiriqui 
 in the republic of New Granada, or United States of Colombia, as it is now 
 called, which he claims under certain deeds and grants from the authorities of 
 that country, containing about 2,000,000 acres, more or less, and stretching 
 from sea to sea, including on the northeast side the important harbor of the 
 Chiriqui lagoon. On his proposition a contract was closed with him on the 
 12th of September ultimo, containing the following provisions : 
 
 It provides that the Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, as special agent of the government, 
 acting as such without compensation, shall examine the titles of said Thomp- 
 son, the location of the lands and adaptation for purposes of settlement. If all 
 this " be found correct by said Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, who is to be the judge 
 thereof, then the said Pomeroy is hereby authorized, on behalf of the United 
 States, to order a contract for such works, improvements, and sites as are 
 hereinafter set forth." 
 
 The agricultural lands within the said grants shall be open to all colored 
 emigrants from the United States, and be conveyed to them in fee simple in 
 quantities as follows : For each male adult, unmarried, 20 acres ; for each head 
 of a family of five persons and under, 40 acres ; and for each head of a family 
 of more than five persons, SO acres. The lands to be surveyed at the expense 
 of Thompson, but the money therefor advanced by the United States not to 
 exceed at one time more than $10,000. They are to be conveyed to emigrants 
 by the Secretary of the Interior and the officers of the (colonization) depart- 
 ment, who are to be empowered with a perpetual power by said Thompson to 
 convey to emigrants as above, Thompson reserving the right to convey, as 
 above, to coloi*ed men. Thompson reserves all coal and minerals on said lands 
 thus granted, and all town sites to be laid off by him, the right of way for all 
 roads of every description, with the right to enter on said lands for timber and 
 stone to construct and maintain the road. The United States to pay $1 per 
 acre for the lands allotted until one hundred thousand acres have been allotted, 
 30 per cent, to go to Thompson, and 70 per cent, to necessary improvements, 
 such as roads, Avharves, ifcc. 
 
 So soon as Senator Pomeroy pronounces the site eligible for colonization, 
 &c., the United States are to advance $50,000 to Thompson to open coal and 
 other mines, to be repaid in coal delivered at the harbor ; the emigration to be 
 carried on by Senator Pomeroy or some one appointed by the President. Mr. 
 Thompson and family, artisans, surveyors, and laborers are privileged to voyage 
 free in the emigrant vessels, he providing the necessary commissary stores for 
 them ; the number to be restricted to fifteen persons for each voyage. 
 
 The vessels to be employed by said Thompson to be at the service of the 
 governments of the United States of Colombia or the United States of America, 
 to enable them to maintain order in the Isthmus of Chiriqui, for which they 
 will pay reasonable rates of compensation ; the wharves to be free of charge to 
 those two powers ; Mr. Thompson to be responsible for the conduct of the 
 people of color he receives on his lands. 
 
 The execution of this contract was committed to Senator Pomeroy as a special 
 agent, and the sum of $25,000 placed in his hands to enable him to proceed. 
 Of this transaction, so f;ir as its terms and documentary matter are concerned. 
 
26 
 
 we remained in ig-norance up to the 12tli of this mouth, when the papers of the 
 case first came to hand, so that we can tell but little of the progress made. 
 
 It has been our desire from the time that this locality was first brought to our 
 notice to see a settlement of colored men planted on the lands of Chiriqui, which 
 contains one of the most desirable harbors on the northeastern shore of the 
 isthmus; but the conflict of title and jurisdiction lately disclosed between the 
 States of Costa Rica and New Granada has caused the State Department to 
 injoin further progress until those tu-o states permit the settlement at that point. 
 The state of New Granada, or the United States of Colombia, as the country 
 is now called, desires our colored emigrants, and will receive them on equal 
 terms of citizenship with its native population. I have been informed by letter 
 of the 15th of October, Avritten by a gentleman in the interest of the existing 
 government of that country, that other portions of that coiintry are open as well 
 as the lands of Chiriqui. He writes : " I learn that besides Cauca," (a province 
 previously recommended,) " that the valley of the Magdalena is open to the 
 colored emigrants ; but, above all, the great river Atrata, which has an 
 Atlantic port and is on the regular route of trade from New York to the "West 
 Indies. This is a stream large enough to float frigates seventy miles from its 
 mouth, passing through a gold country. * * It is the great link in 
 the Pacific ship canal so long talked about. It has a town at its head and a port 
 at its mouth. It has a good ti-ade with the West Indies, and is within a few 
 days' steam of New York." This magnificent country is thrown open to the 
 colored man, A\'here wealth, liberty, and usefuluess await him. 
 
 ECUADOR. 
 
 As pertinent to this section of South America just noted above, I will submit 
 an abstract of a communication from a senator of Ecuador, addressed to me, offering 
 to sell large tracts of country therein. The paper is valuable as a descriptive 
 document, and its points may attract the eye of our colored people. I will state 
 that it is not proposed to locate colonies on the western coast of South America, 
 but that is no reason why the more enterprising of our colored people may not 
 work their way over to that inviting country. I believe Senator Mala is the first 
 Spanish landholder of large means that opens the door to them in South America. 
 
 Senator Mala "is the proprietor of a tract of territory on the shores of the 
 river Suya, which empties into the Gulf of Giiayaquil. Temperature, 27^ Reau- 
 mur, producing cocoa, cotton, coffee, sugar-cane, rice, &:c.; also abounding in 
 timber of a valuable quality for building," &c. 
 
 He offers this pi'operty for the location of a colony, (price not stated,) but sug- 
 gests that the payments be made in ten annual instalments. He offers to donate 
 100 acres of land in the centre of the tract, on Avhich to found a tOAvn. 
 
 He states "that the fertility of the soil is as great as that on the banks of the 
 Nile. An acre will produce 500 pounds of cotton, the plant being not an annual 
 but perpetual shrub, growing from ten to twelve feet high ; that one pound of 
 rice will produce two hundred pounds. 
 
 "No epidemic or pestilential diseases of any kind are known on the Suya, nor 
 is the existence of yellow fever, black vomit, cholera morbus, nor any of the 
 pestilences of the Levant known. As regards intermittent fever and fever and 
 ague, it is well known those diseases are not contracted by the African race. 
 
 " Slavery has been abolished in Ecuador : men of color live on equality with 
 the whites. The laws are favorable to emigrants : new colonists are exempted 
 from tax for a period of ten years. They can organize themselves as they Avish 
 in their municipal systems, and elect their own authorities." 
 
 After discussing the social questions at issue hi this AA'ar of sections, the 
 senator further remarks, as descriptiA'e, in regard to colonists : 
 
 " That if located cni the Suya, rlicy could euijiloy tlu-mseh-es in cutting timber, 
 
27 
 
 which is very valuable at Guayaquil, and from whence it is exported in large 
 quantities to Peru ; whilst they could gather of the valuable gums and rosins 
 an abiiudance in the forests of the country." 
 
 After the colonization of the Suya, he offers 1 00,000 acres on the fertile 
 coasts of the province of Esmeraldas, (Ecuador,) or from one to two million 
 acres on the shores of the Santiago, Pastora, and Napo, tributary rivers of the 
 Amazon. 
 
 He desires to lend his services to the unfortunate negro race, and is certain of 
 success by making them landed proprietors in his country, where they can help 
 themselves and add to the cotton industry of the world. 
 
 I will close this abstract by giving the literal translation of the last paragraph 
 of his letter : 
 
 " The government of the United States should give the preference to Ecuador 
 in this project. This country is destined to found a vast commerce with the 
 United States — the country of cereal productions and industry. By centupli- 
 cating the population of Ecuador by the importation of African blood on its 
 ardent coasts, and in constructing a national road, a mercantile movement of 
 great magnitude would be developed between the two countries. 
 
 " The vegetable riches which the coasts of Ecuador abound in are at present 
 unknoAvn treasures to the scientific and industrial world. A current of emigra- 
 tion from North America Avould be a second voyage of Columbus, for it is clear 
 that no other means but the mercantile navy of the United States Avould be 
 used to i-eceive and transport the productions of the American negro colony, or 
 to provide them with clothes and other necessarv articles. 
 
 " BEXIGNA MALA, Semtorr 
 t 
 
 ( 0.\TRABA.\D8 AND FREEDME\. 
 
 Before closing this report I would call attention to the tens of thousands of 
 freedmen cast on the coimtry by the condition of ^'ar, and respectfully ask the 
 power to come to the relief of such as may wish to remove out of the country. 
 Those people are unsettled and in a wandering condition. Strangers to the peo- 
 ple of the north, and fearing the people of the south, they want a secm'e and 
 permanent home, far removed from danger and the prejudice of caste. The 
 question that the practical man asks is. Where shall such a home be found ? 
 I have stated the above propositions and plans in answer to this ; but how to 
 effectually relieve by prompt aid is the next question. 
 
 In answer to this I will venture the suggestion : Let the government em- 
 power this office to extend aid to all the parties who can present clear evidence 
 of their benevolent intentions to aid the freedman, or man of color, to a secure 
 and quiet home within the tropical belt, whether on this hemisphere or on the 
 eastern hemisphere. If he selects a home within the temperate zone, give him 
 the liberty to settle there; but if, as a nation, Ave are so impoverished by this 
 A\ar as to have but one gift to give, I hope we will be pardoned for so far fol- 
 lowing the convictions of our own judgment as the majority race, and that 
 which has the most at stake within the temperate zone, when we claim that our 
 larger and direct appropriations of money shoiild be made to give permanency 
 and nationality to our colored settlements within the tropical belt. 
 
 I am in receipt of several communications relating to the propriety of includ- 
 ing the free colored people of the whole country in the benefits of the national 
 appropriations for colonization purposes. Our files are burdened with letters from 
 the colored men themselves on this subject. Will not Congress extend these 
 benefits to them? for it should not be forgotten that the law, as it now stands, 
 strictly confines its benefits to the free peojile of tliis District and that class of 
 persons who sliall be made free, or have been made free, by the condition of 
 war. 
 
28 
 
 THE OFFICE OF EMKiRATlOX OR COLOMZATIOK. 
 
 The office or bureau of emigration must needs be a permanent matter, taking 
 cognizance of all African colonial interests, not only those in Central America, 
 but in Africa and the West Indies. 80 constituted, it must needs be the only 
 legal and responsible office to which the legislative department can refer, or on 
 which it can properly call for information in regard to the disposition of the 
 funds appropriated from time to time. 
 
 Therefore, in my opinion, a set of account books should be kept in this office 
 or department, under the supervision of the head thereof, showing the exact ex- 
 penditure and disbursement of all funds appropriated in aid of negro coloniza- 
 tion ; and that those books may be reliable, each draft or warrant on said fund 
 should be coiintersigned by the head of this office, and the amomit and object 
 entered in said books, of which a balance sheet should form part of the annual 
 report. 
 
 I hope I shall be pardoned for thus pleading for circumspection ; but coloniza- 
 tion is a new work, and has many enemies who watch with care all the move- 
 ments of its friends. They are but too happy to discover neglect in the manage- 
 ment of its funds ; therefore, on the very threshold of the enterprise, let us set 
 a guard upon its reputation, or our future movements may be embarrassed. 
 
 SECRETARY SEWARD'S CIRCULAR. 
 
 Before closing this report it is proper to state that the following letter of 
 Secretary Seward, addressed to Mr. Adams on the 30th of September ultimo, 
 lately published in the correspondence of the State Department, must be re- 
 garded as the general outline of the plan and policy of the administration on 
 this important subject : 
 
 " Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams. 
 
 " September 30, 1862. 
 
 " Some foreign governments situated within the tropics, and others having 
 colonies or dependencies there, have intimated to the President a desire to receive 
 siTch accessions to their population, upon conditions favorable to the welfare, 
 prosperity, and happiness of the emigrants. 
 
 " In view of these facts, the President has aiithorized me to enter into nego- 
 tiations upon the subject with the government of Great Britain, if it shall be 
 inclined to such a course. 
 
 " It is not within the purpose, of this communication to present the proj(^ct of 
 a convention, but simply to state some of the general principles which this gov- 
 ernment supposes proper to be recognized in any treaties which may be con- 
 tracted with reference to the objects which I have presented. 
 
 " First. That all emigration of persons of African derivation to take place 
 under the stipidations of the treaty shall be perfectly free and voluntary on the 
 part of adults, and with the full and expressed consent of parents and 
 guardians for minor children and wards. 
 
 " Second. The agents of the government desiring to receive such emigrants 
 shall be recognized by this government and authorized to solicit such emigra- 
 tion, but such agents shall be appointed by such government or with its sanc- 
 tion. Their names, with the dates of their appointments, and the terms for 
 which they are to continue, shall be made known to this government, which 
 shall engage to protect them while peacefully and inoffensively pursuing their 
 occupation, biit shall have always a right to reqiiirc the dismissal of any such 
 agent whose conduct or deportment shall be found injurious to the peace, safety, 
 or welfare of the United States. 
 
29 
 
 " When any government which ^hall have entered into the treaty shall have 
 obtained the consent of a colony or party of emigrants, a record of their names, 
 ages, sexes, and conditions shall be made np, with their proposed place of em- 
 barkation and destination, dnly attested and verified. Such government shall 
 then cause them, with their personal effects, to be received with all convenient 
 despatch on board of seaworthy vessels, which shall afford them healthful and 
 convenient accommodations of space, air, food, water, and other necessaries for 
 their intended voyage, and shall, in all cases, suffer no cruelty, inhumanity, or 
 unnecessary severity to be practiced upon them. And families so emigrating 
 shall not be separated without their consent. Any party of such emigrants 
 who may desire it may be attended by an agent, being a citizen of the United 
 States, to be selected by them and approved by the government, who may re- 
 main with them during the voyage and after their arrival at their destination, 
 until they shall have been established in their new settlement ; but such agent 
 shall be paid by them or by the United States, and he shall be liable to be re- 
 moved or recalled by this government, and may be replaced upon representa- 
 tion from the other contracting party that his proceedings or conduct are disloyal 
 or offensive to the government receiving such emigrants. 
 
 " On arriving at the place of debarkation, such emigrants shall be furnished 
 with plain but comfortable dwellings, one for each family, or with comfortable 
 homes in the families of resident inhabitants of the country, and either with 
 lands to be occupied and owned by themselves, adequate to their support and 
 maintenance, they practicing ordinary industry in cultivating the same, or else 
 Avith employment on hire, with provision for their wants, and compensation ade- 
 quate to their support and maintenance, clothing and medicines, and an educa- 
 tion of the children in the simple elements of knowledge, which provision shall 
 continue for the term of five years, minors and infants being permitted to reside 
 with tlieir parents and guardians during their minority, unless apprenticed with 
 the consent of tlieir parents and guardians. All such emigrants and their pos- 
 terity shall forever remain free, and in no case be reduced to bondage, slaveiy, 
 or involuntary servitude, except for crime ; and they shall specially enjoy liberty 
 of conscience, and the right to acquire, hold, and transmit property, and all 
 other privileges of person common to inhabitants of the country in which they 
 reside. It should be further stipulated that in cases of indigence resulting from 
 injury, sickness, or age, any of such emigrants who shall become paupers shall 
 not thereupon be suffered to perish or to come to want, but shall be supported 
 and cared for as is customary with similar inhabitants of the couiitry in which 
 they shall be residents. 
 
 " You are authorized to bring this subject to the attention of Earl Russell, 
 and to inquire whether the British government has a desire to enter into such a 
 negotiation. Should an affirmative answer be given, you may transmit to this 
 department any suggestions that Earl Russell may desire to make in the prem- 
 ises, and you will, upon due consideration of the same, be furnished with a 
 draught of a convention. 
 
 " It should be understood that it is not desired by the United States to give 
 to any state a monopoly of the proposed emigration, but to open its benefits on 
 equal terms to all states within the tropics, or having colonies there, which, main- 
 taining free constitutional governments, shall desire those benefits. As it might 
 be expedient to fix upon a definite period for the duration of the proposed treaty, 
 you may suggest ten years as the term, with the privilege after that time of ter- 
 minating it at the expiration of one year's notice to that effect." 
 
 Respectfully mibmitted. 
 
 JAMES MITCHELL, 
 
 Agent of Emigraticm, 
 Hon. C. B. Smith, 
 
 Secretary of the Interior. 
 
54 W 
 

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