The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Title Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1878. Volume 3. Despatches: West Indies
Date 8 Jul 1878 - 9 Jun 1979
Document Type Correspondence; Manuscript
Reference CO 384/119
Library / Archive The National Archives
Collection Name War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Emigration Original Correspondence.
Description Includes material on the condition and treatment of indentured workers, the flow and demand for labourers around the islands, and requests for the introduction of more workers. Contains material on an emigration scheme to move labourers into Cuba and the rights of workers and Compounders to return passages.
Series Description This series contains correspondence relating to British settlement in North America and Australasia, and to Indian indentured labour in the West Indies. Until 1857 it consists of domestic letters alone. The series then ceases and is not resumed until 1872.
Biographical Note / History A Colonial Land and Emigration Commission was created in 1840 to undertake the duties of two earlier and overlapping authorities under the supervision of the secretary of state: the Colonisation Commissioners for South Australia and the Agent General for Emigration. In 1855 it became the Emigration Commission. The commission's powers were gradually given up to the larger colonies as they obtained self-government, and after 1873 it was responsible only for controlling the importation of Indian labour into sugar-producing colonies. It was abolished in 1878 and an Emigration Department was then set up in the Colonial Office. This department was merged with the General Department in 1894, and abolished altogether in 1896.
Theme(s) Politics, Legislation and Governance; Religion, Ethnic Identity and Community Relations; Remigration
Country (from) India; China; British Guiana; Trinidad; Nevis; Antigua; St Lucia; St Vincent; Barbados; Jamaica; Cuba; St Kitts; St Helena; Guadalupe
Country (to) India; China; British Guiana; Trinidad; Nevis; Antigua; St Lucia; St Vincent; Barbados; Jamaica; Cuba; St Kitts; St Helena; Guadalupe
Places Demerara, British Guiana
Ports Calcutta, India; Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana
Nationality Indian; Chinese; Cuban; English
Ships Philosopher; Lightning; Pandora; Sheila; Chetah; Lassa; Ellora; Brenda; Plassy; North; Kate Kellock; Enmore; Ganges; Neva; Olive; John Allan; David Malcolm; Clara; Labrador; Sydenham; Wiltshire; Malabar
People Earl St Aldwyn (Hicks Beach, Sir Michael); Crosby, James; Berkeley, Sir George; Dundas, George; Irving, Sir Henry Turner; Musgrave, Anthony
Keywords Coolies, indentured workers, Planters Association, labour, labourers, compounders, rations, return passage, shipwreck, commutation, Protector of immigrant, death, murder, suicide, execution, wages
Language English
Document(s) linked to Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1878. Volume 1. Despatches: Eastern, Australian and Miscellaneous
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1878. Volume 2. Despatches: West Indies
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1878. Volume 4. Offices: Agents and India
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1878. Volume 5. Correspondence, Original, Secretary of State
Copyright Crown Copyright documents © are reproduced by permission of The National Archives London, UK