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), 1884. Volume 2. British Guiana and Trinidad Despatches
Date 4 Jan 1884 - 6 Mar 1885
Document Type Correspondence; Manuscript
Reference CO 384/149
Library / Archive The National Archives
Collection Name War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Emigration Original Correspondence.
Description Correspondence from the governors and staff in British Guiana and Trinidad to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. These letters consist of labourer ship journey reports, general administration including staff appointments, salaries and promotions, calls from the inhabitants of British Guiana to end indentured labour and reports into crimes committed by Indian and Chinese labourers, with a particular emphasis on the murder of women.
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) Arrivals: Ports and Early Experiences; Religion, Ethnic Identity and Community Relations; Journey Conditions
Country (from) Madeira; United States of America; Great Britain; China; Barbados; Malta; British Guiana; St Helena; India; Fiji; Jamaica; Trinidad; Mauritius
Country (to) Cape Verde; Surinam; Réunion; Portugal; South Africa; British Guiana; St Helena; India; Fiji; Jamaica; Trinidad; Mauritius
Places Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, British Guiana; Tenerife, Spain; Azores, Portugal
Ports Calcutta, Madras, India; Natal, South Africa; Hong Kong, China; Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana
Nationality English; Chinese; Indian
Ships British Peer; Ganges; Jumna; Bruce; Foyle; Shannon; Newnham; Neva; Jura; Sheila; Brenda; Grecian; Peshwa; British Statesman; Solent; Ellora; Eider; Plassey; Eden; Silhet; Rohilla; Berar; North; Earl Granville; Lee; Bann; Scottish Admiral; Hesperides; Southesk; Boyne
People Wingfield, Edward; Earl of Derby (Smith-Stanley, Sir Edward); Herbert, Sir Robert George Wyndham; Ashley, Evelyn; Irving, Sir Henry Turner; Freeling, Lieutenant Governor Sandford
Keywords execution, water supply, murder, assisted passage, indentured labour, journey conditions, mortality rate, health, sickness, Hosea Festival, plantation, anti-slavery, labour, labourers
Language English
Document(s) linked to Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1884. Volume 1. Eastern and Australian Despatches
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1884. Volume 3. Jamaica and Windward Islands Despatches
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1884. Volume 4. Correspondence, Original, Secretary of State. Despatches: Leeward Islands and Miscellaneous. Foreign Office
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1884. Volume 5. Offices, Companies and Crown Agents
Emigration (and Coolie Immigration), 1884. Volume 6. Agents (Except Crown Agents), Individuals and Surgeons
Copyright Crown Copyright documents © are reproduced by permission of The National Archives London, UK