§ MR. GRANTLEY BERKELEYhad a question of great interest and importance to put to the noble Lord at the head of the Government, with respect to the Colony of British Guiana; namely, whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take off the existing restrictions upon the importation of free labourers into British Guiana and the West Indian Colonies, from the free States of Africa? He also wished to know, whether there was any objection to permit free immigration into those British Colonies from the Kroo Coast; and, if there were no objection, when would the present restrictions be taken off?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLreplied, that he had stated before, that there was every desire on the part of Her Majesty's Government to permit free immigration from the coast of Africa into the Colonies of British Guiana and the West Indies. But there was considerable difficulty surrounding the question, inasmuch as unless restrictions were placed upon the mode of immigration, there might be, under the pretence of carrying free labourers to the Colonies, an actual carrying on of the Slave Trade. Persons might take Africans from the coasts under the pretence of their being engaged as free labourers, and, sailing nominally for Guiana or Jamaica, might take them instead to Cuba or Brazil. He thought therefore that it would be necessary that some proof should be given of the intention of the parties, and that the emigrants should be shown to be really engaged for the West Indies. For that purpose there should be some British authority appointed at the British settlements whose business it would be to ascertain whether any contract had been entered into between the parties, and to have proof of that contract, and that it was the bonâ fide intention of the shippers to take the labourers to Guiana or some of the West Indian Colonies. The noble Lord the Secretary of State for the Colonies had, since he (Lord 629 John Russell) last addressed the House upon the subject, received an application from some persons deeply interested in the prosperity of the West Indies, the substance of which was that the Kroo Coast might be opened for the importation of free labour. But there was no British settlement there, and the difficulty would be consequently apparent. However, his noble Friend had the subject under consideration; and if an arrangement could be effected whereby some officer could be appointed before whom all the immigrants should come in order to be examined, then immigration would be permitted. The whole subject was undergoing consideration; and he was sure his hon. Friend would agree with him that it was necessary to observe the greatest caution, that under no pretence should any encouragement be given to the Slave Trade.