§ MR. BARKLYwished to know when the Government would be prepared to carry into execution their intended plan for establishing steam communication between the west coast of Africa and the West Indies, for the purpose of facilitating the emigration of free labourers?
§ MR. HAWESsaid, that not a long time would elapse before a steam vessel would be prepared to enter on the service for which she was destined. All parties were agreed that the West Indian colonies were greatly in want of labourers; and the proprietors had frequently applied to the Legislature and the Government to afford them facilities for the introduction of labourers. Immigration from the East Indies had been tried, but it was found to be too costly to be continued; and therefore Government had thought it right to furnish facilities for a cheaper supply of labour to the West Indies. For this purpose a steam-boat, fitted up under the authority of the Government, and carrying out engineers appointed by the Government, was about to proceed to the west coast of Africa—the Kroo coast—where slavery did not exist. Labourers from that coast at present in the West Indies had expressed a wish to be sent there, in order that they might persuade their fellow-countrymen to emigrate to the West 249 Indies, to obtain the wages which were given to labourers there. He wished it to be distinctly understood that this project was merely in the nature of an experiment; it would be conducted under the immediate superintendence of the Government; and, at present, it was not intended to extend beyond the period of one year, by which time it would be ascertained whether voluntary emigration was likely to take place from Africa. [Mr. BARKLY: What is the name of the vessel?] The Scourge.