Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward.
No. 48.]
Legation of the United States,
San Salvador,
September 22, 1868.
Sir: Referring to the circular of the
department, dated January 17, 1867, relative to the Coolie trade, and
calling the attention of the representatives abroad to the supposed
abuses of this traffic, I have the honor to inclose herewith, for the
information of the department, the translation of a decree of this
government, granting an exclusive privilege to one [Page 930] Señor Poncio Darnaculleta to introduce
here one thousand Chinese laborers within a period of four years. It
will be seen that this decree provides for a voluntary engagement by
these laborers in their own country, which fact must be certified by the
authorities of the place where the contracts are made. It also provides
that the transfers of these labor contracts in this country shall not
extend beyond the term of the original agreement.
I have great doubts if these Chinese laborers can be successfully
introduced here. Labor is yet, nominally at least, too cheap and
abundant in this country, though it must be said, of such an indolent,
uncertain, and indifferent character that it much needs the incentive
example of a more industrious and patient class of workmen. In all
mechanical branches the labor of the country (from the universal custom
of weekly contracts, seldom renewed by the same
laborer) is almost useless. The same laborer cannot be kept long enough
to be taught the simplest matter of mechanical work.
For the successful working of the machinery which is now being
extensively introduced, more constant and more skillful labor must be
sought elsewhere—not, I think, however, among Coolie laborers.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Ministerio De Fomento,
Government House, San
Salvador,
August 8, 1868.
Upon the petition of Señor Don Poncio Darnaculleta, a native of
Spain, soliciting an exclusive privilege to import Chinese laborers
into this republic, and in consideration that an augmentation of the
labor force of this country would be of much utility, now that
agriculture is notably progressing—
The supreme government decrees:
1. To concede to said Señor Darnaculleta a privilege for four years,
during which period he may import the number of one thousand Chinese
laborers, who shall voluntarily contract in their own country, and
shall be brought directly to this, which condition shall be duly
attested by the public authorities of the place where the laborers
are enlisted or contracted. (Le haga
elgananche.)
2. Such contracts and transfers as Señor Darnaculleta may make with
the planters or other agriculturists of this country shall be
considered as valid, and the fulfillment of them will be enforced by
the authorities.
3. The payments which Señor Darnaculleta may receive from planters,
or other agriculturists, by virtue of the contracts and transfers
referred to in article 2, shall be understood as a compensation for
the costs and expenses of the embarkation and transportation of said
Chinese laborers, and said contracts and transfers shall not be made
to extend beyond the time stipulated in the original enlistment or
engagement of said laborers.
4. Said Señor Darnaculleta shall pay, for the benefit of the public
hospital of this city, one dollar for each individual Chinese
brought here by virtue of this concession, as a remuneration for the
privilege granted.
Rubricated by the President.
BONILLA. Secretary of State in the
Department of Agriculture.
