A TRIP TO CUBA AND THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



John Chinaman. — On the first information received in tliis country that Coolies 

 were imported into Cuba under an apprenticeship contract, a very erroneous im- 

 pression was created here respecting their treatment. A few of the first cargoes, 

 it was true, suffered from ill-usage ; the planters did not understand the character 

 of the new people they had obtained, and they treated them harshly. The China- 

 man parts with life, under such circumstances, with a nonchalance unknown to the 

 African, and considers that he is doing his master a great injury if he destroys 

 himself while in his employ ; a number who were treated to the lash thus perished, 

 and an impression got footing in this country that is not warranted by subsequent 

 experience. It is ascertained that, though the contract they make in China, 

 to be returned, free of cost, at the expiration of their servitude of eight years, is 

 binding on the shipper, remarkably few instances have occurred of their making 

 this demand. They find profitable employment immediately on the conclusion of 

 the contract, and are altogether in a better condition than at home, as respects 

 food and competence. Most of them can read and write, and have a trade, such 

 as shoemaking, black and tinsmiths, conserve-makers, &c. ; some are at once em- 

 ployed in these arts ; others go to the sugar depots ; a large number hire them- 

 selves as domestic servants, and we saw many in positions of trust on the railroads, 

 &c. They are much esteemed in private families, make capital waiters, and are 

 trusted where the negro shows little or no capacity for head-work. 



The contract in the Chinese port is to land them in Cuba, and place them in 

 service for eight years, with the privilege of a return passage, for which bond is 

 given to the authorities. In addition to maintenance, sick or well, the employer 

 pays them four dollars a month till their term is over, at which time they readily 

 obtain from fifteen to seventeen dollars, and soon begin to accumulate an inde- 

 pendence. The price obtained by the importer, at first, was three hundred dollars 

 for each well-conditioned man, but this sum has advanced from thirty to fifty per 

 cent., leaving a large profit to the merchant ; so that greater numbers are arriv- 

 ing and expected. They bring no women with them ; it was thought, however, 

 their accumulations of money would be used to send for their wives and families. 

 In Havana, a few persons purchase the time of the newly imported men, and hire 

 them out in families at a profit. "We found, at various tables, the Chinaman 

 behind our chair very attentive, cleanly, and polite. In our hotel, a young fellow 

 some time in Cuba, was the best waiter on hand ; he attached himself to one of 

 the party, and seemed quite willing to accompany him to Philadelphia, but his 

 last question decided him not to come : " Was there any Chinese for him to asso- 

 ciate with ?" The "None" was the discouragement. 



You see " John" all over Havana, and we were told he was in the thick of the 

 gambling at the bull-fights and cock-pits. What efi'ect is to be produced by this 

 influx of a new race, would puzzle that wiseacre, the political economist, who 

 can best predict the result after it is known ; he was greatly at fault as to the rate 

 of interest money would command when gold was so plentiful as to be turned up by 

 every industrious spade, and he must wait a while to solve this new Chinese problem. 



This mode of importing Chinamen differs very little from the one long employed 

 in this country with what we called " Redemptioners" from Germany in years gone 

 by, when ship loads were regularly sold, and a black man in our employ bought 

 a white wife from the captain of a ship in the Delaware ; but it differs in the 

 character of the race. The "Redemptioner" soon amalgamated with the people, 

 and his descendants have become good citizens. The Chinese will not do this ; 

 they will most probably retain their characteristics in every country where they 

 penetrate, and form a distinct class. They are wanted among us for house-servants, 

 and the probability is, they will not be long in coming. 



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