342 TRINIDAD. 



They had not been judiciously selected. Their introduction 

 was a mere experiment, and as such surrounded with many 

 difficulties. Again, the Coolies were perfect strangers in the 

 island, and the relations in which they were placed with regard 

 to the emancipated blacks quite novel. But no class of 

 labourers has given more satisfaction than those subsequently 

 introduced under a well-regulated system of immigration. The 

 manner of dealing with that class of immigrants is now regu- 

 lated by law, and in several respects very different from what it 

 was at the commencement ; added to which, their own country- 

 people are here to advise, and to initiate them in the customs 

 and occupations of the inhabitants ; in fact, they are much less 

 hampered in their habits and their own peculiar ideas. They, 

 in consequence, work more successfully, because they fully under- 

 stand their duties and their rights. When the Coolies were first 

 introduced, it was found advisable to appoint a special magistrate 

 for their protection. Major Fagan, who was acquainted with 

 the language and customs of the people of India, was selected 

 for the post. When the major arrived in Trinidad only a few 

 inoperative regulations existed concerning immigrants of all 

 classes ; and it was consequent to that want of proper regulations 

 that so much suffering was undergone by " those unfortunate 

 people, in the shape of disease, starvation, and ultimate death," 

 as expressed by Mr. Montgomery Martin ; but not because, as 

 stated by him, "the treatment of immigrants generally, and 

 especially of the East Indian Coolies, had been most discredit- 

 able." This will become apparent on perusal of Lord Harris's 

 despatches. 



The Africans liberated from slavers had been appointed to 

 the planters under certain conditions, viz., that they should 

 work for a stated number of hours every day, on being provided 

 with lodging, food, clothing, and medical attendance. They, 

 however, did not consider themselves as party to the contract — 

 the obligations of which they did not understand — and deter- 

 minedly refused to work, and absconded into the woods, prowli 

 about in the neighbourhood of plantations, on which they ve 

 tured, at night, for plunder. Others attempted to retrace th 

 steps to their country, as they imagined, by travelling eastwa 

 Not only did they avoid inhabited localities, but when they d 

 encounter any of the inhabitants, being ignorant of the language 



