344 TE1NIDAD. 



very judicious representations of the Anti-Slavery Society, so 

 that the system of laissez alter was once more preferred to a 

 more restrictive, but surely — as proved by the result — a more 

 beneficial and more humane policy. However, certain heads 

 were at the same time sent out by Lord Grey, which were 

 digested into an ordinance for the encouragement of immigra- 

 tion, and made law in 1847. 



With reference to the withdrawal of the regulations pre- 

 pared by Major Fagan, Lord Harris observes : " Your lordship 

 will remember that the withdrawal of some rules which I had 

 established respecting the management of the Coolies was 

 required by despatch dated 16th September, 1846, and they 

 were accordingly cancelled on the 17th October following. 



" Doubtless there were numerous faults in these rules. From 

 the circumstance of the case, they had been drawn up at a very 

 short notice; but all will allow, who had the opportunity of 

 judging, that, during their operation, the Coolies were W( 

 clothed, healthy, generally contented, and improving daily 

 habits of industry. 



" On the withdrawal of those rules, they returned to the 

 habits which are natural to them : they left the estates, and were 

 to be seen wandering about in the country in bands, and by the 

 time that the immigration ordinance came into force, but few 

 were remaining on the properties on which they had been generally 

 located. " 



As to the ordinance of 1847, Lord Harris states : — " I cannot 

 say that the ordinance No. 9 of 1847, for the encouragement of 

 immigration, has succeeded to my satisfaction. The cause of its 

 failure I attribute partly to the very depressed circumstances of 

 the planters at the time of its being brought into force, and the 

 general conviction that the Coolies would not remain on the 

 estates, consequently inducing a small demand for the Coolies, 

 and partly to its want of adaptation to the localities, and the 

 population with which it was intended to deal. 



" Many of the Coolies left the estates within a week of enter- 

 ing into contract, but no pains were taken to give the Govern- 

 ment any information of it. Want of means was one cause wl 

 contracts were not generally entered into by the planters. 



" But there was also a general feeling that the provisions 

 the ordinance were not sufficiently stringent to warrant thei 



or 



