SOME SUGGESTIONS PUBLIC MEASURE PROMOTE EMIGRATION. DUBLIN : PRINTED BY .ALEXANDER THOM, 87, ABBEY-STREET. SUGGESTIONS, J shall not attempt to explain the necessity of emigration, for it is admitted on all sides. Every one acknowledges the excess of population in Europe, and it is no where more evident than in Great Britain and Ireland, Emigration is, in reality, a measure of self-defence. The present outcry for political changes is only a cover for the invasion of the rights of property. All classes, however, have their rights, and the rights of labour must be adjusted before we can tranquillize the people, and allay the dangerous competition which is every where struggling to find vent. The country has an interest in its early adjustment, for we dis¬ encumber the small space to which we are restricted, which is. every day becoming less; and every settler that we send abroad is a new encouragement to our manufactures, and increases the community that is to consume them. We have only this alternative; we must either provide for this excess by great personal and national sacrifices, or we must find for them the means of pro¬ viding for themselves. On the other hand; all our colonies are deficient in this very population, which is here over-crowding every class of society, and exhibiting a demand for a 2 4 employment for which there is no market. The inte¬ rests of the proprietors, of the working orders, and the colonists, mast be brought into closer connexion. There the water is too low, here it is too high, our object is to secure an equalization of the level. The government cannot ostensibly conduct the esta¬ blishment required for such a purpose without many manifest inconveniences. It could give the impetus, it could advise, it could assist and influence, and even direct; but as the funds cannot be raised by taxation, and must be voluntary, the management must partake of the same character. All the great enterprises of our couutry have commenced under the conduct of a company more or less private, and recognised or asso¬ ciated with the government as its success became established. It has generally been considered as the best first channel for social interests, as coming more in contact with the wants of the people, without com¬ promising any administration. A company or association, established to carry out such a measure, should be selected from the great men of this commercial country, distinguished by their birth, by their talents, or by their position in business or society, as a guarantee to the public that it should be a pure administration of the funds placed at their disposal. There are three classes to be represented: first, the Home Institution, or the Board sitting in London, whose duty should be to facilitate the emigration from the United Kingdom, and whose members should comprise the higher and wealthier classes of society; secondly, the Operatives, who must be represented by committees, or by their parishes, as explained below; and thirdly, an Immigration Board or Society, in each colony. The first of these, which would give a character and direction to the others, would be a great national, charitable institution; and no one could dispute the justness of this title, as its success would secure employment and independence to thousands who are now in want and misery, and with no hope of any better resource for their children. The capital required for this branch might be cal¬ culated at half a million sterling, and one-fifth of that sum might be deposited in the funds at interest to defray the expenses and contingencies of the company, as far as required, and the surplus left to accumulate with the same object as the service extends itself. The secretaries aud clerks only should be paid. The Home Institution should open communications with Local Immigration Boards in all our colonies, and perhaps in the United States, if they would consent to contribute, on the principle that the expenses (subject to certain modifications by the Home Directors), should be divided into three items ; one an instalment from the colony asking for the population; one from the parishes or proprietors of estates forwarding the emigrants; and the other payable by the company; and this principle always to be kept in view, though not absolutely forbidding an occasional deviation. The interest of the parties would of course be the moving principle of these local establishments. These 6 Local Colonial Boards should be composed of the respectable men in one or more parishes or districts where population is required, and they should make their demand on the Emigration Institution in London, stating their wants in detail, what part of the expenses they are disposed to bear, what class of people they require, also what advantages they can offer to the emigrant, and what amount of employment and wages. There are various ways in which this offer will be made: in some solely in a given amount of wages, by which the industry of the labourer may accumu¬ late enough to become in his turn a proprietor; in others, land will be immediately leased out to the immigrant at a reasonable price, but under certain obligations of progress within a given period, and permission to purchase whenever he can realize by his industry the amount required. In .some of these cases a small outlay will be required for the immigrant to enable him to take possession, and to this extent the Home Institution might interfere to advance that sum, but in all other matters the interests of the immigrant should be superintended and encouraged by the Local Board. The great leading principle should be, one of charity, of charity well understood and applied, to advance the interests of the emigrants, and the prosperity of the colonies. It is impossible to attain perfection, but we can have the. model before us. and follow it as closely as our means will admit. There are many persons holding large tracts of 7 forest land in Canada and other colonies, and these proprietors might advantageously, place themselves in communication with the Home Institution, to supply their demand for labour on a liberal principle, seeking not only their own interest, but promoting with it that of the immigrant, and bearing their share of the expense. The different parishes in England, Ireland, and Scotland, should likewise be in communication with the Institution in London, forming themselves into local boards, inquiring into the state and character of the working classes and forwarding lists of the fami¬ lies desirous to emigrate, showing their means, the destination which they have selected, their ages and profession, and the assistance proposed to be advanced by the parish or parishes forming the local board. To meet this expense I should recommend a tempo¬ rary parish tax, leviable on householders, on the amount at which their houses are rated, under the name of Emigration Tax, not exceeding three pence in the pound for one year, as the best mode of raising the funds without any expense of collection, and as being the most equitable equalization of the outlay. Every parish is interested in diminishing its redun¬ dant population, and none would object to this small temporary tax levied by themselves, voluntary, and under their own control, for their own purposes, to accomplish a provision and a relief so complete in all its considerations. The chief points to which emigration is directed are British North America. United States, and New IIol- land. There-iare> some peculiarities which- I shall point out in the former.- All our settlements in New Holland combine -one general feature, and are so well knowm through other and-better- sources that it is only necessary for me to touch upon them. It appears that the cost , of the' passage from the United Kingdom to Australia averages about £16, that the length of the passage is about four months, and that the annual wages on arrival rule from £25 to £30 with rations. •With advantages of this description the Colonial Immigration Board might in all security guarantee to the immigrant on his arrival such emolument as would induce him to undertake the voyage, and pro¬ bably to sign an agreement in advance for three years, and it would be the interest of the local government in the colony to give every facility to the board, even to the extent of impresting a given sum on full and sufficient security. - It is not intended here to enter into details which belong to the interests of the parties in the colony, but merely to show that it is feasible to combine arrangements by which every interest may be pro¬ tected. In- the meanwhile, as the case now stands, whether from the length of the voyage, the distance, the ex¬ pense, or from the imperfect means employed, we have hitherto failed to supply the demand for labour in this colony, and it is evident that other and more extended regulations require to be adopted. The colonization of British North x\merica offers 9 some peculiar considerations. It has not always suc¬ ceeded in proportion to the expense and labour of the undertaking, chiefly in consequence of the want of previous arrangement in the colony, where the immi¬ grant has been left to contend with his difficulties how best he could. He was merely landed on the wharf, and abandoned after payment of a small emigrant tax. It is true that charitable members of the community met together and relieved their distresses, and for¬ warded them to the next town, where the same measure was adopted; but there never was any system to locate the immigrant or keep him in the colony, and the consequence is that they have all gone on immediately to the United States, where they usually settle and prosper, and the Americans absorb all the profit of our shipping and outlay. The United States are more than half a century in advance of our colo¬ nies, and there is more employment and more capital, and both less difficult of access. Their arrangements are more provident, and by many facilities to be met with in an old community, they encourage the immi¬ grant, though the price of land is more than double and subject to heavy taxation. There are a great many counties in Canada, on the banks Chaudiere and in the neighbourhood of the Ottawa and elsewhere, in a state of nature without a single inhabitant. Looking to these countries as a wilderness, the com¬ mencement must be small; and it would be as much as you could do to absorb fifty to a hundred families the first year, subject however (as to numbers) to the outlay you are disposed to make. 10 'In the United States it-is usual to clear an open space with a stream of water running through it, which is formed into a kind of: square, where a church, an inn, and a bank are built, and sometimes a mill, if the stream admits of it; and in this way the city of Buffalo was commenced. A bank was formed, and it was agreed that the notes should pass current, though not more than five per cent, was actually subscribed; and some years after¬ wards, when rival institutions compelled this bank to realize, the sale of the houses and wharves which they had built were not only sufficient to meet their liabi¬ lities but to leave a reasonable profit besides. It is very true that the precious metals are the most safe representatives of value, but all the gold and silver current in the world would not represent its wealth. We owe to the Jews, during their persecutions, the first invention of a bill of exchange, and this in course of time led to banking establishments, by which paper became a representative of industry. It is not many years ago, in 1830, that the metallic coin in the United States did not exceed five per cent, on the paper circulation. It must be still very much below our standard. Our object is to give a field to industry for its safe development; and no doubt such experiments require great prudence and have a limit which it is dangerous to pass. In our colonies, banks cannot be established without the consent of the legislature. An opening in the forest, such as I have described. 11 is the commencement of a village, and a little nucleus of future citizenship. Lots of twenty to twenty-five acres should be as¬ signed to each family, with an obligation to clear two to three acres, and build a log-hut on each settlement; and subsequently the lot might be enlarged according to the industry of the family and the progress made. The new settler cannot raise a crop for himself for the first year or fifteen months, and during this period he must be supported by capital of his own, by wages, or by means from some other source. In providing for a large immigration, the first settlers must be made to labour for those who are to follow, preparing in advance for them the same con¬ veniences they have found indispensable for themselves. This comprises a large outlay, for not only must they be maintained, while their own preparations are in progress, but there must be superintendents to instruct them, and they must be paid for their labour on the lots to be occupied by the next arrivals. The second immigration are relieved from many of the hardships of the first, and being now double the number and provided with the first necessaries, they can prepare for a third immigration equal to the two first, and this process can be carried on in geometrical progression, until a half or two-thirds of a county shall be occupied, leaving the remainder as a reserve for sale, which, by offering labour close at hand, will command as high a price as the whole county in a state of nature. This is a course that may be pursued where there are funds to carry it out. 12 Under the' best circumstances, the two first years of a settler are a period of toil and privation, but the third year may be looked forward to as bringing with it a rough abundance'of every thing, which, with good conduct and economy is constantly yielding its increase. This plan might be adopted in several counties at once. The land is now, I believe, in the hands of the local legislature, but as the great object is to dispose of those lands and to people the country, this tenure could be no obstruction to the sale, but the third of each county proposed to be reserved, might be retained by the legislature, or the whole county sold en masse. In these observations it must be understood that the real emolument will be the sale of the third part of the county held in reserve, the rent payable by the immigrant being only an accessory to secure a good price for the remainder. . In the counties occupied by the French the seigngttrial lots, averaging about 100 acres each, pay a rent to the seigmtaTof three to five dollars per annum, with the obligation of grinding all their grain at the seigniorial mill at a fixed price, and ail sales of land pay one- twelfth of the proceeds to the seignior, and these two items form his principal emolument. All these arrangements are open to many modifica¬ tions, which will be understood by the Colonial Immigrant Board, and reduced into practice. In defence of the small number of acres assigned to each lot, I should remark, that large lots, where: poor immigrants are at such a distance from each other, are very inconvenient for new settlers, as they 13 can derive no assistance from each others labour. There will also be much difference in the industrial habits of a large body. Many may dispose of their properties to their more successful neighbours, and go more inland, and many lots will likewise lapse in the ordinary course of nature by death. As an inducement to a local board to undertake tliis speculation they should be allowed to receive a bonus from the government, or local legislature, in the price of the land, as a repayment of their outlay. Their transactions with the new settlers might be governed by an annual rent of sixpence per acre (after the first year, which should be free), with per¬ mission to purchase at a fixed price; or if this remune¬ ration should be too small, the following regulation might apply: The first year free; the four next years sixpence; and the sixth and following years to be rated at a shilling. But, as I stated previously, these are only suggestions to be modified by the practical information of the parties in the colony. In no colony is it so necessary to look to the emi¬ grant after his landing as in British North America, in order to settle and improve our own colonies, and the condition of our own citizens, instead of lavishing our efforts and expenditure for the profit and aggran¬ dizement of a rival country, contributing no part of the expense. No emigration of labourers to any extent exceeding the usual numbers can safely take place to Canada without some previous preparation in the colony to 14 receive them ; and much of this preparation, in the present state of colonization, must be experimental. Judging from the new law exacting a heavy penalty on the masters of vessels bringing settlers who may become chargeable on the province, and which is much more severe than the law passed by the United States' Congress, it is to be feared that the party now in pouer are opposed to emigration,and there are no doubt objections to an indiscriminate pauper emigration; but we cannot call it “ indiscriminate” when prepara¬ tions have been made to receive it. Without this preparation there must be capital, and when there is neither, the success is exposed to obstacles and .delays, for employment on wages c.:n only be counted upon for limited numbers. At one time the government assigned land payable by instalments, but the instalments were never paid : and though the parties were subject to ejection, it was never enforced. The Canada Land Company continue to sell on credit, and I believe they have been able to collect their rents, and this arrangement is of course more susceptible of execution by a private company than by government. The artificial settlement of any large body of people is always a formidable undertaking, particularly where you have not the choice of the people. Some consider it to be an advantage to mix the Irish who have habits of hardy endurance with the English and Scotch, who are more provident and disciplined. The plan which ensures the earliest success is, to 15 select the neighbourhood of a road, a canal, a railway or other public work in progress, and the employment close at hand soon enables the settlement to thrive and prosper, and repay their outlay. There is a great want of English and Irish settlers in Lower Canada, where the population is almost entirely of French origin, who, living exclusively amongst themselves, have hitherto preserved all their primitive customs and feelings. A regular influx of British emigration, on a system that could be followed up without loss by a local board and to the progres¬ sive advantage of the new settler, would be very ad¬ vantageous to this part of Canada, and tend to establish an identity of British feeling, and a spirit of competi¬ tion and improvement. There is breadth enough in the land to receive all that we can send, with proper precautions for their actual settlement, for many years to come. The Lower Province is more healthy than Canada West, though the latter has a milder climate, but partially subject to fever and ague. A selection of counties might, with equal facility, be made there, but the expenses of transport and first settlement at so great a distance would be increased, yet would be repaid by a heavier charge on the land, as the advantage of the climate renders the land more productive. Noblemen and private gentlemen who have sent out their surplus tenants to Canada, have been in the habit of sending an agent with them, who. accompanies them to them location, and remains a short time to facilitate their first operation of settlement. In all instances it would be desirable in providing 16 shipping for emigrants, that the Home Institution should proceed by public advertisement and tender, except on sudden emergencies, as the best means, when accompanied by personal inspection, of per¬ forming the service faithfully and economically. But the considerations I have mentioned, are in favour of turning the stream of emigration for a time to Lower Canada, to unite the French peasantry with a British, population; which, as in other parts of America^ would be a source and an encouragement of mutual good feeling and improvement. It is not sufficient to provide shipping, we must, through the local agencies, locate them in Canada, on the spot they are to occupy; and, when it is possible, we should address emigrants coming from one district at home to the same location abroad. The same origin, birth¬ place, and connexion, unite them and keep them together in the colony, and give a cordiality and co¬ operation to their labours. All this should be well understood by the local boards in the colony, and by the Home Institution. I repeat, that in establishing a system, preparations must be made beforehand. The practical party in the Colony must feel their way, in patiently overcoming the obstacles which will surround them, and every step in advance will help to lay down a plan grounded on their own experience, and facilitate future operations. This is the duty of the local board. There are many who think the government ought to undertake these details, but the government is too great a machine to be applied advantageously to such minutiae. 17 The party in' the colony must-satisfactorily as¬ similate their own interests and those of the immigrant, and this duty must he, carried out on a broad, liberal, and humane principle. The government cannot be expected to tax the country for objects which belong to the interests of property, and which:it is much more safe to intrust to those who are to derive a reciprocal advantage from, the judicious choice of the measures for conducting them. Emigration may fairly be considered as belonging to the interests of property, both in the transfer of a redundant population and in its location at a point where increased labour is required for the develop¬ ment of the soil, which is the natural wealth of the colony. The government may no doubt be relied upon for every reasonable assistance and superintendence; and if the measures selected are in themselves good, no one will refuse to contribute to their success, in which every man’s safety is concerned. It must be remembered, that no system has yet been matured for locating immigrants, and that it is by practical good sense and perseverance that it has to be accomplished, such as we may hope to find in- a board, or association judiciously selected in the colony, having interests connected with the success of the -emigrant. It must not be inferred that I advocate any discon¬ tinuance of the present efforts of the Colonial Office, on the contrary I wish a new impetus to be given to 18 them; and it is because I feel the necessity of extend¬ ing this great national measure that I propose these plans not to supersede, but to enlarge our sphere of action, and through channels not occupied by any public body. The state of Ireland, the dense population of the United Kingdom, and the dangerous maxims which have arisen out of the late French revolution, have brought every mind to reflect on the importance of the only measure that can afford us relief. The Irish thrive better in the colonies, when they are removed from the associations and habits in which they are bred, and the second generation manifest a still more decided improvement. It is unnecessary to enlarge on the advantage de¬ rived by a colony from the accession of new settle¬ ments. It is like new blood poured into the veins; they bring forth the riches of the soil; they encourage the industry, the manufactures, and the navigation of the mother country; and they become the strength and the defence of the land which they have selected for their home. Our North American colonies are thinly peopled, and require this consolidation—for they are on the borders of a powerful and ambitious empire, which is just feeling the passion for aggrandizing and extend¬ ing its limits; and having the same origin with our¬ selves, they are fraught with the same energy and elasticity of character. But there is a question in that country fast ap¬ proaching, which the present state of the world will 19 hurry on to maturity, and from which our American colonies are exempt—1 allude to the slave population of the United States—and if that question is not an¬ ticipated by some safe measure, it will shake their prosperity to its foundation. Thejjmain difficulty however, is the raising the funds, not their appropriation. We are in a new era of the world, and its destiny is no longer in the hands of the men of talent and education who were formerly at the head of the governments of Europe. No foresight can provide for the unnatural and unexpected events which may occur. We are fortunately free from this great cala¬ mity which is overrunning Europe, and v 7 e can ex¬ ercise prudence to avert it. We have our govern¬ ment, our laws, and the influence of the higher classes intact, but in our excess of population u 7 e have also the germ of the same malady amongst us. With such a contagion abroad, what permanent security have we for property or order in the midst of so much destitution and so much excitement? We must pay a small per centage of our property to secure the remainder. It is a large sum to collect, but it is better to pre¬ vent than to cure, and a small subscription now might save us from a great loss hereafter. The government might set the example, but not in a sum too dispro¬ portionate to the principal subscribers. It would be a renewal of the voluntary donations in the time of Mr. Pitt for the continuance of the war, but now 7 directed to the preservation and security of peace. 20 It is a great moment, and we ought to be equal to it. It must be admitted that the occasion is unfavour¬ able for a large voluntary subscription. The late subscriptions which were collected for the Irish famine, the mercantile losses, and the prostration of all business in every part of the world, which re-acts again, on England, are causes which will affect this operation. It must also be remembered that this subscription is only calculated to meet one-third of the expense, and that the other two-thirds are proposed to be borne by the colony and by the local parishes; and likewise that the establishment of a good measure of emigra¬ tion affords the most permanent relief to the poor rates; for every labourer and his family who emigrate cease for ever to be a burthen upon the parish. It may reasonably be hoped that the present gloom and stagnation of trade is only temporary, and that its revival is not distant. In the interval it might be prudent to assist an enterprise of such great moment by a loan, thereby affording more latitude for the interposition of go¬ vernment—for the time presses; and if a measure of emigration is to be matured, every thing is to be gained by its early consideration. In order to show practically the means within the reach of the parochial authorities of paying their pro¬ portion of the expense, I annex the following calcula¬ tion :— There are 2,943,939 inhabited houses in Great Britain. 21 In Ireland they are divided into classes: First class, . . . 40,080 Second.2G4.184 Third, .... 533,297 Fourth. 491,278 1,328,839 The fourth class is probably little better than mud cabins, and the third class mud houses with glass windows, having two to four rooms: still these show data for raising a large temporary tax. There is no classification of the houses in Great Britain. Suppose we take— First class, 83,087 Second, . . 548,307 Third, . . . 1,107,000 Fourth, . . 1,019,769 2,758,163 Let us calculate the first class in Great Britain for one year at 40s.— 4 the Second at 30s. 1 l the Third ” 10s! Pr ° duCe to S ether ’ £1 ’ 266 ’ 683 ' 4 do. „ 5s. J Let us calculate for Ireland I first Class at 30s. „ 20s. 1 4 Second 4 do. 4 Third 4 d°- „ 10s. J-Produce together, £189,167. Or if it should appear a more just partition, or more 22 susceptible of collection, let a small sum per pound be levied on the amount at which each house is rated, but to be only for one year. These calculations are annexed merely in evidence of the facilities which exist, if the parishes will unite to raise a sufficient sum within ourselves for this great national object of ' peace and charity, to secure the rights of property and the legitimate appeal of ’distress. Dublin: Printed by Aiexandeb Thom, 87, Abbey-s