This is a letter in response to a letter written to the Secretary of State by Lord John Russell of England. in which he recites the fact that England. in connection with other European nations. was about to cuter anto the consideration of the subject of cooly labor. inasmuch as African slavery was to be abolished. and to open negotiations with the Chinese for the cooly labor. Now. let us hear what he says upon this subject. I read from that letter what he callsA plan of emigration from China. regulated by the agents of European nations in oenjunction with the Chinese authorities. It is not probable that Lord John Russell expected this Government to unite in forming such "a plan of emigration from China." For if he had entertained this idea lie would scarcely have omitted "the agents" of the United States from any participation in its regulation. Nor cam the President share in the anticipation of her Britannic mstys government that the cooly trade can be put on any such footing as will reieve it of these features of fraud and violence which rondor the details of its prosecution scarcely less horrible than those of the middle passage. And be is of the opinion that it would exert a most deleterious influence upon every poition of this country to import into it Chinese coolies as laborers. TInthe States where the institution of domestic slavery exists these heathen eoolieswould demoralize the peaceful. contented. and orderly slaves. very many of whom are sincere Christians. And in the free States they would be brought into competi. tion with our own respectable and industrnious laborers. whether of native or foreiln birth. who constitute so largo a portion of our best citizens.
Identified stereotypes
Chinese coolies would demoralize slaves and compete with laborers.