Nova Scotia Archives

African Nova Scotian Diaspora

Letter from Mr. Burnley to the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Colin Campbell, on the ordinance of the Island of Trinidad for the encouragement of immigration to that Island
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Halifax 3d August 1839

The undersigned, appointed to the Legislative Council of Trinidad, Agent of the Colony, for the purpose, amongst others, of promoting the immigration of agricultural laborers, has the honor to lay before his Excellency Sir Colin Campbell a copy of an ordinance passed by the Council of Government on the 19th day of April last, regulating the mode of admission of such immigrants, and guaranteeing the payment of fixed sums, under certain conditions for their transport and maintenance whilst on their passage to that colony. The Sum allowed for the conveyance of laborers of African descent from Nova Scotia has been fixed at twenty five dollars for each adult, which is presumed to be amply sufficient for the purpose. The undersigned has been informed that many persons of that description, originally refugees from the United States of America, are now resident in the province, who from circumstances of climate, or otherwise, do not find their present condition satisfactory, and are at some seasons of the year, reduced to depend upon the aid of the local legislature and public charity for support. It is believed, that their removal to a southern climate, better adapted to their constitutions, and to the physical habits of their race, would be highly beneficial in every point of view to themselves, and a great relief to the community [words crossed out] upon whom they are frequently dependent for subsistence. If these statements be correct, the undersigned with full confidence recommends the Island of Trinidad as an asylum for them, presenting greater advantages than any other spot upon the Globe. It is unnecessary for him to expatiate upon what is so well known to your Excellency, that they will immediately on landing in that colony be in the enjoyment of perfect and entire freedom, as her Majesty's subjects, but he may add that such liberty can never be indirectly interfered with by partial legislation, the colony being entirely under the control of the Crown, and possessing no independent privileges. The


Date: 3 August 1839

Reference: Commissioner of Public Records collection Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 volume 422 number 53

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