Vice-Consul General to Jefferson Davis, October 27, 1871

Mr. Hall to Mr. Davis.

Sir: Referring to my Nos. 551, 539, and series relating to the subject of Chinese colonization, I have the honor to transmit herewith an extract and translation of an article upon the subject of Asiatic immigration, as the coolie system is sometimes called, that appeared in the “Diario” of the 20th instant. I doubt not it will be found of interest, especially the statistical part, from which it appears that, since 3d June, 1847, when the first expedition arrived, there have been introduced into the island 109,092 Asiatic colonists, at an average cost to the purchaser of $340 each, representing a disbursement of $37,000,000 and upwards, or $1,500,000 annually.

It would be interesting to know how many of these Asiatics have returned to their country, how many are now living, how many have been subjected to capital punishment in Cuba, how many have died in prisons and chain-gangs, and how many, in their despair, have committed suicide.

The report refers to the great progress the island has made since the introduction of the Asiatics or Chinese, as they are indiscriminately called, and counts upon the same element for its development during the period of its political reconstruction, after peace has been restored.

It further states that the great want of the island is an abundance of hands, of cheap and easy reposition, and no other country except the Celestial Empire can furnish them.

I have, &c.,