Beschreibung:

(Cuba - Chinese) Report on the importation of Chinese indentured labor, or slaves, and its effects Place Published: Madrid, Spain Date Published: 1855 Description: [12] pp. including cover leaf. Ink manuscript on unlined paper, 3 leaves with printed letterhead, "Primera Secretaria Estado," at top left. 21.5x16 cm (8½x6¼"), unbound. Important, informative, and quite fascinating report on the importation into Cuba of Chinese laborers, coolies, on an indentured basis that made them virtual slaves. Chinese coolies began arriving in Cuba in 1847 and continued to do so until 1874, making this is an early assessment of the traffic and its effect. Among the many details in the report is information from the Ambassador of Spain in China; factual transport quotes; descriptions of ocean voyages; and the general impact of Chinese coolies on the Cuban economy. The cover leaf reads in part: "Traeladando otra a estudo pediento informe sobre su continedo como asimiano sobre los resultados que haya producido su esta ysla la colonizacion asiatica." This can be roughly translated to: "Bringing another to the study, requesting a report on your continued existence as an Asian, on the results that Asian colonization has produced on your stay on the island." Condition: Paper a little toned, bleed-through of the ink, a few marginal chips; very good. Item#: 330248a Headline: Spanish report on Chinese labor in Cuba, 1855