It appears that a project for colonizing Demerara from this
country was presented to Mr. Spring Rice during his incumbency at the Colo- nial Office. The success of the experiment, should it be tried, must of course be very doubtful ; but, from the following letter, it would seem that Mr. Rice was fully prepared to give it a trial, if the Colo- nial Legislatures would lend their aid. The letter is addressed to the Governor of Demerara, and was received by the last vessel from that colony.
" Downing Street, pith October 1P34. "Sir—it has been represented to me, that in the present state of West Italian society sonsiderable advantage might arise to that part of his Majesty's dominions by the troduction of emigrants not only from this kingdom but from the Continent of Europe ; and it has been stated, by persons to whose judgment much respect is due, that many eleseriptions of labour at present perlormcd by the Negro population might he success. fully undertaken by persons of European birth or desceut. lionever formidable the obstseles to this scheme may appear, I yet do not venture, antecedently to experience. So condemn or reject a measure which is supposed by others to be practicable, and ar which. if carried iota efLet. would certainly be productive of solid benefits to the Co- •• The .0+Ni deserves, sail should engage. the careful attention of the Legislature of Uritish Guiana; and you will signify to them the wish of his Majesty's Govern- ment that it should be taken into their early consideration. Tie impediments to settling the West Italics with European emigrants, so far as they arise from lariteti at easnace, are beyond the reach eif human legislation; but in part at least tlwy may be referred to causes of a different character. Amongst these may be numbered, the en- iiteuee of lows enhancing ertillcially the cLat of a passage to the West Indies. or of laws which would exclude emigrants of the poorer class from the participation in vea- 1 us civil franchises, or of ascot laws which would render such persons the of of a tined and burdensome tazatiou, or of laws which would render the naturalization or aliens difficult or expensive. Such impediments might, of course, be easily surmouuted. by the repeal or enact meet of the laws in which they originate. " In the event of the repeal of any existing law, or the introduction of any new law respecting naturalization. care must he taken that the power of refusing that boon to any undeserving or dangerous kith:ideal must always be rewrved to the Executive Government ; that Ito person he naturalized under any general act except after an ac- tual residence in the colony fur Solitt!adiliite period, nor unless there shall be adequate reason to sullen,. that he has adopted it as his home; and that nu' naturalized parson be laspiired to repudiate his allegiance to his Sovereign or the State to which it was owing by the a ireumstances of his birth. It may perhaps he Kiel icahle to encourage emigration to Whisk Guiana, not only oy the ren.uval of such obstacles as I have Men- tioned, but by direct encouragement. A sy,tein 1155 ern in operation for sonic years for rounding emigration to the Ilritish North American and Australian t'olou ie., under the immediate superintend.
cure of this department, In fin I lierame of this plan, num,: have been established at the principal parts a those settlements, and of the united Kingdom. The services of such ui those agents as :ire stationed in Great Britain and Ireland might readily be made atoll:11,1e to promote etiligratien to the West Indies. ii hunt any nicrease of the public expenditure. 1 shall hest place you in possession of the nature of the scheme by tefinling you to the inclosed piloted papei W. iii %Odell it is developed. Wait tow c■ operation of the Legislatine of British Guiana in pint iding for au miligiatiomageut these, it might to a certain iesteht, and with some qualifications, be adapted to that co- lony. " Von will consider how far these very general views can be matured into any pine. tieal and useful form ; assuring the Legislature of the Colony under your government of the atax‘ons wish of 164 Majesty' to cooperate w ith them ill this or in any other un- dertaking caleulatril to relieve the colonists front the difficulties inseparable from their present Sit maim', by rational mid well digested methods.
" 1 has., the honour to he, Sir,
'' Your most obedient, humble servant, Lii•ot..Governor Sir .1. Carmichael. Smith, • 1:art. British Guiana."
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