106 
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM SELECT COMMITTEE 
Appendix, No. 5. 
Appendix, No. 5. 
PAPERS handed in by Mr. Edward Hutchinson, 25 July 1871. 
Reverend S. Hobbs to E. Hutchinson, Esq. 
( Extract.) 
Mahé, 19 May 1869. 
1. The opinion I formerly expressed as to the eligibility of these islands for missionary 
eíForts on beiialf of the liberated slaves was only partially favourable, but what 1 have 
seen and heard since coming here inclines me to recommend this locality mucti more 
stronglv than I anticipated. 
3. It is about six years since the cargoes of rescued slaves began to be deposited at 
Seychelles, and the number ! n ought here from that time to the present is, within a few 
more or less, 2,000. In most instances the mortality on the first arrival of a cargo has 
been large, the unhap[>y creatures being in a diseased and emaciated condition, but after 
the first few weeks they become healthy and strong, and no more liable to sickness than the 
rest of the population. I cannot ascertain the precise number now on the island, but judge 
from what Dr. Brooks says, that 20 per cent, is the very maximum to be deducted on 
account of mortality, so that the present total must be 1,600 at the lowest estimate. 
4. It was lately rumoured in Mauritius that the people of Seychelles were complaining 
that the rescued Africans were more troublesome than profitable, on account of their 
indolence and their propensity to stealing. These reports prove to be unfounded About 180 
were brought here last month by the “ Nymph,” and all are already disposed of, the 
iniiabitants readily paying 30 s. a head to reimburse the Government for clothing and pro 
visions, and other expenses incurred on their account on their arrival. The last importation 
before this was one of nearly 300 brought by the “ Daphne” in December last, who had 
to be kept 80 days in quarantine, and being in consequence both more expensive and also 
less able-bodied, were not applied for so readily, whence probably arose the rumour I have 
just mentioned. Mr. Ward anticipates the arrival, before long, of much larger numbers 
than hitherto. 
5. Mr. Ward said his instructions were, in the event of more coming here than sufficient 
for the wants of employers, to send the surplus on to Mauritius. Then I gave him a brief 
sketch of what I understood to have been the system pursued at Sierra Leone 40 or 50 
years ago, viz., the formation of little townships, which were placed under the direction of 
missionaries, when the negroes, alter a short time, supported themselves by their indepen 
dent labour. At first he seemed to think that serious difficulties would stand in the way of 
such an experiment here, but he appears to have been reflecting upon it since, and to be 
now more inclined to look upon it as practicable. 
8. Both Mr. Ward and Dr. Brooks expressed an opinion that the society would do 
wisely in adopting Mahé as the basis of their work, more especially because of the perfect 
salubrity of these islands, and the insalubrity of Mombas. The temperature at present is 
very agreeable, this being the beginning of the cool season. At other times the heat is 
severe, but all seasons are considered to be equally healthy. Sufferers from fever coming 
here from Mauritius for change are almost without exception speedily and completely 
cured. 
9. The expense of boarding for school children might, I believe, be made very light from 
the beginning, and after a short time reduced almost to nil. There is no necessity to give 
rice, which the Indians in Mauritius require, and which is a very heavy expense, Ijeing all 
imported. Here the rations served out to labourers consist almost exclusively of maize, 
manive, ai d other productions of the country, which can be produced in any quantity, if 
sufficient land be secured, and a few adult labourers kept for its cultivation. The school 
children should be trained from the first to assist, and soon might do all the work that has 
to be done. 
11. When a cargo arrives the adults are all hired out on contract for three or five years, 
according to the wish of the employer, who is bound to keep them until the expiration of 
the period, paying them wages on a rising scale according to age, the highest rate being 
14 s. per mensem, besides rations. I have no doubt they could be made over to a mission 
ary on modified terms, especially if application from the inhabitants should fail. Much 
would depend upon the disposition of the Civil Commissioner, and that of Mr. Ward is in 
the highest degree favourable to the scheme. 
12. I think