On reaching the deck of the French ship, the ceremony of engaging the slaves as Free Labourers is gone through by an Arab interpreter, who asks them, in the presence of the Delegate, whether they voluntarily engage to serve for five years at Réunion. The interpreter assures the Delegate that the slave is willing to become a Free Labourer at Réunion, in every instance. The Delegate cannot speak the native language, and does not know what question the slave is asked, nor the nature of his reply, but being assured by the Arab that the slave is willing to go to Réunion, the French Delegate is satisfied, and if asked if the slaves are willing to leave Africa, he declares, on his honour, that “he does not know anything to the contrary.” This is a true and simple statement of the manner in which the slave is engaged.
Once on board the French Free Labour Emigration ships, the slaves are generally treated with humanity, and are well fed; it being, of course, the interest of the captains of the vessels engaged in this traffic to land their cargoes in good condition.
Occasionally, from mismanagement, neglect, or inhumanity, the slaves become irritated and rebel; and if they have the good fortune to overcome their oppressors, the wrongs which they have suffered are avenged by a general massacre of the Europeans on board.
Upon the arrival of the vessels at Réunion, the slaves, now called free labourers, are immediately vaccinated, and the sick placed in hospital, at the expense of the captain or importer. Those who are in good health, after passing fourteen days’ quarantine, in buildings devoted to that purpose, are hired to different sugar planters for a term of five years. These planters pay to the importer the expense of importing the free labourer, or, in other words, the market value of the slave.
The negroes have no choice of masters. They receive as wages from six to eight shillings per month, and their food, which consists of rice, salt fish, and salt; in addition to which the employer has to find them clothes, and medical attendance when sick.
In each district there is an officer styled Protector of Immigrants, whose business it is to see that these men are not ill-used, and that they receive in cash, at the end of every month, the wages that may be due to them.
On no pretence is the employer allowed to strike his African Free Labourer; if the man behaves ill, he will be punished by the proper authorities.
Each immigrant is provided with a book, in which his name is inscribed, together with that of his employer, and the rate of wages which the free labourer is to receive.