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| The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Suriname on October 20, 1853. This group came from Java, from where they departed on July 2, 1853. At the start the group consisted of eighteen persons, but four died on route so that fourteen landed. They were sent for the sugar plantation of the government, Catharina Sophia in Saramacca, where they would be employed at a new way of bboiling sugar. One year after arrival two more died. So, then twelve were left of whom it was said: "Their work is good, but one cannot calculate a completely full job, but only half a job for them. In general, their health leaves much to be desired. However, if one takes into account what kind of people they are, then it goes reasonably well." In 1856 the contracts of these first Chinese expired.Meanwhile, onlyeleven were left. Three were persuaded to stay in Suriname to function as interpreter for Chinese who were to came later. In 1858 a new group of Chinese immigrants came to Suriname. They came from Macao. From this group 325 were placed at the disposal of the Plantations and 175 were employed by the government at jobs of its own, among others at Catharina Sophia and in Coronie where they helped to dig out the canal to sea. In general people were satisfied with these immigrants. When the conditions for carrying immigrants as a consequence of the Immigration Law became more attractive, among others by granting premiums, the Surinaamse Immigratie Maatschappij (Surinamese Immigration Company) was established in Amsterdam. They brought people from Hong Kong, viz. 286 in 1865, 807 in 1866, 516 in 1868, and 405 in 1869. In 1872/1874 the Nederlandse Handel Maatschappij (Dutch Trading Company) brought another 115 Chinese immigrants from Java for its plantation, Resolution, at the Commewijne river. With this there came an end to official contract immigration of Chinese. |
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