Council Minutes, Perak
15th March 1882
Present:
Regent
Resident (Hugh Low)
Raja Dris
Temenggong
Kadzi
Dato' Raja Mahkota
7. The Resident submits to H.H. the Regent that in his opinion the State will be in a position to abolish slavery and the institution of slave-indebtness in the year 1883, and that he desires the members of Council on returning to their districts to consult as to the best method of carrying out this important measure. He will ask H.H. to call a meeting of the Council in May to decide upon some definite scheme, of which due notice may be given to the people concerned.
Council Minutes, Perak
22nd May 1882
Present:
Regent
Resident (Hugh Low)
Raja Dris
Temenggong
Kadzi
Dato' Raja Mahkota
2. The Resident says that from the informal discussion that took place at the last meeting it was evident that the question of the manumission of slaves was not yet ripe for immediate settlement. He therefore thinks it advisable that those members who were present should record their opinions in order that such a record may enable the Government to frame definite proposals for discussion and adoption on some future occasion.
3. The Dato' Maharaja Mahkota says that in his opinion slave-debtors should be called upon to buy their freedom by monthly instalments paid either in labour or in money. Masters who desire to employ their slaves in their own houses may do so by arranging for a monthly reduction of the debt so as to leave the debtor free at the end of two years. Should the instalments not be met, the creditor is entitled to sue as for an ordinary debt, and to have the slave-debtor sent by the Megistrate to work for Government at the rate of not more than 20 cents a day, half his earnings to go to his support and half to his master in payment of the money due. The people so object to Government work on the mountains that debtors will always be ready to earn money for their masters without having recourse to this measure. All slavery should be completely abolished from 1st January, 1885.
… to be continued
Dato' Raja Mahkota
2. The Resident says that from the informal discussion that took place at the last meeting it was evident that the question of the manumission of slaves was not yet ripe for immediate settlement. He therefore thinks it advisable that those members who were present should record their opinions in order that such a record may enable the Government to frame definite proposals for discussion and adoption on some future occasion.
3. The Dato' Maharaja Mahkota says that in his opinion slave-debtors should be called upon to buy their freedom by monthly instalments paid either in labour or in money. Masters who desire to employ their slaves in their own houses may do so by arranging for a monthly reduction of the debt so as to leave the debtor free at the end of two years. Should the instalments not be met, the creditor is entitled to sue as for an ordinary debt, and to have the slave-debtor sent by the Megistrate to work for Government at the rate of not more than 20 cents a day, half his earnings to go to his support and half to his master in payment of the money due. The people so object to Government work on the mountains that debtors will always be ready to earn money for their masters without having recourse to this measure. All slavery should be completely abolished from 1st January, 1885.
… to be continued
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