Trampled Grass

By Navara de Wijoo

This novel is based on a historical account, going back to early 19th century when Great Britain defeated Napoleon Bonaparte, expanding the empire. That led to the need for considerable manpower. The captain of a ship is not only responsible for navigating the vessel skilfully, but should be a leader to all the naval trainees and junior officers. He should make right decisions which can be harsh, without emotions, for all. This novel tells a story of the kind-hearted Captain Fraser who led his ship to near-disaster on the Thames. After abolition of slavery, the need for farm labourers was filled by a 'new system of slavery' called 'indentured labourers from India'. This novel describes their suffering and what happened to them, which the world hardly knows about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Feb 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781528959254

Navara de Wijoo

The author worked as a head and neck cancer surgeon for over forty years. Has been actively involved in three charities, helping to raise funds by completing London Marathon, London-Paris bike ride and others. While looking after a terminally ill patient, he learned the plight of indentured labourers, which he researched and which led to this historical novel.

Book preview

References

About the Author

The author worked as a head and neck cancer surgeon for over forty years. Has been actively involved in three charities, helping to raise funds by completing London Marathon, London-Paris bike ride and others. While looking after a terminally ill patient, he learned the plight of indentured labourers, which he researched and which led to this historical novel.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to the love of my life, who not only walked all along with me, but also guided me on the right path, making me feel stronger and confident in my actions, whether complicated and difficult surgical operations, or climbing a difficult slope of life. That person is my wife, Wijoo.

Copyright Information ©

Navara de Wijoo (2020)

The right of Navara de Wijoo to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This novel is based on historical facts of labourers from India and their plight. All names of the characters are imaginary.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528909365 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528909372 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781528959254 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2020)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Hugh Tinker, author of A New System of Slavery. This is an exhaustive study, perhaps the only book with very invaluable references which helped considerably. I am particularly thankful to Mr Arif Ali, proprietor of Hansib Publishing Limited, who told me that this book is the encyclopaedia on this subject.

I am also grateful to Baron William Hague, author of William Wilberforce, which had excellent references about movement of abolition of slavery.

I am very much indebted to Austin Macauley Publishers, who provided a team to guide me, whose systematic feedback helped shape this book to make it informative, entertaining and worth reading.

In particular, I like to express my gratitude to Anna Cooper of production team, who was always present and ready to help for corrections and modification of the text.

Chapter 1

Trampled Grass

Ramu was very thin, weak, but was at least on his feet, with enough strength to try to help others. He was looking forward to step on dry land. He did not count the days or months he was at sea; Captain Fraser kept a log and knew it was five and half months’ voyage from Calcutta to Demerara. Ramu and the other travellers had lost all track of time since they boarded the Thames.

At least, he and Paroo were alive. He had no opportunity to find out how many died on the way here from Calcutta, but looking at vacant spaces in the hold, where so called ‘indentured labourers’ housed another name for hired slaves—he was certain many passed away from this world while on the sea. For them, this was a journey of no return.

This was ‘Sugar Carnage’. Sugar—deadly sugar—that killed unawares. It was bitter killer sugar to the labourers.

It was not the sugar that finished these hired labourers; it’s the greedy, voracious, inconsiderate producers who killed many, and perhaps they were helped by politicians too. The name was changed from enslaved humans to indentured labourers, but the effect was the same.

Paroo and Ramu’s ordeal was not going to finish here; it was the start of a new page, a new chapter in their life which was going to last, unexpectedly, for many years. At least both of them survived to see what was on offer; others were at the bottom of the sea, and will never know the purpose of this voyage.

Two hundred and ninety healthy individuals embarked on the ship, in Calcutta, only one hundred and fifty saw the shores of Demerara; eighty out of them were taken to a so-called hospital, as they were ill, malnourished, full of dysentery, unable to stand or walk. They were skeletons draped by skin, alive in name alone. Perhaps half will succumb before taking their occupation.

There was no one to give a helping hand. The colonial office in London was supposed to have appointed a ‘Protector’, looking after these hapless individuals, but it did not happen. For them, the sky was dark and the path stony, and they did not know where it led.

News spread like summer sunshine that a ship with indentured coolie labourers had docked in the harbour.

Estate managers were hungry for these farming hands, ready with cash for bargaining with view of having them, outwardly looked like hiring them. Farms need to be tilled, to produce plenty of sugar—sweet white gold which will provide ready cash and make owners rich very quickly perhaps overnight. Not only did sugar cane need to be produced, but it also needed to be processed, packed and shipped all over Europe. This was a very competitive industry. Britain had no monopoly; France could produce this white gold in their colonies in New World and sell, too. When Demerara was ceded to British rule, the gentry were keen to acquire land, for pittance.

On front was Gladstone Estate, which was huge, and had a capable manager who was always on the lookout for strong, sturdy and healthy workers. He had no use of women or children; such a message was sent to India as well.

The manager of Stanford Estate—not as big as Gladstone’s—was there too. He was allowed second bite; he was not important and did not carry weight like Gladstone’s!

John Gladstone himself would never be in Demerara, oh no; he had important business to run in London, England. He needs money, his son wants to follow politics, aspiring to become Prime Minister one day, ruling the British Empire. Such far-flung property will need to be run by managers. Being so far away from London, managers were like self-rulers, with their own laws and regulations, meting out punishment to anyone who disobeyed. If there were to be any women in that bunch, managers used them for their own pleasure.

All the managers of the estates looked at paltry number of labourers and enquired where the captain of the ship and the ship’s surgeon were.

Captain Fraser appeared.

How many labourers do you have? We need a health report too, there was a chorus from inquisitive people.

There are one hundred and fifty, Captain Fraser said. We could not get any doctor; we tried to recruit from every port from India to Africa. You will have to assess them and their health yourself.

That is very disappointing, said the manager of Gladstone Estate.

He did not waste any time and started sorting them; others got muscling too to get good workers, like vultures fighting for meat from a lifeless carcass, only difference being that the labourers were very much alive. The fit and healthy labourers were told to go on one side, the others were told to go to the other. All came on land after a long time, unstable and somewhat giddy.

The managers went on selecting.

Chapter 2

Remove Thorn from the Path

How life moulds us depends not only on our parents and teachers, but close friends too. Beastly, bad-behaving and selfish friends will lead you to ruinous ways, but friends with good thoughts and virtuous guidance carry you to the right path. When he was at Cambridge University, he met Clarkson and joined Clapham Sect which changed his views on the world, the blinkers covering his eyes came off and he could see that suffering of all human beings is the same. The greedy and selfish take advantage of the poor and weak, trample the grass.

Democracy is the will of majority of ‘own’ people, right or wrong, good or bad. Democracy serves voters, which can be served by deception; politicians offering temptations so that they may follow them. This increases suffering of the weak and vulnerable.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, not all British citizens had voting rights; majority had no right, including women, and many others.

In the eighteenth century, many voters thought that slavery was good for the British Empire, good for making money, good for businesses, especially sea ports like Bristol and Liverpool slave houses sustained the employment and made many rich too. The newly discovered world of British Empire, at far-flung places, needed labour force too.

The British Parliament’s muscles were very strong; common Africans were like insects, crunched under the feet of the British voters.

William Wilberforce realised that the only way to produce change was to participate in this process, fight from within, struggle, oppose and create a change—a change for good. Hull in Yorkshire adopted its own son as a representative to parliament. Perhaps this was a small pond for a big fish—that too the size of a whale.

William Wilberforce made his own mother unhappy when he became ‘Methodist’. She was completely unaware of this change and his conversion to this ‘New Religion’ while he was at Cambridge University, which she heard for first time from the pulpit and congregation. She travelled for days in a family coach, arriving in London to confront her son.

William was astonished and greeted her with surprise.

Mother, what are you doing here? he asked. If had known, I would have come some way to welcome you. You must be tired; you had such a long journey. Have a rest now.

His mother did not travel to enjoy her stay in London. Her mind boiling, she had a burning issue to sort out. Rest would have been waste of time for her.

She got to the point straight away.

Last Sunday, I heard from our vicar about that ‘Holy Club’ and what they are doing. They do not follow God’s wishes and, add to that, they do not follow what the Archbishop of Canterbury says.

William, to start with, did not get what his mother was talking about, but she was talking with such emotion that he did not interrupt.

The congregation is very unhappy of these converts and this odd club.

Now, he had an inkling of what his mother was talking about and why she had travelled such a long way.

Mother, this other ‘club’ is called Methodist, started by John Wesley. He thought about universal salvation, welfare of poor and downtrodden. I learnt about his preaching when I was at Cambridge. But keep in mind, we have the same principles as the Protestants, William pleaded with his mother. He was rather subdued due to this unexpected situation.

His mother was not convinced; she was a woman of reason.

Mother, since my Cambridge days, I feel strongly about slavery; what these human beings suffer is beyond imagination. I met Clarkson and heard about Methodist preaching, which convinced me that I should fight to abolish the curse of slavery from our country, and the world too.

William’s explanation did not seem to make any difference.

You never talked about your thoughts to us, and conversion to this new religion. I got terribly upset as some of the congregation were talking about you and your conversion, her voice was of someone who had a bitter taste in their mouth, a result of derogatory remarks from so called ‘friends’.

I sincerely apologise for not keeping you informed. I hope you will forgive me. William was ready to take any punishment, even walking barefoot on ingle to improve the strained relations. But his mother was not in the frame of mind to either forgive or forget.

You will be attending different church, singing different hymns, perhaps having a Holy Communion, she explained why she was concerned.

Mother, we pray to the same Lord Jesus Christ, only difference is perhaps we think more about the poor and needy. Perhaps we are more Evangelistic too. One more thing, we like-minded have formed a group called ‘Clapham Sect’, which you might not have heard. We are ‘abolitionist’. One human being should not inflict such suffering on another human being. Mother, I am convinced this is a just cause.

William gave a long answer as if he was in the House of Commons.

His mother heard his reply in silence, and did not react in any way.

Hull Port, which was Wilberforce’s place, was never directly involved in slave trade, though there were bound to be indirect links. British population was aware of slave trade, but the common man never heard of the appalling treatment those slaves received or the atrocities committed upon them. Wilberforce’s own business had nothing to do with slavery. They were benevolent and philanthropic.

Listening to you, I feel I will not be able to change your mind, William.

I hope and pray you understand my reasons and will be contended, William said.

By this time, his mother’s anger had changed to annoyance and hope had changed to acceptance.

There was silence for some time as if both were digesting what had been said.

I think I must keep you further informed. There is some additional development, I have been advised to contest seat in county of York. It is a bigger constituency, which will give more weight to my opinion in the House of Commons.

Go ahead if you have made up your mind. But that means we in Hull would see you less than we already do, her tone was compromising; a mother’s heart was speaking—help than oppose.

I will be returning to Hull soon. Why don’t you accompany me? We will have plenty to discuss. Explain what you told me, to Hull residents too. She knew he will take the offer. You will need more funds to fight that seat too.

Chapter 3

Deception and Politics

House of Commons, London, England

Afternoon 12th May 1789

William Wilberforce, Member of Parliament, York, rose to give a speech; subject was: ‘Slave Trade and Abolish It’.

There were many interested parties against him, including owners of plantations all over the world. These were very powerful men, many of them from aristocratic communities, some elected Members of Parliament; if not sat in House of Lords, having power to reject House of Commons resolution. Some sat on Privy Council, which a year ago scrutinised slave trade in detail with many witnesses and threw its objection out.

William Wilberforce was a fine orator; with his melodious voice and well-prepared lines, he could deliver his oration for a considerable time.

This time, as he had just recovered from illness which made him weak, he could not prepare as he would have liked.

Honourable gentlemen— there were no women in the House of Commons, having no votes could not contest any seat—and honourable Speaker—Mr Addison was the speaker—"I would like to describe to you the appalling trade of human beings—the slave trade. One human being should not treat another human being this way. I heard some say that Africa has brought this business on itself. It is a fact that many African Negros are not only involved in it, but are making money too. But as a civilised society, we should not get involved, encourage or take part in it.

"France is deeply involved in slave trade. This house might be worried that if we stop, France will reap benefit by increasing this trade. They have West Indian, South American and other overseas colonies, hungry for labour force. Presently, it is undergoing a revolution too—somewhat unstable.

"You are all worried France will take advantage, but you are wrong. French Revolution says: ‘equal rights for all’, they will give rights to slaves too, and will stop this trade when we stop.

"Some honourable members of this House have been misinformed that slaves like captive life and rejoice by singing and dancing. How absurd. They sing lamenting songs and dance to escape beating.

I am aware that ports like Liverpool and Bristol will lose business but that can be replaced by some other trade with Africa.

William Wilberforce spoke for three and a half hours. It started getting dark, gas light and candles were lit.

Newspaper reporters, visitors and some of the members were moved with such a powerful, factual, practical and emotional speech. On other members, who were shrewd and manipulative, there was no palpable effect.

One of them was Henry Dundas, who later became Lord Melville. He was also very close to the Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. He had many wealthy friends who owned plantations abroad. He was on administration committee of India, virtual Minister of India.

Dundas was an accomplished politician with total control of Scottish politics, which gave him the nickname ‘King Harry the Ninth’. Dundas was vociferous against the antislavery campaign. Dundas got up from his seat and gave a forceful speech in his broad Scottish accent.

Honourable Speaker and honourable Members of the House, I would like to interject and like to give opinion on this sound subject. We need to take into account views of experienced people. I have been told by them that African Negros love to go to other countries. Only opportunity for them is slavery. Considering this aspect, I like to include words: ‘Gradual Abolition of Slavery’ in this resolution.

It was very late in the evening when the Parliament rose.

The following day, newspapers were full of Wilberforce’s praise, and felt he had won the debate; so did the public. It felt that his resolution would pass through the parliament.

The following day, there was further debate. When voting was taken, Wilberforce’s resolution was defeated by 83 votes to 163. Dundas’s modified resolution passed through with great majority; it meant there would be no change in slavery!

Wed. 25th March 1807

Houses of Parliament

Members’ Office

It was the darkest of days for Tarleton and Gascoyne who were Members of Parliament. They were joined by Lord Stanford.

I feel British people have been deceived by Wilberforce. If we stop slave trade, Napoleon, Portuguese or Spanish will not follow us. We will be the losers, Gascoyne said.

Wilberforce knew many did not support his pacifist view that Britain should not fight with Napoleon. He was warned by the Prime Minister and asked not to mix two subjects as sovereignty of our country was at stake.

Gascoyne continued, Three years ago, Wilberforce won in House of Commons, but not in Lords, so it was not passed. I hope this happens again.

Lord Stanford had the most to lose if slavery were to stop. He owned a large part of Trinidad. Managers of these farms were crying for more labourers to produce sugar. Though he boasted that he looked after the slaves so well that they forgot Africa, but when probed, he was not able to explain why there was such severe mortality rate and why no African babies were born.

Wilberforce boasts to be an evangelist, but the Book of Leviticus mentions in the Bible that ‘we have authority of slave trade’. Gascoyne was somewhat senior to Tarleton. He was impressive in appearance, well-dressed. He was good in speech and communication, which made him popular not only in his constituency but in the Parliament too.

James—Gascoyne was Lord Stanford’s bosom friend for many years, called him by first name—is there any other way we can get over this hurdle of farmworkers’ shortage?

Even if the abolitionists were to succeed in passing the resolution, I do not think there will be difficulty in getting slaves. Our navy will have the right to capture our slave ships, not foreign. French, Portuguese and others won’t stop, and we cannot catch them. I will try to contact them. Lord Stanford was confident that he had a solution.

It is not the situation or the problem that causes unhappiness, but not finding a solution creates chaos and creates worry, Gascoyne said.

Tarleton was a quiet person, good listener, opened his mouth to utter words occasionally.

Have you any solution? Stanford asked Gascoyne.

Why can’t we get Indian slaves? We could give them some different name. Let us call them ‘indentured labourers’. Young navy recruits are labelled indentured apprentices with fixed term contract. Perhaps we could call these Indian farm hands indentured labourers with indefinite contract. Gascoyne was a man of answers.

Keep in mind, we have not conquered all of India, yet. Western and Central India is ruled by Marhattas; they will not allow their citizens to be taken away at far lands. I learned there is infighting amongst them, and one of the factions has begged help from us. That sure will help us to govern over them, very soon. Lord Stanford was well-informed. It is the East India Company that is very protective of her citizens. We also have to be aware that if Wilberforce were to get even wisp of smell of our idea, he will make big noise too.

He wants to send many missionaries to convert Indians to Christianity, said Gascoyne.

I see nothing wrong in that; we British should spread civility and modern culture all over the world. We should admire that he feels for the poor, infirm and downtrodden, Stanford added.

I wish Henry Dundas would have been in politics still. He is called Lord Melville now. Single-handed, he postponed abolition for three decades by introducing words ‘Stop it gradually’. What a pity he is impeached for misappropriation of funds, Stanford went on talking.

Main topic today, how are we going to sort out the manpower issue in West Indies? You are a very influential person; please send a message to an important person and we will be fine, Gascoyne said.

The Secretary of State for the War and Colonies, William Windham, is like a ferocious guard dog who will not allow any interference in Colony affairs, Lord Stanford said.

Is there no other way? Gascoyne said.

I will find way out. A direct approach will be the solution, Stanford said.

Chapter 4

Search for Another Way

East India Company Headquarters

East India House

Leaden hall Street, London, England

21st March 1807

Lord James Stanford was about to enter the headquarters when he was stopped by the doorkeeper.

Squire, have you any business to attend? he asked.

I want to visit Sir Robert Rye. I want to discuss important business with him, Stanford said.

Stanford was rather upset that he was stopped by such a lowly person like this doorkeeper.

Are you aware I am Lord Stanford? Stanford asked.

The doorkeeper was not afraid or deterred by anyone; he was a seasoned person. He ignored his question.

When do you intend to see him? What business do you have? the doorkeeper persisted.

Lord Stanford’s irritation ascended to its peak due to repeat questioning, but there was no way out as he could not enter the premises without the doorkeeper allowing him in.

He tersely answered, You want me to repeat? I want to discuss an important subject with Sir Robert.

The doorkeeper was a middle-aged man, rather tall with a handlebar moustache. He had served in the Indian army, fought against Tipu Sultan in South India, who was annihilated establishing East India Company rule. He was protector of his master, not scared of anyone, be that person a Lord.

Does Sir Robert expect you? the doorkeeper persisted, instead of allowing to enter he asked the question.

I do not wish to waste time, let me in. I have no wish to tell you why I have come, Stanford said.

Mother Nature came to Lord Stanford’s help; it started raining heavily, soaking his clothes, as he did not expect such change in weather, he had no suitable clothes or an umbrella.

By this time, the doorkeeper was well placed inside the building, from where he said, Squire, I will allow you to enter the office.

When Stanford entered, he said, Sir Robert was not expecting you today, otherwise he would not have gone to House of Parliament to see Prime Minister Lord Grenville. As you know, he has to resign his post, King George does not like him.

Lord Stanford was surprised to hear such confidential information from a doorkeeper.

Grenville is a decent and a good man. Recently he allowed resolution of abolition of slavery to go through; that was his last act, the doorkeeper astonished Stanford even more with such detailed knowledge.

Squire, take a seat. I do not know when Sir Robert will come. He went directly from his home early in the morning and is expected to come after his meeting. I do not need to tell you it is not very close, takes about two hours, he had a rather deep, authoritative voice, legacy of his army career.

The doorkeeper had spent altogether five years in the Indian army. After the death of Tipu Sultan in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war, he went with Lord Wellesley and Marquis of Hastings, fought the Marhattas, where he was helped by low caste Marhattas, fighting against his own. They worshipped him, calling him Sahib or Saab. He could speak Hindustani, which created a close bond with them. He had fought many wars, that was the most difficult one, as the enemy was strong. But the British were well disciplined with better guns.

Lord Stanford did not know this background, neither cared about it. He was a Lord with large estate in the southeast of England, large manor, a castle and a keep. He was a respected person not only in his own town but all over Kent. He was addressed respectfully in House of Lords too. He expected the same behaviour by the doorkeeper. He thought such a servant would have recognised him by his attire, which was of a respected person. The doorkeeper’s clothes were of working class, though clean and well kept.

Stanford decided to register his unhappiness upon meeting Sir Robert.

He spent all afternoon in East India Company’s office. Rain followed snow; there was a third phase of weather, some sunshine too. It was late, the doorkeeper offered him beer and bread, which he accepted.

It was very late in the afternoon, nearly evening time, an orderly came on horseback with news and a message.

Sir Robert is not coming to Company office today. He had to help sort out an accident. William Wilberforce was going home from the House of Parliament in his carriage. There was something on the road which hit the wheel. The wagon and horses went flying, everyone was thrown off. The horseman is badly hurt, both horses have gone lame. We heard that apart from minor injuries, Honourable Wilberforce is alright.

"What does this have to