Lord John Russell

A member of the Whig party, John Russell had become head of the Colonial Office in September 1839 from Lord Normanby. He believed that while the export of labor to British Guiana had been a failure, sufficiently stringent regulations should protect Indians going to Mauritius under a one year contract of indenture. This belief was based on the opinion that coolies travelling to Mauritius would receive higher wages and better conditions than what were available in India.

For more information concerning John Russell see:
Cumpston, I.M. Indians Overseas in British Territories. London: Dawsons of Pall Mall, 1969.

Image from: Bigham, Clive. The Prime Ministers of Britain
New York: E.P. Dutton and Company, 1924. Permission Requested.