Dear Editor,
It is customary during historic occasions, like the 175th Anniver-sary of the presence of East Indians in the Caribbean, to extol their manifold contributions to the development of the region. While suitable memorials are being erected in Guyana in commemoration of (Indian) Arrival Day we tend to overlook the contributions of ‘forgotten heroes’ who dedicated almost their entire lives to the upliftment of the most exploited group of workers, the indentured Indians, who toiled for nearly 80 years under the iniquitous indenture system. One of these ‘forgotten heroes’ was James Crosby, the longest serving Immi-gration Agent-General in the recipient colonies.
For 22 years (1858-1880) this indefatigable public official headed the Immigration Department in British Guiana at a time of planter dominance and Indian helplessness. He so intimately identified himself with the Indian immigrant population that he became “a sort of deity and impersonation of protection,” so much so that the Immigration Department became synonymous with Crosby.
Despite chronic staff shortages, poor transportation, an ever-increasing indentured population and his ignorance of Indian languages, Crosby “burnt at any sense of wrong and the defenceless at once made him a crusader.” He was a man of exceptional industry, and he discharged his onerous duties fearlessly throughout his long and eventful career. Indentured workers regularly approached him with full confidence that their complaints, no matter how trivial, would be carefully attended to, thoroughly investigated and speedily redressed.
Arrayed against him were the influential plantocracy, who comprehensively monopolized both economic and political power, the pro-planter press, the moneyed interests and imperious Governor Francis Hincks who had a penchant for personal vendetta. In fact, Hincks, from the “dangerous neighbourhood of Belfast,” not only stripped Crosby of his prosecutorial powers but also denied him travelling expenses. This prevented him from investigating the cascade of complaints which warranted his personal attention. It was indeed a herculean task but Crosby never flinched, as he was motivated by a fervent desire to secure justice and fair play irrespective of the consequences. While others, even governors, endeavoured to appease the planting interests, Crosby refused to succumb to pressure in his relentless pursuit of justice.
Crosby’s vigorous advocacy of the rights of indentured workers could hardly be matched. It was Crosby who secured for indentured Indians a recognized daily minimum wage, reduced working hours and additional pay for extra work. It was Crosby who repeatedly exposed defects in the law and the bias of magistrates in their interpretation of it. It was largely through his perseverance, untiring industry and legislative scrutiny that a perceptive improvement occurred in the lot of the oppressed. Concomitantly, his ability, uprightness and fearless discharge of his duties incurred the odium of the plantocracy.
When he died in 1880 at the age of 74, the tributes, inter alia, extolled his “sterling and valuable qualities” his “indefatigable and loving services,” his “amiable qualities” and his conscientiousness and ability. Crosby’s funeral on 3rd August 1880 brought together the largest crowd seen in Georgetown for several years. Flags were at half-staff throughout the capital. Besides Governor Cornelius Kortright and members of the legislature, some 300 Indians had walked for over 15 miles to pay their respects to ‘Burra Crosby.’ Both the Royal Gazette and ‘Missionary’ called for the establishment of a movement to raise funds for the erection of a suitable memorial of this incredible Englishman.
As we observed the 175th anniversary of these resilient, enterprising people, the need for a loving memorial to honour this champion of the oppressed is as pressing as ever. I urge the Government of Guyana, the Indian Arrival Committee, Indians in the diaspora and the Guyanese public to implement this call made 133 years ago without delay.
Yours faithfully,
Basdeo Mangru
York College
City University of New York
