The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-29
THE CELESTlAtS IN new YORK.

Descrtion and Dostituaion OF the Tong Hook
Tong Dramatic Company-A Case tor Phil
laMihOplsts, &c.
manth two ago play going, sight seeing pub.
lie amused, ediasd and astonshed By the appear
OF large company of Chinese dramatstn at Nblos
theatre. Their magnificent costumes. antique styie
squeakng voices and extraordinary movements the
stage had for short time powerful attraction for the
lovers Of novelty Thsy depicted the religious u social
of the peop!eof tie Fowery Kipgdor end the
used in tho presence OF the Suns brother
the Emperor Of China and to the curious in such mat
ters the exhibition highly interesting But STILL
through some mismanagement on the part Of the
ger of the company, their but partial and
single week closed their representations Since then
the whce dramatic syoupe, fotytwo in nurlbsr, have
been residng in New York entirely destitute OF slnds
and In state Of the greatest poverty.
The following history OF their short career in this
country WILL while Illustrating the circumstances which
led 10 their present pul condition be highly interest
ing to readers aod perhaps prompt benevolent
messrres to be taken for their relief.
The Tong Hook Tong Company enjoyed eat reputation
for sbily in the city of Canton and throughout the
province OF Ks un of which that city is the capital
1t ccnplised faty performers all natives of China
for the most part az the province OF tuu a
Of whom under contracts to Amoo wealthy i'm
aqeGro Of Canton This gentlemans agent IS elderly
man named Likoon who has proved himself possessed of
very few qualifications for that responsible post Induced
by the wide spread reports of the fabulous wealth of Cali
orpia the Tong Hook Tong Company determined to make
venture thee intending, in short tirs, to make in-
deper dent fortunes for every member Of the corps.
Having arranged all their plans they set sail from
Canton, in charge Of Likoon, in the month of
July 1852 and arrived in San Francisco n the month of
August. Amoo, the proprietor Of tie company, re.
NAMED behind in China
Some time after they Rad arrived at San Francisco
they commenced giving performances. in the theatre
corner Of Dupont and Union Streets and continued with
consd cradle for five months. Here they
increased their company from among their courtrymer
a. San francisco to the large number of 1913 persons
all males the laws Of China understand not per.
hitting females to join that profession.
At this time variety Of offers msde to them by
persons specustiDg to bring them to Ne York and to
realize fortune from their exhibition. Several negotia
tions wers commenced and at length the 10th MsTch
one was concluded between Lkooa their agent ard Mr.
George w. Beach, representing himself the agent
wealthy ard responsible company, including Captain
Arnew, John Friston, D. S. Nmon, Mr.. r H. Collyer
and others.
This contract, copy Of which append bound them
for ten months to Mr. Beach, he paying them at the
of So 0co month"; and aefrcying all their rnscing and
hotel expenses slOooo paid to them in advance in
months salary to be paid within the first mSnth
I after their arrival in New York.
Articles Of agreement! antered into thia nineteenth day
of March thousand eight hundre6and fifty three.
between koon of contract with and manager Of
the Canton Tong Hook Tong Chinese Dramatic Company
patty of 1.-The first part and George " Beach, party Of
the second part all Of San Francisco State Of Czhorns,
| as follows, TO wit -
In considerations Il at the sad second party has
advanced TO the party Of tho first part the of
thousaDd dellsrs IN hand, for month and twenty
days salary, ana further stipuletes, premises, and
agrees to nay two Thousand dollars as herein after
I stated, and shal also defay all the necessary ex
| penses of the members of tina said company com.
| posed Of forty persons. In. the storage, viz =
IDte preter lar two cooks and thirty six performers
together with Lkoon and partner, in cabin, together
with ther luggage wardrobe, and stage appurtenances
Of the way fur her undertakes and promises to pay
the salaries ard expenses hereinafter stated The ssd
first party promises agrees and biz Oh himself TO transfer
let ard engage the said company TO ts said second rary
his assgpees esees representatives, to as rae and
complete extent he members thereof have ccptract
ed and bound themselves to him. TIE aforesaid Lkocn
sipulating az promising that his contract With thoa
Ia absolute ample and complete for the entire ulflmen'
of the intention and purpoe OF this contract for the
space Of ten months dating from the e o. tine frat
| presentation in New York.
2The said sscono party promises ard arees TO pay
the said first party the OF ak thtnsard doals
advance In the b. enning OF each month for the hrs
months OF which ten Thousand collars advances
in rart pay mep for the two first souths 6na foJms
part Of lh5 consideration of th.> contract and The ba
huoe~-t thousand eolaIste he paid b. before fh
srG OF Me fsst month after ARRIVAL IN Ne York a.
complees The psymeat o ths fss ,vp months ss.xr