The Shasta courier., 1854-08-12
THE SHASTA COURIE R.
The Chinese DimcuIiy.
WEAvARyILLE, August 1st, 1854.

Ing the one upon which the people OF this-county
rely for intelligence in regard to their local mat
ters, we trust you will permit US, through your
columns, to correct some of the groundless ru-
mors That prevail in this vicinity, in regard to
the origin and nature of the difficulties pre-
vailing among our fellow countrymen here We
take this liberty, believing that many OF your
readers will lie glad to know the facts and that
u brief statement of The cause of this quarrel
among the Chinese will do away with many OF
the obstacles thathave so far prevented recon-
Citation of the parties and restoration of quiet
among them.
There are four separate companies of China
men in this county, namely, the Yung-wa, the
se-yep, the Neng-yong, and the Sam-yep Com
panies. The Yong-wa Company call themselves
Hong Kong men, and the other three companies
These companies are as independent of each
other many American mining companies
would be in their ordinary business.
In April last these four companies. by mutual
consent, became the joint proprietors of, and
opened public gaming house in this village
In June Chinaman belonging to the Yong-wa
company, was playing against the bank at ta-
BILE kept in this house by Canton man, when
a dispute arose as to who was winner of small
stake (less than dollar) The Hong Kong man
snatched the money from the table, and ran into
the street, pursued by the owner of the table. A
squabble ensued. in which several engaged on
each side; but no considerable injury
tanned by any of them. The Yong Company
took side in favor of their companion, and the
other three companies sided againsth hiEa. From
this small beginning very serious quarrel grew
up. Taants, threats and challenges sent
by the Yong-wa Company. and that Company
began to prepare arms. They Frequently came
in front of the houses of the Canton men, and
dared them to fight. The other three compa-
nies after this prepared arms; and the result
W as the fight, of which the community are al
ready advised.
We are informed by American citizens, that
the Hong Kong men have industrously circulated
a report that the fight originated IL an attempt
on the part OF tie Canton men to collect tax
from them, in support, some say, OF the Emperor
of China and bis government, and others, that /:
is imposed to sustain peculiar police organiza-
ton among the Chinese population; and we
find this idea very prevalent among the Ameri-
can people here.
Now he allegation Of an attempt to levy
tax is wholly without foundation; and ques-
ton of veracity may arise here. permit us to
fabrication, for the credit due to the statements
we make, 10 his Excellency, Gov. Bigler, Rev.
VIM. Spear (who speaks the Chinese language.
and is veil acquainted with our affairs both here
and in China,) Messrs. Brown, Pratt Il Tracy,
and other business men In San Francisco, with
whom have the honor to have become ac
quanted.
No tax or charge is imposed or claimed by
any Chinese, or their Government, except as
follows: lst. Each lmnigran from China at
the time of his landing in this country, is re-
quired to pay into Hospital fund ten dollars,
which fund is appropriated to relieve the wants
of the newly arrived imni grant, the poor, the
sick, and to bury the dead.
I'd. Each company of 100 200 men,
more or less, as the case may be, employ and
pay man a reasonable salary for taking the
pervision of their affairs; but no man pays any
such tax or impost to 60 out OF his own compa-
ny; nor has any attenpt ever been made by
any company to interfere with another in this
respect in this county, or in the State.
The Yong-wa men have also reported that the
quarrel Is the result of old feuds-that they are
of the revolutionist party at home. and that the
Canton mep are Inperialists. This statement is
as absurd and false the other Both ReFolu-
tionists and Imperialists are to be found IN each
party and are as often found in the one as the
other No s1ch dividing line can be traced
back of the quarrel at the gaming table, nor
has it existed since.
So far are these allegations from the truth, and
so much absurdty do they involve, that we
should not mention them, did not their constant
repetition produce an impression on the minds
of the Americans, which materially increases
the difficulty OF restoring quiet among those who
have unfortunately involved themselves in this
useless quarrel. Every Cinnamon knows that
no such tax could be collected; and that 1t at
tempted its resistance would be sustained both
L ! ft,e ,ln 0f fl,ro
They know the feeling and principles of the
American people in this respect whose motto IS
Millions for defence, but not one cent for trlb-
ute"
The inventors of these absurdities put them
forth in hones Of enlsting the sympa'hes OF the
Americans Oh one side. by an appeal to the high
aud honorable sentiments for winch they are so
Justly celebrated. aud ii possible induce them TO
become partizans in matter upon wnlch they
must look with contempt and pity when they
become aware Of its origin.
Perhaps had they known that the anmoslty
was famed into flame by man who mas no
better .llng than tina: OF keeping brothel-
who. being more acquainted with Inc EnSlish
language than any other, could put IN circulation
such reports as he chose without lear OF iHme-
,Iiate contradiction, and had they known that he
was making money out of his own companions
by the excitement, we think very few Amerl-
cans would have sympathpised with hines
pecially as his company is the only one that has
introduced any public women into the country
We came from San Francisco Immediately at
ter being Informed of the difficulty, III hopes OF
adjusting it; but as yet we tind SO many o6sia-
cles To contend with. that the task seems diffi-
cut. Had the fight been conducted according
to the plan agreed upon between the parties;
there would have been but little bloodshed, and
it is probable that all parties would have ablded
the result, and considered the matter settled :
bnt owing to the impressions made by the re-
nor.s above referred to, crowd of persons 9TH
| er than Cinnamon sided with the attacking par
| ~ and rushed in between the company on
| which the charge was made aud the other two
companies of Canton men, thus leaving about