Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-17
PRICE: FIVE CENTS.
THE CHINESE IN CALIFORNIA.


Mr.. Bowles, in his last letter to the Spring
field Republican, gives an Interesting account
of the Chinaman as he is found in the far
West. No fewer than sixty to eighty thou
sand representatives of the pig tailed nation
are found scattered through the Pacific
States and Territories, and they number
from one-eghth TO one-sixth Of the entire
population. This harmless, industrious pco-
pie are engaged in almost every occupation
the work OF women as we'll as OF men.
Chinese labor is building the Pacific Railroad
these yellow workmen can, by their stes-
dy industry, do nearly as much in a day, even
in this rough labor, as the average of white
men, and they cost only about half as much,
say $50 month against ESQ. White labor.
too, is not to be had in sufficient quantity for
the work. Useful to new coun ry as the
Chinese are, however, they are oppressed
rather than protected by the laws. Their
testimony is inadmissible against a white
man, and as miners they are subject TO
heavy tax, while they are the victims Of
much abuse and cruelty from individuals
They bring their own manners and customs
with them, and are, as class, idolateis aud
sensualists, although the labors of the few
missionaries among them have been to lin
tied extent successful.
The Chinese merchants OF San Francisco
are intelligent men, and Speaker Colfax aud
his party were entertained at dinner by the m
before leaving the city. The dinner, OF
rather series Of dinners, consisted Of three
parts, at each Of which u dozen or twenty
different courses were served, and of each
of them each person was expected to tako
only mouthful. Between each dinner tie
guests retired to another room, and smoked
liafa 90 anO eli i,t- taa. -.
was a marvel Of elegance, but conveyed Ieiy
little gaslronomic satisfaction to the Ameri-
can guests. Mr.. Bowles writes:
g / went to the table weak and hurgry;
but found the one universal odor aud favor
soon destroyed all appetite, and | fell back
resignedly on a constitutional incapscity 10
use the chop-sticks, and was sitting with
grim politeness through dinner No. 2, when
there came an angel in disguise to my relief
The urbane chief of police Of the city ap-
peared and touched my shoulder There is
gentleman at the door who wishes to see
you, and would have you bring your hat aud
coat There were visions of violated city
ordinances and assisting at the police
court next morning. | thought, too, what u
polite way this man has of arresting a stranger
to the city. But, bowing my excuses to my
pig tail neighbor | went joyfully to the IN
known tribunal. A friend, leading bank
er, who had sat opposite to me during the
evening, and had been called out few no
ments before, welcomed me at the street
door with, b, knew you were suf-
fering and were hungry let US go ard got
something to eat-a good square meal" SO
ws crossed to an American restaul ant tho
lost appetite came back, and mutton chops,
squads, fried potatoes and bottle Of cham
pagne soon restored me. Ny friend insisted
that the second course of the Chinese din
ner was only the first warmed over, aud that
that was the object of the recess. However
that might be, this is how went to the
grand Chinese dinner, and went out when it
was two-thirds over, aud got something to
eat.'