Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-10
How the Importation of Chinese Labor
ers II Managed.

Letter 10 the San Francisco Bulletin Nov. a.
take the liberty of requesting you to in
sert the following statement Of facts concern
ing the alleged conspiracy prosecutions COM
menced recently in the criminal courts of
this city against several Chinese merchants
and the companies with which they are con-
nected. The article published in your issue
of Tuesday iscalculated.to predjudicethe pub
lie mind against the accused, and as believe
is wide of the mark as matter of fact. The
emigation from China TO this country is
principally from the populons province Of
Quong Tung, of which the city of Canton is
the capitol; and particularly from twelve or
thirteen minor districts of this province, lying
about Canton. These districts are represent
ted here by what are known as ''The Six
Companies the Ming Yeong" the "See
Yup," the "Sam Yup," the "Ymg Wo," the
"liop Wo,p and the cyan Wo," companies.
Every Chinanan who CONES 10 California is
under the protection Of one or the other of
these companies as il may represent his dis
trict He pays into its fund, on his arrival,
n small sum of money-say FIVE or ten dol
lars-and in return receives various benefits,
such as protection from imposition while
stranger TO our laws and customs, advice and
instruction in respect to mining districts and
availableopenings forhis labor in the interior
of the State, care in sickness if poverty over
take him, and burial and the return of his
remains to his native land. He is registered
upon the books OF the company, and its over
sight and care of his interests never ceases
while he remains here. Ifhe desires TO re-
turn 10 China at any time, he is required TO
presenthimselft to hiscompany, and announce
has intention of 80 doing. The Secretary of
intention 90 each of the other five Com
panies, which in their turn communicate
with their members and with the merchants
connec,edwiththem. 1.-The is indebted to any
OF them, the claim is forthwith sent TO the
Company 20 which the candidate for depar-
ture belongs, andhe is compelled 20 pay such
claim, and settle his affairs justly, and 10
produce his receipts for the payment of mi
ming, poll, and other taxes due the State OF
California, before he can even purchace
passage ticket for his nome. IL he has been
unfortunate in business his affairs are closed
by his Company, and il determines how
much should be exacted from him, and
what amount ftom his assets should I've left
with him. IL pays his debts with his assets,
or divides them pro ruto among his creditors.
When he has thus obtained clean bill of
financial and moral health, he is permitted
10 depart in peace. The leading China
merchants can all bear testimony 20 the
value Of these six Companies, and 10 the
perfect integrity which charactcrizes their
conduct. Indeed these houses contide en-
tirely 10 the six Companies the sale OF their
passage tickets for China, and receive no
Chinese passenger On their ships unless he
comes furnished with the Company ticket"
Before any China-bound ship leaves the
port Of San Francisco, the inspectors of the
six COMPANIES make thorough search ON
board for runaways and IL any are found
they are forthwith put ashore and compelled
10 wait till they can be discharged from, or
arc ready 10 paw their debts. This snryeil-
lance has been exercised for nearly sixteen
years with the best result and with the
knowledge and appreciation Of the merchan-
tile community and the municipal auihori-
ties The six companies have probably done
more &c preserve order and maintain our
own laws among the Chinese population all
over the State, than the entire machinery Of
our State and eity governments. The kid
mapping and importation Of Chinese women
has been entirely stopped through their
efforts, and they have expended many thou
sands Of dollars in returning 10 China hum
dreds OF such women who have been brought
and landed here. For faithful services in
this effort the 0fsrer-of the police to whom
Won abide received his gold star" With
this power. and possessing the entire coli
dcncc OF cur China merchants and shippers,
ffe hare neyer had any occasion 10 resort
40 conspiracy either 20 send away or deiaia
hero a single individual ChinamHn, and
there, has in facb never existed such case.