The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-07
THE CHINESE IN AMERICA.
Interview Between the Committee of
Ways and Means and Prominent Chi
nese Merchants of San Francisco.

In San Francisco, June Is, Senators Wade
and Conkling and the House Committee of
Ways and Means met with the representatives
of the Chinese companies Of the city and
several Of the leading merchants and bankers
There was an interchange Of compliment and
sentiment, and one Of the Chinese represen :
atives, Fung Tang, delivered the following
speech:
Ge,ulemen-It gives me, and all Chinese
merchants Of San Francisco, great pleasure to
meet honorable senators aud members OF Con-
g1ess OF the United States. We are made very
happy by seeing you here, for we can explain
to YOU our wishes and the wants OF our people.
Our government took pleasure in appointing
an American amb lesador to make treaties
with foreign powers, and We are satisfied with
YOUR treaty with our nation, but want the just
protection it promises. America ls probably
better known to the Chinese people than any
other country, because many OF our people
have lived here, and written home faithful ac-
counts OF the country. China is o very old na-
ton. but our people have learned many new
things from the Americans. The population Of
China is very large, aud intercourse between
our countries will be very intimate. II We have
Just laws to project US. You probably know
that We have very rich merchants and bankers
in China. but we cannot advise them to risk
their capital here when their agent cannot
testify in your courts, for like your own
capitalists they wish to know that
their property ls protected and secure to
them before parting with it. Much gold and
silver is boarded IN China which might be
used profitably here. il the Chinese felt sure
We had full and proper protection. We mer-
chants have tried to be honest and fair in our
dealings with your mer ,hauts here, and have
paid our debts to Americans ds scrupulously
as to our own people. The managers OF some
of your largest San Francisco firms, engaged
in trade with China who have trusted us. for
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars at time
without security. are here to prove tho truth
of what say. We have introduced your grain
and other American pl oduce into CHINA, aud
labored to establish trade, whlch, II properly
encouraged, must prove OF great value to this
country. We hope you will pass law doub-
hing the Government pay to Your ine OF CHINA
steamers. and oblige them to run each way
twice month; for we feel certain that the cost
will be SIN Ill, when compared to the benefits
your country will receive. Captain Eldridge
will tell you how much OF their freight and
passage money is paid by our people now-aad
should YOU Increase your number OF trips, We
will do all in onr power to support this lIne,
and thus insure lts success.
At the banquet given In this city before the
sail np VI the first American steamship 10 :
China. made speech full OF congratulations
on the commencement Ut this great enterprise.
AL Chinese telt very happy, because We
thought it would make our nations better &C
aualnted, and we hoped you would, by knowing
us, learu to Ike US, and be willing TO protect
US from some evils we now suffer. and which
we think unjust. We think your special tax
collected only from Chinese mners, Is not &C
cording to our treaty With your government.
We are willing to pay taxes cheerfully when
taxed toually with others. We also think the
tax of five dollars collected from each China
man for coming into this State is not right,
| il this 10 free countrv. But most OF all we
| feel the want OF protection to life and prop
erty when courts Of jusIlce refuge our testi-
mony, and thus leave us defenceless aud un-
able to obtain Just ce tor ourselves, and often
for others. The Chinese who Come to Cafor-
uia to labor are poor men, 60 our companies,
which are formed to ussIst them. and not to
oppress them, advance money to br1nR them
here; but no slavery exists at all among our
people, for every man receives wages tor his
labor and works voluntarily. Some people IN
California have said we had slaves here. out
it is not true. We make men contribute from
their earnings enough to pay their debts, II
money has been advanced to bring them to
this country. China can furnish you good,
faithful, industrio men to cultivate rice aud
cotton IN your southern States IT you wish 20
employ them; or to ralse tea and SILK
| in California, II you will make laws to protect
and make them feel safe, and insure them
equal Justice with other nations, according
| to their treaty with your government. AS q
people, We wish to do right aud treat all people
we'll. II you will converse with my country
men here TO-DAY, they will answer any ques-
tlons you wish to ask, and We hope, on your
return to Washington, you will speak favorably
| Of us to the United States Government. For
| all Chinese in California and the Chinese mer-
chants of San Francisco, we welcome you
here, and thank you kindly for thinking OF us
and honorlng us with visit. We have receiy-
| ed much kindness from many excellent people
| in California, all OF which We appreciate, and
for winch we gratefully ender our thanks.