The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-10-17
lnsurrection Of CbsnsAe Laborers in
fe Perm

lnsurrectton Of GhsnsAe Laborers in
A Lima correspondent gives the following
account of The insurrectiop, battle and fight
of the Chinese laborers in Peru:
On the 4th OF September an occurrence
took place in the vicinity of Lima that will
have serious influence on the agricultural
prosperity of the country. During the last
fourteen years more than forty-6ve thousand
coolies have been introduced into Peru, gen.
orally of the worst possible class, and having
contracts for certain length of time, receiv-
ing miserable pay and worse treatment. On
many occasions risings of the Chinese have
taken place, in some instances followed by
fatal results, but never in such a general de-
gree as in the present case.
The cotton estates OF Pativilca and Galpon
are situated in the fertile valley of Supe,
about one hundred and fifty miles north of
Lima, and for long time have been noted
for their productiveness, owing to the skill and
energy Of the owners. On these plantations
nearly twelve hundred Chinese were en-
p.oyed, and in the immediate vicinity in the
nelghboring estates more than four thousand
o the coolies were contracted. Several months
since symptoms Of dissatisfaction were notic-
ed, but the Overseers and owners, trusting to
their authority and power, paid but little at
tention 10 these manifestations. Unfortu-
nately no precautions we've taken against sur
prise.
An agent of the estate Of PatviIca had
arrived rom Lima with large sum OF
money destined for the pay mcut of the labor
ers, and the purchase OF cotton from the sur
rounding planters. While this person, to-
gether with the overseer, The physic an, and
several other employees, were at supper on
the night OF the 4th inst, the dining loom
doors were suddenly broken OPEN, and a
crowd OF nearly two hundred coolies, armed
with stakes, pickaxes, shovels, scythes, and
every imaginable Weapon, burst in upon the
astonished whites. In less time than rrqulred
10 narrate 1t the Chinese had murdered all al
their victims save one, who, being grieyouslv
wounded, tell under the tab e aud was ,bouo ht
dead. Sacking the house and SECURING tha
revolvers and rifles on hand. the INSURGENTS
proceeded to the adjacent hacienda of jaInnn
and there repeated the same bal bari.ies Not
satisfied with killing the whites they encoun-
ured, the most revolving atrocities were prac.
tlsed on their dead bodies. and delicate
women and children subjec ed to shameful
ana cruel torture. The number of the Chi
hese now amounted to 100, their movements
appeared to be directed with some degree OF
lhteiliSehce by one who seemed to be hailed
as Chief. and having secured all the money
and valuables to be found in the estates. a
larger game was attempted IN the sacking OF
Barranca, about three miles distant.
In the meantime the owner OF an estate
that lay ON the road to that village was notl-
tied by friendly coolle OF the approach aud
designs Vt the marauders. Hastily placing
his wife and family in the chapel belonging to
the plantation, he, with ano her iriend,
stiongly barred the doors, ana received the
advanced column with The fire of their rifles
The Chinese were vigorous in the attack, hut
unaccurtomed to the use OF fire arms. thew
iell easily before the defenders or the church
ln less than two hours these two brave men
bad killed a. wounded more than sixty Of
the assaila is. SO desperate, indet d, had be-
come the attempts OF the la ter that retreat
was determined upon. and tle complish-
rnent Of their de i.u 10 sack the town Here
the lnhabltants had had tine to make prepar-
alons for defence. An impIomptu breast
work was erected at the entrance to the vii.
laGe, aid forty men well armed, were posted
be hind it 10 resist the assault. In short
time the Chinese, reinforced to the number ol