The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-07-09
From the Japan Herald, April 18th.
THE Japanese in Hawaii.

mat tnere are Two sldes 10 every story Is q
fact pretty patent to every body, and the history
of the first experiment in coolie emigration from
Japan furnishes an apt illustration. On the one
hand, VIC lately had correspondents of American
newspapers referring to the wretched condition of
the imports to Hawaii, and rumors amongst the
natives of letters received from those who had
gone, bewailing their fate on the other, we had
Mr.. Van Reed, whose probity and verify stand
unimpeached, assuring us that the men were
kindly treated, well fed, and paid in excess of
agreement, whilst a moribund contemporary
(whose accuracy was also assured-in its EDITORS
eyes) sing classical peans of praise in honor of
the promoters OF the scheme, even on the day
that Commissioners set sail for Hawaii to enquire
INTO their countrymen's alleged distress. Dined
and fcted, things appear to have been shown them
in the most favorable light, and out of $50 coolies
the Embassy appear to have found only 80 desir-
Gus to return. These men landed in good health,
well clad, with watches and gauds that a thousand
years servitude at home would never have pro-
cured them and were confidently looked on as
missionary lecturers on the advantages of emigra-
ton and proven examples of Its good results. On
Monday, the 18th inst, we received this letter.
To the Editor of the q Japan Herald"
KANAGAwA, KENCHo, April 4, 1870.
DEAR R:-I beg to send you for the information
of your readers the enclosed letter or report, sent
to Saibansho here by 80 japanese, who have re-
Gently been brought back from Hawaii by His
Imperial Majesty's Ambassadors
! have the honor to remain Sir,
Yours respectfully,
ID. SuIBATA.
THE COMPLAINT.
We, the undersigned, have the honor to state
that in the 4th month of the LIST year of Meiji we
entered into a contract to work at the Hawaiian
Islands for the term of three complete years, for
81 per month per head wages, the contractor I
promising to advance to each of us the sum of
SO previous to our departure from Japan. The
contractor, however, did not pay us the promised
advance. On the End day of the 5th month we
reached Honolulu but on our arrival we were
each of us separately employed by different for
eigners, who also reduced our wages to So per
month. thereby causing US the greatest distress.
Our respective employers treated us miserably {
and supplied hardly any accommodation for us,
whereupon We complained to them but instead
of obtaining any redress, we were imprisoned.
There were none of us who were not imprisoned
twice or thrice, and each time we were released
we were mulcted in the sum of 8 or 10 dollars
which seemed as IT we were charged according to
the number Of days we were in prison. At last
we had almost determined to die, when we re-
ceived certain information of the arrival OF the
Imperial Ambassadors; and our fellow country
men applied to them to take us back with them
to japan. On the 2Sth of the 18th month last
year, we embarked, and arrived here on the 9th
day of the End month of the present year. We
are now greatly reioiced that we are released from
imprisonment, and that all the hardsbips which
we have been suffering have passed Hway like a
dream. How thankful We ought to be to our
merciful Government. Should there be any bal
ance of wages due to us by the contractor, we
wish to offer the same to the Government as a
token of our gratitude. In conclusion, in order
still further to testify our gratitude for our rescue
from such a miserable position, we respectfully {
beg that, should any service be required by the {
Government, We will take the gaeatest pleasure Z
in doing it with all our might, and without any {
wages at all. 4 #lr.l a.
For the above purpose we have made the fol-
lowing conditions and sealed them with our blood
I've will obey all orders issued by the Dali
okwan.
live will hereafter do whatever unpleasant
service may be ordered by the Government. T.
Hive will not complain even if we have not
saten for five or six days. -a.-esf = .
1--WE will take neither good food nor saki. r
We will not make any quarrel.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our p.
Hood seals the 18th day of the End month of the 8
|rd year Meji. RIosUKE, P
and SO other japanese.
To the Saibansho, Kanagawa.
1t will be seen from this that the rumors which S
cached here were not altogether unfounded, al
hough the document has a s' fshy I" appear
nee, that precludes entire belief in its assertions.
The closing gush of gratitude, vows of obedience, Z
proffer of unpaid wages to the Government, {
how out two much like the drawing masters
nishing touches on a dull pupils sketch.
1t is now quite time that the discrepant state B
tents upon this subject should be tested, and if, :
8 has been suggested, this complaint is to form r
he pretext for fobidding all emigration whatso- y
yer, it behoves Mr.. Van Reed as the representa-
i've champion of Hawaiian interests to thoroughly
ft the matter, to obtain if possible, the report
{ the Commissioners, and test its assertions for
imself. At present the general opinion appears
be that the coolie traffic is not 8 a trade which o.
good " Japan Iimes) but that with their n
and national mendacity, the emigres =
have made the worst of the story they
i'd to tell, under the guidance of paternal au-
lority. 3
aa- THE REPLY.
To the Editor of the Japan Herald" =
KANAGAwA, April 6, 1870. =