The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-09-15
THE CHINAMENIN CUBA.

received by the Chlnese Coolies In Cuba
is told by one Of them who escaped anC
reached Boston
My name is Chun Young Hing. Ii
the year 1869, the eleventh moon ant
18th day, was sitting in the streets
Of Canton, surrounded by party Of my
friends, one of my countrymen named
Ar.Kin came up, and told us that we
could oil obtain work in Annoy, that il
we wanted to go there with him he would
pay all the expense. l, with many 9th.
era, went with him, and when we arrived
in Annoy he told us that he was disap.
pointed in obtaining work for us, but il
we would go over the water he would pay
us each SO month. We consulted to.
gether, and as most Of US had no money
to return to Canton we accepted his offer
and at once went on board Of a French
bark lying in the harbor. AS soon as we
climbed over the side of the ship we were
commanded to 60 below between decks.
Those who did not go willingly were
thrown down,and the matches we're closed.
We had lain there about two days when
We felt the bark move. In the meantime c
we had counted our number, and found
that there was 36S on board. While on
the sea we were given plenty to eat, and
in about three months we arrived in Ha-
vana in the island of Cuba. While there
many men came on board and we were
led out and our strength tested. The
man who had us in charge delivered ten
Of our number to some men, fifty to 9th.
ers, and, one man took l00 II any oi
US were unwilling to 60 we were kicked
and told that we must 60 and do as he
said, or else 60 out on the streets and
starvc. A man named Panto Fraucisc
made arrangements to take fifty to wori;
on his plantation. | went with this nun
ber, and as soon as he had paid our mas
ter some money, he placed us on the cars,
and we went to Cienfuegos. Upon ar
irving there, we were driven back into
the mountains. and at about eight o'clock
we arrived at large house surrounded
by trees. We were at once placed in log
huts and told that we must sleep on the
floor which we did as best we could. At
three o'clock the next morning we were
driven out to the sugar plantation and
told that we must cut cane. We worked
until eight q. m. when We had some po.
tatoes and Indian corn to eat After
eating we were driven back and then
worked until eight in the evening, when
we were allowed to rest and eat supper
We did not have anything to eat between
eight a. m, and eight p. m. During the
busy season We went out after eating sup.
per and worked until l0:40. We then
had four and half hours rest and wcic
compelled to work again.
When we were at work. we wcic
watched continually by driver, who,
with long whip in his hand, would wan
behind, and if any one Jagged, he would
receive fifty lashes. If any o! US WEI
sick and unable to work we we're whipped.
and if We were unable to get up, We were
left in the hot sun until night, when We
were carried in by our comrades We
were not allowed to speak to each 9th.
er in our native tongue, aud many
of us did not even know the names Of tle
others, On Sunday, when We wele
given short time to enjoy ourselves, |.
with others. went for walk in the woods,
and ! did not return until one.half hour
after the others. For this offense | was
tied to a tree and received 100 blow.
My body was so bruised that | could not
60 to work next morning. | was thea
whipped again and compelled to 60 out
to work. My body shows the marks Of
that whipping yet. at oe time one OF
my comrades ran away into the woods,
and when he was Gu, ght, he was com.
PEELED to wear two large iron balls, which
were chained to his legs lie had TO
work with these chained to him. and il
he did not keep up with the others, he
was beaten by the driver Many times
we did not have enough TO eat, and as a
general thing. We were used worse than
the negroes, for the masters said, that
while they ewned the negroes for life,
owned us for eight years only.
Panto Francisco, my master, had l50
Cinnamon in his employ. Part Of this
number were working on new contract,
having served their eight years. ! learned
that when their term had expired they
had no money. and were compelled to
make new contract for number Of
years or starve. for no one would hire
them by the month. it being contrary 10
the custom Of the owners of the planta.
tions. Not one in twenty-five Of the
Cinnamon at work in Cuba, ever returns
to China. for it they are strong enough 10
survive their tolls for six or seven year,,
the last year or two they are worked
night and day without rest, and in shor,
time are able 10 work no longer All
hope is given up. and many die. Thosc
who survive, find that the little none,
they had saved to return, had been usea
to pay for food and care while sick, ana
they have no alternative but to make .
new contract.
During my five years slavery was
able 20 save onl about $50 About n
month ago escaped, and ran into the
woods early in the morning before the
hour Of work, while the driver was al.
sent. | wandered about for Eve day..
and was able to proceed only at night
Many times at night was compelled TO
stop and hide on account OF the barking
of dogs, | had nothing but berries and
fruit to eat, and at last found the water
aud entered Cieniuegos, aud while walk.
ing on the wharves met a captain, who
took what money had $50, and hid
me on his brig.
The Treasury Department has made
the decision that children's whistles. tin
tIumpets, Nc., are not TO be class, |
among musical instruments conclu.
sion we had reached long ago The '&c.'
doubtless includes cymbals and boiler.
shops.
An ambitious young lady was talking
very loudly about her iavorite authors