Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1880-11-18
CHINESE IN c%ALIroRSlA.

When did the Chinese first appear in
California? is q mooted question, and
one rather difficult to answer. History
II not at all explicit on this particular
point. yet there 10 NO doubt that they
visited the Pacific coast Of both North
and South America many years before
any citizens Of the great American BE.
public vsntursd across the continent.
Indeed, as to that matter. Asiatic origin
10 traced in many Of the aboriginal tribes
and their language. As the commerce
OF the world has enlarged and extended.
Chinese. japanese. Kanakas and other
natives Of the islands OF the Pacific have
been found among the crews OF ships
travsrsing the blue waters and trading
along the Pacific shores OF the contn-
emit, and the Asiatie met the Spaniard
here ct least a. soon a. the Anglo Saxon
did. A Democratic speaker In the re-
cent political campaign. illustrating his
argument that the Chinaman followed
on the track Of the white man whsrsver
he went. was reckless enough 10 state
that iu the great rush OF Americans to
California consequent upon the discov-
cry Of gold. the first who arrived found
NO Chinese. and that those pistailed
Asiatics did not commence coming until
q year or Two afterward. This certainly
was q grave blundsr. and showed that
the speaker was not well posted in the
matter.
On the second day Of October. lS4s.
the writer Of this landed in San Fran.
cisco. Among the frat objects Of curl
osi,y among the queer throng Of people
from all parts Of the world that attracted
his attention was a Chinaman walking
along the foo, Of the Plaza; q genuine,
moon..y.d. pistailsd. full.blOwn China
man. with tigbt.lssgsd. bssgy-ssatsd
pants. silk stockings. Chinese shoes. fow-
ing blouse and little rsund skall-caP. he
followed him about for half IN hour.
wondering II that ~odd-looking chap was
made up for . circus clown, or what.
Three week aiterward be found lying at
the lsvse at Stockton o strangs-looking
craft; . sort OF compromise between .
Chinese junk and . down-East fishing
schooner. She had been there some
weeks, and came from Hong Kong with
Q Chinese crew and passengers and an
American for captain. Her model below
deck was very neat and Of the clipper
srdsr. being built in China for an opium
smugslsr. and on each aide Of her high
pointed stern was her name in good
American letters. '~'Anopyma." Whether
she wal the arst Chinese vessel that
ever came to California dsp0nent know.
eth not. but she probably was not.
November 4th. while on the road to
Woods creek. in the Southern mines.
just before reaching the stanislaus river,
the writer met nineteen Cinnamon. Car.
rying their baggage. etc.. after the usual
style. with . pole across their shoulders.
They were returning from the mines.
having been driven out by the white
minsrs. Some Of them spoke English.
and In reply to questioning said they
found plenty Of gold in the d~iesings,
but Mclean man no good for China
man; like ash,se." They were q part
Of the crew and passengers Of the
Anonyus. Thus 1t will be seen that
even at that early date the gentle Mon
golisn was not in high favor with the
whites and the Chinese had to 60. The
writer saw none In the mines during
that winter OF 1919. but plenty Of them
in the year following. Ms1icsns. prin.
cipslly from Sonora and the Pacific
ports Of Mexico. being experienced in
placer gold mining. generally took the
lead In prospecting and discovery. and
most Of the richest gulchss and ravinss
were suttsd out BY them In advance Of
all others. Americans followed them
pretty closely. however. and the Chinese
always followed the Americans.