The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-02-06
CHINESE SLAVERY.
A Few Incident. or Voyage From China
10 Yeru--rh- Stewards Story.

TO Peru-rhc Stewards Story.
IL didn', tell you all that happened
on that voyage, during which l got a
Chinese queue" said George Birkenseer
to reporter, who was having his shoes
polished by the ex-stcward of n slave
vessel Tuesday morning.
Were there any other incidents
worth relating besides those which you
told me the other EVENING"" asked tho
reporter.
"Yes, there were several which l
didn't think of when | told you the
other Incidents, but it has all come back
to me. Since the story about my queue
was published in the sentinel. hundreds
of persons have asked me to show it.
am always pleased to do so. Now, l
will tell you an incident of the voyage
which may be interesting. You see,
every coolic ship has Chinese physi-
clan aboard to LOOK after the health OF
the slaves. When about halt way across
the ocean we discovered that the physi-
clan was quack and had a false GER
tificate, and had poisoned six slaves,
which was quite n loss to the contract
ors. These slaves would become dis
couragcd and want to XIII themselves or
jump overheard. The physician would
agree to kill them ii they would give
him all their money. They received
$50 each when they signed the con-
tract. We pever would have found out
the cause of SO many deaths among the
slaves had not one Of them, who was at
work on deck. been taken suddenly i'll,
turned black and began TO swell. The
body was taken aft and dissected, and
we found out enough to convince us
that the physician had done the mis-
chief. and he was placed in irons.
When he was searched all the money
belonging to the slaves whom he pois-
oned was found on him. When we AZ
rived in Callao he WAS turned over TO
the authorities for trial, but never
learned the result. 1t WAS noticed that
the bodies we threw overheard would
not sink, but floated on their backs, no
matter in what position they were
thrown in. When slave died he was
wrapped in his own blanket, and rope
tied around him, when be was ready for
burial. This physician, when asked
why the slaves died. would always say
Nc no sabe,' and that was all We could
get out OF him. He finally confessed,
and tod how he gave the slaves poison.
six weeks after the vessel | was on
landed, the last coolic ship arrived.
The Chinese government would not al
low any more coolies to be sent out, and
the Peruyians threatened q revolution
! il any more coolies should be brought
into Peru, as they had decided preju-
dice against the yellow race.
When a planter wanted to buy a
Coolie he would come aboard the ship
with physician and sound each coolie
on the chest and teeth until he found
one that suited him; then he would ask
what trade he WAS good at, and the sale
would be finished and the money paid
over TO the contractor. Ii the slave was
good ut blacksmithing or carpentcring
he was pat to work Mt one of these
trades A great many slaves would be
bought and sent to the haciendas or
sugar plantation in the interior, where
white man would be unable to work.
The coolies would die off like sheep
during a drouth sometimes, owing to
the unhealthy climate. When the
coolies would arrive at plantation
they would be driven into corral, and
ut night be taken back again. Over
every plantation majordomo was in
charge. He goes about Oh horseback,
armed with . sword, pistols, and whip,
and if any slave ncgiects his work he is
made 80 ferl the lash.
Did not the slaves resent the brutal
treatment OF the ovcrseersP"
Yes, sometimes they did, but not
often. remember once maiOrdomo
was Killed with his own weapons by q
cootic, The proprietor Of the planta-
ton ordered the slave to be dashed to
death rs AN example to the others, SO
that they would IL. more careful about
killing those who had them in charge.
The proprietor djdn'i like 10 have the
slave killed, BECAUSE it was 500 out OF
his pocket, but If he did not do so he
would not be able to hire another maj
ordomo.
'.In Lima AMI Callao the restaurants
are owned by Chinese. After they have
served eight year, they have about $3.50,
which they have saved from their wages,
Fat 81 u month. Then, say about eight
Of them form q partnership and start 4
restaurant. During the time they have
been in the country they have not neg
lectcd to study the national taste and
fix up food to suit the palates OF the Pc
yuv;auc Soma ~ tho Cinnamon are
very wealthy Santa Cruz Sentinel.