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- Oct.21, 1894
Dear Directors of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Victoria,
We write this letter to inform you of a case of embezzlement. Liu Wan, Huang Ci Qin, Huang Zhong Jun, fishery workers in San Francisco, reported a criminal suspect who absconded with embezzled money, and was eventually captured in Victoria. They requested that we ask the Chinese Ambassador to England to address a note to the British Government to extradite the criminal suspect in order to prosecute him and to console the afflicted workers.
This year 118 fishery workers made a contract with Hua Xing Chang Co. for a project worth $18,000. They worked for half a year without being paid. They asked Huang Run, staff member of Hua Xing Chang Co., for payment, but were refused by giving various excuses. Meanwhile Huang Run made another contract, in the name of Huang Song, with a westerner for the same project. On 14th this month Huang Run absconded with the embezzled money. The workers were lucky to get help from Li Ya Dun, Lawyer of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in San Francisco, who asked the police to issue a wanted circular to all the cities. On 17th Huang Run was captured in Victoria. According to the telegram he had $5,700 with him. Where is the remaining over $10.000? It might be kept in Hua Xing Chang Co., or hidden in some other places. Without their work payment, the 118 workers have no food nor shelter.
They jointly request that we ask the Chinese Ambassador to England to address a note to the British Government to extradite the criminal suspect so that the criminals are punished and the workers can get the payment to support their families. The criminals like Huang Run who disregard law and discipline should be severely punished, otherwise the interests of merchants and workers are not protected. The police in San Francisco had sent a telegram to Victoria police for the extradition. Besides, it is decided that a San Francisco policeman, a representative from the fishery company, Mr. Chen Fu from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in San Francisco， and Li Wan himself will go to Victoria to identify the criminal suspect and bring him back to San Francisco. In case the criminal suspect might play tricks to try to escape, our representatives will give you this letter for your help with it. If Huang Run does not plead guilty and return the embezzled money, we shall request the local authority to punish him severely, and inform the office of the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to arrest his family in his hometown. We shall show no mercy to anyone who is involved in his embezzlement.
We hereby require that you inform all the merchants to follow our instructions.
The Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco
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