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- May 3, 1884
Dear Fellow Chinese,
We Chinese travel all the way from afar to Victoria, a remote and cold land. We work hard to make a living, and life here is never easy. Every penny is hard earned, no money is spent without reason, and we have families to support back at home in China. We reside in a place not called a home, where danger lurks on every side. Against us there come the discriminating laws, how can we live and work in peace?
In 1879, the British Columbia Legislature tried to pass a discriminating law compelling every Chinese to pay $40 annually for a license to live in the province. Protests arose everywhere, Chinese merchants and workers held strikes, and they raised funds to fight for its abolition in Court. The Chinese Ambassador to England sent an official protest to the British Government. All these efforts caused the abolition of the discrimination law. Just a few years gone by, the bad laws unexpectedly become aggravated. This year the B.C. Legislature passed new laws: Firstly, no Chinese new comers are permitted to entering British Columbia. Secondly, every Chinese in B.C. over 14 years of age must pay $10 annually to get a license to live in the province, gold-miners pay $15. Thirdly, a minimum residential density of 380 square feet per person in a Chinese residence is demanded. Fourthly, a permit must be applied for to ship back to China the deceased Chinese. Fifthly, Chinese are not allowed to smoke cigarettes. These laws shall soon go into force one by one. We assume that China and England have trade relations and are friendly nations. How could England treat us so mean and so harsh, different from others ? If we do not take any remedial measures as soon as possible, we Chinese shall have no livelihood nor shelter, and no end of trouble for the future.
Therefore, we, merchants in Victoria, discussed over and over again, and reached an agreement that we should seek protection from the Honorable Huang Zun Xian, the Chinese Consul-General in San Francisco. Messrs Huang Yan Hao, Xu Quan Li, Feng Jing Gao, Ma Xin Ming were appointed as representatives to go to San Francisco to report to the Consul-General. Now the Honorable Huang Zun Xian permitted to forward our case to the Chinese Ambassador to England to send again an official protest to the British Government. He also instructed that we raise funds, firstly, to hire lawyers for the case, and secondly, to be prepared for the establishment of The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. This Chinese representative body could, therefore, address all the issues concerning the Westerners, and do benevolence by taking care of the sick and the poor Chinese. These are great merits and virtues.
For the benefits of the Chinese in British Columbia, even if it is out of his jurisdiction, The Honorable Huang Zun Xian spared no effort to give us help. We should follow his instructions and act immediately. We hereby issue the Notice to appeal for contributions to, firstly, the campaigns against the discriminating laws and taxes, and secondly, the establishment of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. These are two great events. With them successfully completed, we shall all benefit a great deal; with them failed, we shall suffer from the consequences. Every Chinese should actively contribute so as to help relieve the extremely urgent threat and have a permanent solution. It is proposed that every Chinese contribute $2. If the discrimination laws and taxes were abolished, we Chinese in Victoria could continue running our business without worrying about any foreign threat, and could even make further development. Contribute $2 now, no $10 payment forever. No detainment for the gold-miners; nor penalty for residents. These are all infinite benefits. Further, when the Association is established, we could unite all Chinese to do more good deeds. We suppose that all the Chinese in the communities could see the prospects and be wise to make the contribution. This 2$ one time contribution, instead of two times contribution, could help bring about two major issues. This $2 contribution is not much, no more than a person’s one working day wage, nor more than expense of a friend entertainment. Small contribution of each person builds up great deeds for the public.
Besides, the Honorable Huang Zun Xian, the Chinese Consul-General in San Francisco has tried to protect and help us with all his efforts. This is a good opportunity we could not afford missing. We should live up to his expectations, and attend to our own interests. If not every Chinese is eager to contribute, and this opportunity is missed, we could have no others to protect and help us next time. We have to remind everyone of its importance. We, merchants in Victoria, live in a bigger city, could experience the threat prior to others. We should contribute more and do more for the benefits of all the Chinese. When the funds are raised, we shall make a list of income and expenses to be posted for examination, and send it to the Honorable Huang Zun Xian for audit. If there are any cheat and fraud we shall be severely punished.
The following is a list of contribution regulations:
1. Every Chinese should contribute $2. If anyone contributes more than $3, his name and native place would be recorded on a notice board to be displayed in the Association for praise.
2. The contributor should list his name, age, native village, native city and career on the contribution book.
3. Any contribution should reach, before October 3, 1884, the account of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Victoria, and a receipt shall be given to the contributor.
4. Upon full collection of the contribution, the sum of money, name and native place of all the contributors shall be recorded in a contribution book, a copy of which is to be sent to the Honorable Huang Zun Xian for record.
5. If any miser fails to make this contribution, he would have to pay $10 to the Association before being permitted to return to China.
The Constitution of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Victoria shall be posted for review
Many Thanks and Best Regards
Sincerely yours,
Merchants in Victoria
The following is a list of names of the elected Directors, Vice Directors, Councilors:
Directors: Li You Qin, Guang An Long Store, Huang Yan Hao, Tai Xi Store
Vice Directors: Li Tian Pei, Lian Chan Store, Li Yi De, Tai Yuan Store, Lu Zhuo Fan, Guang Li Store, Ma Xiu, Tai Chang Store, Xu Quan Li, Yong Xiang Store, Feng Jing Gao, Zhao Chang Store.
Councilors: Wei Ji， Ceng Ji Xi, Li Hong Yuan, Huang De Chen，Chen Mao Chun， Ma Zu Xiang, Lu Jin, Wu Dian Hua，Situ Seng, Yang Bing, Zeng Ding Tang, Liu Chang。
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