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- Dec. 5, 1895
Dear Directors of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association in Victoria,
In June this year, a westerner borrowed from me $17 for buying a carriage. I told him I would go to his place in the near future, and he promised that he would return the money when I am there. It was spring when I went to his place. He was busy driving the carriage to sell his farm produce around, and had no time to take care of the livestock and the garden. He asked me to look after them for two months. To my surprise, he did not want to return the money, even demanded me to pay for the food during my stay. I am nearly 60 years old, poor and unable to work. Relying on the strength of the westerners he bullied me with no excuses. Besides we don’t have too many Chinese in the community. Most of the Chinese here come from the 4 cities in the southern part of Guangdong Province, and some are from Hong Kong. We are reasonable people, not only in China, but also in a foreign country. He wanted me to pay for the food. I want him to pay for my work taking care of the livestock and the garden. And he should return my money he borrowed from me. I am writing to you for help to arbitrate in the dispute between me and the westerner, who might otherwise go to the local westerner authority to get a verdict unfair to me.
Yours sincerely
Wu An
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