Statement of the Accused. Canada City of Victoria Province of British Columbia Ah Maw stands charged before the undersigned , one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the province aforesaid this twenty third day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty for that the said Ah Maw on the 23 rd day of February 1880 did unlawfully and feloniously escape from the chain gang whilst at the school reserve in the said city . And the said charge being read to the said Ah Maw and the witnesses for the prosecution presence the said Ah Maw is now addressed by me as follows: Having heard the evidence do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge? You are not obliged to say anything unless you desire to do so . but whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in evidence against you at your trial. Where upon the said Ah Maw saith as follows: I was sick in my [?] and the cook told me to go out and told me to go to the chinese doctor and get some medicine and the cook said if the medicine cured I was to come back and that if I did not come back the cook would fetch me back. Through interpreter Ah Sin