1870/5 Ah Qui, abduction (wife theft and sale)*
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, the BC Archives has digitized a selection of documents related to criminal prosecutions against the Chinese community from 1866 to 1914, found in GR-0419. These are mainly records created as part of the preliminary hearing held before a judge in order to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. There are often lengthy witness statements, and cross examinations by both prosecution and defense lawyers. The eventual verdict is sometimes recorded on the outside of the docket. They offer a fascinating glimpse into 19th and early 20th century criminal activity around the province, and ways in which the Chinese community was stereotyped. The records offered for transcription here are a small selection; for additional digitized material from GR-0419 click here.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. In addition, GR-0419 records deal with subjects such as assault, murder and abuse, which may upset some readers. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.
*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person.
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In the Supreme Court of British Columbia
British Columbia Victoria To Wit
The Jurors for our Lady the Queen upon their oath present that Ah Qui heretofore to wit on the 1 day of March [illegible] 1870 at Hong Kong in China did take away by force one Ah You the wife of one Yung Hing and brought her to Victoria aforesaid and that afterwards to wit on the 30 day of June at Victoria aforesaid the said Ah Qui did detain the said Ah You by force from her said husband and subsequently removed the said Ah You to Nanaimo in this Colony aforesaid and transferred her to one Lee Bing for a large sum of money to wit the sum of $360 against the form of the Statute in such care &c &c
And the Jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do further present that the said Ah Qui afterwards to wit on the day and year aforesaid at Hong Kong in China aforesaid did take away by force the said Ah You and brought her to Victoria aforesaid and that afterwards to wit on the 30 day of June aforesaid at Victoria aforesaid the said Ah Qui did detain the said Ah You by force and subsequently removed the said Ah You to Nanaimo in the Colony
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 9 File 1870/5 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.