1880/20 Ah Jim, non-payment of School Tax*
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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British Columbia To Wit
The jurors for our lady the Queen upon their oath present that Ah Jim otherwise called "Number Six" did on the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty one wilfully obstruct one Noah Shakespeare then being a Revenue Officer to wit a Collector of School tax and then being in the due execution of his duty as such Revenue Officer.
2 And the jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do for then present that afterwards to wit on the day and year aforesaid the said Ah Jim otherwise called "number six" did make an assault in and upon one Noah Shakespeare then being a Revenue Officer to wit a Collector of School tax and then being in the due execution of his duty as such Revenue Officer and did then beat wound and ill treat him the Noah Shakespeare and then did other wrongs to him the said Noah Shakespeare so being in the execution of his duty as aforesaid
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 19 File 1880/20 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL./ Attorney General documents