1895/82 Regina vs. Foung Due, alias Mon Kee – perjury (a market gardener, sending money home)
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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(3)
to have the questions put and answered in Chinese as well; I should like to add that the noted were read sentence by sentence to the defendant; that I told him that I should be pleased to alter anything that was not correct, and he repeated at the end of each sentence "that is right," or words to that effect; I produce the books marked exhibit (C) and (D), referred to in the evidence of Mock Chee at the hearing on the 11th of October; they have been in my custody; at the hearing of the judgement summons on the 11th of October Ah Gan and Mock Chee were also examined before me on oath.
F. Macras.
Thomas R. Smith, J.P.
E. Pearson, J.P.
And MOCK CHEE, on his oath says as follows:- I have known the defendant for ten years; I recognize the book produced marked exhibit "C;" I have examined it; it was brought to the Chinese Benevolent Society in March, April or May last; I am Secretary for that Society; the book contains the partnership accounts of See Sing, Fung Due, Suee Sing, Chin Hong and others; Foung Due kept the first part of this account; Foung Due, the accused, told me; Ah Duck was one of the partners; Foung Due is also known by the name of Mon Kee; Mon Kee and Foung Due are the same person; Foung Due told me so and it is so in the book.
(Sgd) Mock Chee. (in Chinese) Ah Wing, Interpreter.
Thomas R. Smith, J.P.
E. Pearson, J.P.
And AH DUCK, on his oath says as follows:- I know the defendant Fuong Due; I was a partner with him in working a vegetable garden on Cook Street; it belongs to
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 60 File 1895/82 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General Documents.