1898/14 re Chinese miners on Fraser River – encroaching on an Indian reserve
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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 red ink diagonally across the top): Reported on this to Mr. Tunstall
March 9, 1898
William Dodd, Esq Mining Records Yale
Dear Sir I received today a commemoration from the Minister of Mines, enclosing a letter from AM McNeill, Asst Secretary of the Indian Dept stating a certain [B—?] belonging to the Indian Reservation had been leased by the BC Government to a chinaman, and wishing to know in what grounds it had been disposed of. The minister of mines is desirous of being made acquainted with all of the particulars wherein. In my letter, I mentioned it was described as being adjoining the Indian reservation at Spuzzum and was also estimated outside of the enclosure surrounding the Indian property and therefore capable of being dealt with under section 112 of the Placer Mining Act, is [a-?-t] ground. Your obdt servant G-C Tunstall [?]