1880/13 Regina vs. Ah Mow – escape
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Indictable Offences
(M) See s. 29.
Depositions of Witnesses
Canada City of Victoria Province of British Columbia
The examination of Frederick Hussey taken on this twenty-third day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty, at Victoria, in the Province aforesaid, before the undersigned, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the said Province in the presence and hearing of Ah Mow who is this day charged before me.
This deponent Frederick Hussey upon his oath deposeth, saith as follows:
I am Convict Guard and Constable; from information which I received last Saturday I secured the assistance of Officers Linsday, O'Connor and Ford, and proceeded to a house at Cormorant Street, in Victoria, about ½ past one o'clock this morning we surrounded the house we made a search all round and he began
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 19 File 1880/13 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.