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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Exhibit "D."
Small Debts Court of Victoria, holden at Victoria. Fun Quock v. Foung Due, judgement summons 176.100.
FOUNG DUE, Judgement debtor, sworn:- I work in garden at Mr. D. R. Harris'; have worked there for more than five years and have always got as wages $25.00 per month and board and lodging; I was married nine years ago in China and stayed there three years; on my return to this country I left my wife and two children in China; I send $15. every month to my mother in China for her support and that of my wife and children; I have done so ever since I went to work at Mr. Harris'; I send the last $15. on Thursday, 19th Sept. ult.; I gave the $15. on that day to Ah Gaw, Cook at Mr. Hamley's to send it to Lai Hop Yune at Hong Kong for my mother; I have been giving him the money regularly every month for a year past to send to Hong Kong; I have never taken a receipt from him; I spend about $20. for clothing and $12. for boots per year; I spend $2. per month in tobacco; I gave $10. this year to celebrate at graveyards; all the rest of my money I spent in food and other things; I have no money now only two bits; I got my wages last - $25. - on Tuesday, 24th September; of this I gave $15. to Ah Gaw last Sunday; I paid $7.50 for clothes to Sam Kee, Government Street, on Saturday last and the rest I spend for pleasure; since I married I have never saved any money, nor had any money in a bank in my own name or any other name; I have never kept money for any person except Fun Que, who gave me about 20 months ago $200.00 to keep for him, which I kept in my room for two weeks and then returned to
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 60 File 1895/82 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General Documents.