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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Fun Que; I never since I went to work with Mr. Harris got money from anybody except Mr. Harris and only my wages; I never since I went to Mr. Harris kept an account for any person never kept any book for men working in Mrs. Harris' land at Fairfield; Fun Que was boss there; I don't know whether or nor he had a partner; Ah Duck worked there for three or four months; I don't know whether he was a partner; 6 or 7 months ago the Chinamen were sold out by Mr. Harris for the rent; Mr. Harris told me so, otherwise I should know nothing about it; I I never kept books for anybody but myself; I owe nothing except the 2 judgements in this Court; nobody has claimed money from me this year.
October 11th, 1895.
AH GAW,:- Cook at Mr. Hamley's; I have been in Victoria nearly 30 years and off and on I have worked for Mr. Hamley ten years; Have now been working for him 3 years; I have been in the habit of sending money to China on my own account ever since I came to this country; I have also been sending money to China for other people along with my own money for the past five or six years, by bank draft payable to Li Hop Yune of Hong Kong; I have sent money away for more than twenty different people and on average I send once a month; sometimes I send twice; I have kept in a book an account of all the money I have thus sent; I produce the book, exhibit 'A,' which I use now and have been using for about 5 years; I know the judgement debtor Foung Due; I have sent money to China for him (referring to the book); I got $15. from him two weeks ago; in July $20.; in April $9.90; that is all I got from Foung Due this year; I sent for him last year $149.80 in four payments; that is all I ever sent for him.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 60 File 1895/82 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General Documents.