Transcription Page

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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. 

BC Archives G-0419

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Copy Summary Convictions (I 2) See ss 42, 50.

Conviction for a penalty, and in default of payment, Imprisonment.

CANADA, PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA District or County of New Westminster BE IT remembered, That on the Seventeenth day of March, in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, at Yale, in the said District or County, Westminster, is convicted before the undersigned, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said District or County, for that he the said Chee Fou did unlawfully trespass by mining and residing on the fore-shore of the Spuzzum Indian Reserve on Wednesday March 16th 1898

and I adjudge the said Chee Fou for his offence to forfeit and pay the sum of Five dollars to be paid and applied according to law, and also pay to the said the sum of for his costs in this behalf; and if the said several sums be not paid forthwith, or on or before the Seventeenth of March next, I adjudge the said Chee Fou to be imprisoned in the Common Gaol of the said District or County, at Yale in the said District or County of Westminster (there to be kept ay hard labour if such be the sentence) for the space of twenty days unless the said sums and the costs and charges of conveying the said Chee Fou to the said Common Gaol shall be sooner paid.

Given under my Hand and Seal , the day and year first above mentioned, at in the District or County aforesaid.

(Sgd) A. Irwin Indian agent

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