Mr. Cheng Tsao Ju to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, D. C., November 5, 1885.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I received last evening from Mr. Owyang Ming, Chinese consul-general at San Francisco, a telegram as follows:
Several hundred Chinese driven from Tacoma, Washington Territory, yesterday, are now in woods without shelter or food. Merchants given until to-day to pack their foods and leave. No effort made by the governor or authorities to protect them. Prompt action must be taken, or the same outrage will be enacted all over the Territory.
The Chinese laborers mentioned above were residents in the United States on the 17th day of November, 1880, or before the expiration of ninety days after the passage of the act of May 6, 1882, while the merchants are among the classes entitled to come and go to the United States of their own free will and accord.
In circumstances like these, when these people have been so suddenly and unreasonably expelled from their occupations and homes, their lives and property are in imminent danger. I therefore feel compelled to request that immediate and earnest efforts may be taken to secure for them due protection, in order to restore to them the rights and privileges granted by the treaty made between China and the United States.
I do not entertain the least doubt that your excellency will kindly adopt measures to enable them to return in safety to Tacoma, where they may resume their usual occupations.
I beg to state, further, that I have received a second telegram from our consul-general at San Francisco, which reads as follows:
Just received the following telegram from Seattle, Washington Territory:
“Chinese residents of Tacoma forcibly driven out yesterday. From two to three hundred Chinese now in Seattle in imminent danger. Local authorities willing, but not strong enough to protect us. We ask you to secure protection for us.
“WAH CHANG & CO.”
Immediate action necessary.
I would respectfully call your attention to this matter also.
Accept, sir, &c.,