Mr. Wharton to Mr. Tsui.
Washington, September 16, 1890.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 14th instant, in which you inform me that it is reported by the imperial consul-general of San Francisco that the Chinese residents of Aberdeen, in the State of Washington, have been notified by the citizens of that town to quit the place at once, and, in view of the apprehension felt by your countrymen that their lives are in danger, you ask that such measures be taken by telegraph as will suffice to protect Chinese subjects in that locality and avoid injury to life and property.
I have also had the honor to see a telegram received by you this morning and brought to this Department by one of your attaches, which reads as follows:
San Francisco, Cal., 15th.
His Excellency Tsui,
Chinese Legation:
Following telegram just received: “The Aberdeen citizens say our Chinese must go on September 23. Telegraph the Government to have them protected at once. Signed Woo Lee and Chinese at Hoquian, Wash.” (No signature.)
In view of these representations, I have hastened to send a telegram to His Excellency the governor of Washington, stating the facts as brought to the notice of this Department and counseling action to the end of preventing any disturbance of order or violation of rights of Chinese subjects established at Aberdeen.
Returning herewith the telegram left at this Department to day,
I beg you, etc.,
Acting Secretary.