Mr. Tsui Kwo Yin to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, D. C., April 13, 1893. (Received April 14.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a note from the Chinese consul-general at San Francisco, in which he advises [Page 248] me that the Chinese residents on the Pacific coast and throughout the United States apprehend that when the act of May 5, 1892, shall go into effect as a law personal injuries maybe inflicted on them and that their property maybe destroyed by evil-disposed persons, and also that outrages similar to those committed at Rock Springs, Wyo., and at Tacoma, Seattle, and Olympia, Wash., in former years, may again occur, unless some steps shall be taken by the authorities of the United States to prevent the same, and also to protect the Chinese and their property from such violence and injury.
It is scarcely necessary for me to remind you that when the outrages above referred to occurred the Chinese were supposed to be enjoying the protection of the United States Government, to which they were entitled, and yet the attacks on them were so violent as to result in loss of life, great destruction of property, and their forcible expulsion from some of the towns named.
The enforcement of this new law in May next will result in the arrest, imprisonment, and deportation of the Chinese, and consequently great excitement is anticipated by such Chinese residents, who fear that evil-disposed persons may again make the occasion a pretext for resorting to extraordinary methods for the purpose of committing outrages upon them and destroying their property. The thought of these anticipated troubles greatly alarms the Chinese people, and also causes me such serious anxiety of mind that I feel it is my duty to request that you may give the subject your most sincere consideration.
You will observe that I referred to the subject of the suspension of the arrest and punishment of Chinese laborers until the Supreme Court could determine the constitutionality of the law, in my note of the 13th of March last. I most respectfully suggest that said portion of my note remains unanswered. You will therefore pardon me for again referring to this subject, but you will readily understand and appreciate its inestimable importance to my people who are now in the United States.
Relying, therefore, upon your recognized and profound sense of fairness and justice, I feel assured that the protection guarantied by the treaty stipulations between our nations will be extended over the lives and property of the Chinese subjects who are now residing in the United States.
I again renew, etc.,