Chester Holcombe to Prince Kung, June 27, 1878

Mr. Holcombe to Prince Kung.

I have the honor to inform your Imperial Highness that I am in receipt of a letter from the United States minister at the Hawaiian Islands, in which, at the request of the attorney-general of that kingdom, he desires me to call the attention of your Imperial Highness to the arrest by his excellency the viceroy of Canton of two persons named Wang, Chinese subjects, upon the charge of abducting Chinese to be used in those islands as slaves or coolies.

It is stated in this letter that the attorney-general is informed that the firm of which the two persons named Wang are members have sent, in the last five years, about 500 Chinese passengers to the Hawaiian Islands; that these paid their own passage-money, some $35 and some $50 each, and that they all were and are free; that some have entered into written contracts for labor, but all acting of their own volition. He also suggests that inquiries be made at the Chinese hospital Tung Hua Yi Yüan, of which Li Te Chang is manager, for information as to the cause of the trouble and the facts in the case. He also states that the principal foreign merchants of the islands have prepared a paper setting forth the facts as to the treatment of the Chinese, which is to be forwarded to the Canton authorities.

The United States minister adds that the laws of the Kingdom of Hawaii furnish, in his opinion, full protection to the person and property of all, and permit no discrimination or abuse against those of the Chinese or any other nationality.

I beg leave to call the attention of your Imperial Highness to these statements, and to request that such action be taken in the premises as your Imperial Highness may deem best calculated to promote the ends of justice.

I have, &c.,