Comly to William H. Seward, March 9, 1878

Mr. Comly to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have received to-day an unofficial letter from Mr. Alfred S. Hartwell, attorney-general of this kingdom, stating that he is requested by Ah Lee, of Chulan & Co., of this city, to assist his partner, Wong Kwai, now in China, in a charge made against him of abducting Chinese, to be used here as slaves or coolies. Mr. Hartwell states that he is informed that letters were written from here by some person hostile to Chulan & Co., to the effect that Chinese immigrants brought here by Chulan & Co. are not allowed their freedom here, which letters led to a publication in a Hong Kong newspaper, No. 3674, of January 18 last, suggesting that the matter be inquired into, which was followed by the arrest of Wong Kawi’s son, Tin Chong, and his brother, Wong Chin Chee, by the govenor of Canton. Also that Mr. T. H. Davies, the acting British consul-general here, has written to the British Government at Hong Kong and the British minister at Peking in behalf of Chulan & Co. in this matter, informing them of the following facts, viz:

That Wing Woo Yneu, Chulan & Co.’s agents at Hong Kong, have consigned to Chulan & Co. here as follows:

1873. Benvoilick; arrived October 4; 20 passengers.

1874. Koik; arrived May 27; left Hong Kong April 2; 109 passengers.

1876. Colombo; arrived June 10; left Hong Kong April 12; 181 passengers.

1876. Willard Mudgett; arrived Septernber 16; left Hong Kong July 5; 336 passengers.

That these passengers paid their passage-money, some here, some in Hong Kong, some $35, some $50, and some have not paid yet; and that all were and are free in this country. Some have entered into written contracts for labor here, but all acting their own volition; suggesting to the British officials an inquiry at the Chinese hospital, of which Li Tuk Chang is manager, called Tung-wa-i-in, as to information concerning the letters which caused this trouble, taking Wong Woo Yneu with them in such inquiry, and requesting the friendly services of the British governor and minister for Wong Kwai and his son and brother; also, that a certificate of the facts above mentioned has been prepared and signed by the principal foreign merchants of this city to be sent to the Canton authorities. I am also informed that a telegram will be sent from the Hawaiian consul at San Francisco to the Hawaiian consul at Hong Kong, to obtain, if possible, a delay of all proceedings until receipt of advices from here.

And I am requested, in behalf of Chulan & Co., to write to you to the same effect as Mr. Davies has written. I write, of course, unofficially to yourself, but as time is pressing, I send you this letter directly, and shall forward a copy through the State Department.

I am confident that anything which you think it proper to do to remove any misapprehension on the part of the Chinese authorities in this matter will be very highly appreciated, not only by Chulan & Co., but by all Americans and other foreigners residing here.

The laws of this kingdom furnish, I think, full protection to the property and person of all, and permit no discrimination or abuse against those of the Chinese or any other nationality.

I have, &c.,