Wells Williams to the Foreign Office, August 1, 1873

Mr. Williams to the Foreign Office.

On the 6th ultimo Mr. Low received the note of the foreign office relating to the cruel usage which the Chinese laborers in Cuba are reported to receive from the Spaniards, and inquiring whether, if such was the fact, the Chinese government should patiently permit their subjects still to be carried away there.

Since Mr. Low left Peking I have received a second note, dated the 27th ultimo, in which the foreign office again inquires as to the truth of the reports of the bad treatment of the Chinese laborers now in Cuba, and asks for an early reply to both their notes. I have also seen the note received from the foreign office two days since, in which the ministers propose to meet all the foreign ministers at the Russian legation, and ask General Vlangaly to confer with them, (if the hour of 2 o’clock this afternoon will be convenient,) there to have a personal consultation upon the two points brought forward in connection with Spanish contracts for laborers. Owing to the heat of the season, however, I regret that I shall not be able to be present at the interview.

With regard to the inquiry as to the bad treatment of the Chinese laborers now in Cuba, it seems to me that it is necessary for a man to be on the spot, and personally learn for himself the truth by seeing and hearing what is done, I am only able to say that since the year 1849, when the business began at Canton of contracting for coolies to go to Cuba, up to this day, I have continually heard of the unjust and cruel treatment which they have there received, and that very few of those who fulfilled their term of service had ever come back to their homes. But as I have never visited those places, I cannot myself vouch for the truth of these charges. If the Chinese government wish to learn their real condition, the best way will be to send a special commissioner to Cuba, who shall carefully examine and ascertain for himself the mode of treating the laborers, which it will not be hard to do.

As to the question whether, if the Chinese emigrants are harshly treated in Cuba, the Chinese government will be justified in forbidding further engagement of its subjects to go there as laborers, I consider that it has that right, and can forbid it.

With compliments, &c.,