COLORED MEN IN THE MINES—The Amador Sentinel, speaking of the vicinity of Lancha Plana, says:Â
There is a gulch near the town, containing about one hundred Chinese, occupied in mining and trading among themselves. A large number of negroes are in this camp, who seem to be quite peaceable and industrious.Â
Again, speaking of Poverty Bar, the editor says:Â
The colored inhabitants in the vicinity have established a lyceum, and are shedding the light of knowledge over the darkened understandings of their white and ‘silvery-tongued’ neighbors.â€
. . . I arrived at the Placer Seco [about March, 1849] and began to work at a regular digging. In this place there was already a numerous population of Chileans, Peruvians, Californians, Mexicans, and many Americans, Germans, etc. The camps were almost separated according to nationalities. All, some more, some less, were profiting from the fruit of their work. Presently news was circulated that it had been resolved to evict all of those who were not American citizens from the placers because it was believed that the foreigners did not have the right to exploit the placers. . . .
There was a considerable number of people of various nationalities who understood the order to leave—they decided to gather on a hill in order to be on the defensive in case of any attack. On the day in which the departure of the foreigners should take place, and for three or four more days, both forces remained prepared, but the thing did not go beyond cries, shots, and drunken men. Finally all fell calm and we returned to continue our work. Daily, though, the weakest were dislodged from their diggings by the strongest. . . .
The reason for most of the antipathy against the Spanish race was that the greater portion was composed of Sonorans who were men accustomed to prospecting and who consequently achieved quicker, richer results—such as the Californios had already attained by having arrived first and [learned how to find gold]. Those who came later [mainly Anglo Americans], were possessed by the terrible fever to obtain gold, but they did not get it because their diggings yielded but little or nothing . . . Well, these men aspired to become rich in a minute and they could not resign themselves to view with patience the better fortune of others. Add to this fever that which the excessive use of liquor gives them. Add that generally among so many people of all nationalities there are a great number of lost people, capable of all conceivable crimes. The circumstance that there were no laws nor authorities who could protect the rights and lives of men gave to these men advantages over peaceful and honorable men. Properly speaking, there was no more law in those times than that of force, and finally, the good person, in his own defense, had to establish the law of retaliation.
People will learn after while that every man that comes to Cal does not make a fortune. This country is fast getting filled up with Chinamen. They are coming by thousands all the time. The miners in a great many places will not let them work. The miners here drove off about 200 Chinamen about two weeks ago but they have come back about as thick as ever. (I would not help drive them off as I thought they had no right to drive them.)
Transcription of Labor Contract
[Words rendered in italics here were handwritten in the original]
Articles of Agreement made, entered into and concluded this 28th day of July, in the Year of Our Lord, One thousand Eight hundred and forty nine Between Jacob P. Leese Esq. of Monterey of the one part and Affon (Chinaman) of the other part, Witness that for the consideration hereinafter contained on the part of the said Jacob P Leese Esq. he the said Affon doth herby covenant, promise and agree with, and to the said Jacob P. Leese Esq. that he the said Affon will proceed in and on board of a certain Brig or Vessel called the Eveline whereof Cooper is Master now lying in the Harbour of Hongkong, and about to proceed on a voyage to San Francisco a Port or Ports , on the West Coast of America, and that he will any where in that Country, for the space or period of (3) three Years from the date of his arrival at the Port of destination, work as a Cook or otherwise to the best of his knowledge and ability, under the orders and directions, of the said Jacob P. Leese Esq. or by another person holding this Contract. And that he the said Affon will keep and provide himself with all the necessary, and proper tools of his trade, and will also find and provide his own clothing. And that he will not do or assist to do or direct or aid in any manner whatsoever any work or business, other than, that ordered or directed by the said Jacob P. Leese Esq. or any other persons to whom this contract may be transferred. And these presents further witness that in consideration of the covenants herein before contained on the part of the said Affon he the said Jacob P. Leese Esq. doth hereby for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators covenant promise, and agree with, and to the said Affon that he and his Survivors or Substitutes shall and will afford to him a passage in the above mentioned Vessel, to the West Coast of America, and shall, and will as soon as he shall have entered upon such work or trade of a cook as aforesaid furnish and provide him with lodgings, and suitable provisions, and food for, and during the said space or period of (3) three Years, and that the said Affon is to be paid for his work at the rate of ($15) fifteen Dollars per month payable monthly in the due, and proper fulfillment, and completion of their said agreement, and covenants herein before contained, the said wages to be computed for the period of (3) three Years from the date the said Affon shall arrive at the Port of destination. And it is hereby agreed by and between the said parties hereto that the said Affon shall not receive any wages until, and after the Sum of ($30) thirty Dollars advanced to the said Affon shall have been paid off, and satisfied, and the said Affon doth herby acknowledge the receipt of the said advance so made to him by the said Jacob P. Leese Esq or his substitute not requiring the services of the said Affon at any time during the said period of (3) three Years he the said Jacob P. Leese Esq or his substitute shall be at liberty to cancell this Contract on giving to said Affon One Month’s notice, and from and after the expiration of such one Month’s notice, this contract shall be null and void.
In Witness whereof the said parties to the presents have hereunto set their Hands and affixed their Seals at Victoria, Hongkong aforesaid the Day and Year first before written.
Signed Sealed and delivered after being first duly explained in the presence of
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HANDWRITTEN ADDENDUM ALONG SIDE OF CONTRACT:
It is understood that in case the said Affon wishes to return to China upon the cancelling of this contract that all due and proper assistance shall be afforded him by the holder of the same. It is [further] understood that a bonus of ($15) fifteen dollars shall be allowed to the said Affon upon the cancelling of this contract payable by the holder of the same and in case the said Affon wishes to renew this contract upon the expiration of the first he should be at liberty to do so.