C1860s Incredible Archive of Depositions by Chinese Coolie Labourers Discussing Their Treatment on the Coolie Ships
by Chinese Coolies and Cuban Officials
- Used
- Signed
- Condition
- Good with no dust jacket
- Seller
-
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Havana, Cuba: Chinese Coolie Trade Ships Havana Cuba. Good with no dust jacket. Non-Book. On offer is an archive of six depositions by Chinese coolie labourers, taken after their disembarkment from a coolie ship that transported them from Macau to Havana, Cuba to serve out their eight year service contract. The Chinese coolie trade, a system of indentured labor that targeted young, poor Chinese men, operated from 1847-1874. The coolie trade took place, in large part, between the shipping port in Macao (now a part of China, then under Portuguese rule) and Havana, Cuba (then under Spanish control). Coolies were transported from China on ships, many of which had formerly been used as African slave ships (Yun & Laremont, 2001). The coolie ships often had slave names (eg Africano, Mauritius) or ironic names (Dreams, Hope, Live Yankees, Wandering Jew) (Yun & Laremont, 2001, p. 110). Many did not survive the journey, with approximately 16,400 Chinese coolies [dying] on European and American coolie ships to Cuba during a 26-year period (Yun & Laremont, 2001, p. 111-112). This accounted for a mortality rate of 12-30%, though, on some voyages, the death rate reached 50% (as in the case of the Portuguese ship Cors in its 1857 sailing). These deaths were caused by violence, rebellions, thirst, suffocation and sickness (Yun & Laremont, 2001). To learn more about the Chinese coolie trade and its importance in world history, click here to read our in-depth research blog on the topic. Given what we know about the deplorable conditions of coolie trade ship transport, it is believed that these depositions were highly coerced and manipulated to show the ship in a positive light. Each of the depositions provides almost identical reports from the coolies, and it is documented that the coolies came to Cuba voluntarily and without any violence, that the ship was capable, clean and ventilated [with] abundant water, healthy food, doctors and medicines. The coolies also state that the mortality
suffered during navigation
consisted solely of the natural and common disease that they
suffered
not due to mistreatment. These testimonies are in sharp contrast to later testimonies by Chinese coolies about the deplorable conditions of their recruitment, travel and later servitude. All of the depositions are signed by four Spanish men: Miguel Dacal, Marcelino Eurabray, Bernardo Solis and Luis Aldecoa. Most are signed in Chinese by the coolie being interviewed. These depositions are from the following Chinese coolies: Lan Lan Kian, 28 year old native of Haning; Lou Fung, a 24 year old native of Henu Lseng; Pong-mim-iong, a 27 year old native of ?; Hao Han Hong, a 30-year-old native of Ho-Guin; Homing Lan, a 20-year-old native of Yisim Chai; and Han ai Sang, a 23-year-old native of Ham-hoy. These depositions provide a fascinating perspective on the relationship between Chinese indentured labourers and those who controlled their lives and words at their final destinations after their grueling voyages from Macau. The depositions measure approx 8.5x12.5 inches. They are on three separate leaves with a coolie testimony on the recto and verso of each, for a total of six full pages of manuscript content. Evidence on the left edge that the leaves were removed from a larger document with age toning, some ink bleed-through, and some minor tears that do not impact readability. Legible. Spanish language. Overall G. ; Manuscripts; 4to 11" - 13" tall; Signed by Author .
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Details
- Bookseller
- Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc. (CA)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 0012072G
- Title
- C1860s Incredible Archive of Depositions by Chinese Coolie Labourers Discussing Their Treatment on the Coolie Ships
- Author
- Chinese Coolies and Cuban Officials
- Format/Binding
- Non-Book
- Book Condition
- Used - Good with no dust jacket
- Publisher
- Chinese Coolie Trade Ships Havana Cuba
- Place of Publication
- Havana, Cuba
- Keywords
- Chinese Coolie Trade, HAVANA, Legal Depositions, Coersion
- Bookseller catalogs
- 19th Century Manuscript; 19th Century Ephemera;
Terms of Sale
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
All items are guaranteed as stated for life or returnable for refund. If a refund is requested, seller must be notified within 7 days of postal delivery of the item based on postal tracking data. To receive a refund, the item must be returned to seller in the same condition in which it was received. All digital items are final sale.
About the Seller
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
Biblio member since 2009
Cochrane, Alberta
About Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc. (formerly M. Benjamin Katz Fine Books/Rare Manuscripts) is based out of both Ontario and Alberta, Canada. We do business by appointment, and have had an online presence selling fine books and rare manuscripts since 1999. Specializing in handwritten, historically significant books, manuscripts, diaries, documents and ephemera. A member of The Manuscript Societyeach treasure on offer is guaranteed authentic and as represented for life. Worldwide clientele includes esteemed collections and public, private and university libraries on both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific. Always buying collections and estates.
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.has been an online sales and auction presence with over 7000 transactions since 1999.
Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.has been an online sales and auction presence with over 7000 transactions since 1999.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- G
- Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted. (as defined by AB...
- Recto
- The page on the right side of a book, with the term Verso used to describe the page on the left side.
- Poor
- A book with significant wear and faults. A poor condition book is still a reading copy with the full text still readable. Any...
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...