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contract; the agreement to carry his ashes back is an obligation.”
“Are all your passengers placed under the same kind of bond?”
“Not all. We have two classes on our lists: first-such as come over in our debt, and under bond to us; second, such as pay their own fares in Hong Kong and land in San Francisco free.
We have a contract with the first class only; but we have our obligations towards the second class also, since we are bound to carry them back in case of death.”
“Tell us how you begin your labour.
Where do you find the people to come over?”
“ The Five Companies send their agents up and down the provinces, both near the sea. and far in land, to tell poor people, who are pinched for rice and tea, of the great markets which are opening for their labour in California, Oregon, and Nevada.
Of course they talk big. Melican talk big; Chinaman talk bigger than Melican.
These agents say the hills are made of silver, and the rivers run with gold.
They offer help, giving passes to such persons as care to move.
They find all means of transport; ”
1875.
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