Heading: (Cuba - Chinese)
Author:
Title: File of manuscript legal depositions from an investigation into shipboard deaths of Chinese laborers bound for Cuba
Place Published: Puentes Grandes, Havana, Cuba
Publisher:
Date Published: c.1866
Description: [24] pp. Handwritten in ink. 31.2x22 cm (12¼x8¾"), stitched together, stabholes in gutter margins.Intriguing and revealing series of depositions, the result of an investigation into deaths among Chinese coolies who were passengers bound from China to Cuba, where they were destined to labor under slave-like conditions in the sugar fields. The 236 asiaticos had just arrived on the island "acabaron de llegar", on board the Norweigan ship "Otelia". It is noted the fatality rate was 6%. they are being questioned about the treatment they received during the voyage. There are legal depositions after an introduction. .The manuscript is filled with legal depositions from many passengers about the voyage. The Captain of the "partido" where the Chinese now are on the island of Cuba, the translator and others are witness to the declarations. The document appears to have been part of a coverup, an attempt to whitewash the whole matter. It seems the passengers are being forced to say the conditions were good. "There was enough water and food for the entire voyage..", says one declaration, everything was "as promised" ("conformidad con su promesa"), there was "a doctor and medicine" present, as regards those that died. It must "not have been convenient for them to travel"... Another passenger says "the deaths were natural deaths..." Each testimony is signed in Chinese by the coolie, and by witnesses, including the captain of the ship and a translator. On the final page, which appears to be a narrative summary, is a rubberstamp, "Capitania Del Pertido de Puentes Grandes" beneath the signature of Miguel Dacal (or Duval?), who has signed each of the depositions along with the witnesses and subjects.

Some browning and offset, bleed-through of the ink, overall very good.