Go to March 1, 1855 article in the Oriental

Go to year 1855 of Frederick Bee History Project

The Oriental:
OR, TUNG-NGAI SAN-LUK. :
Rev. William Speer, Editor. :
PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE:
PUBLICATION OFFICE, 151 CLAY STREET. :
WHITTON, TOWNE & CO, Publishers:
Vol. 1 No. 4 :
SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1855:
THE CHINESE COMPANIES
THEIR MEMBERS, NUMBERS, AND PROPERTY. As the reader has walked, upon some balmy morning along the southern side of Telegraph Hill, his attention has been attracted by a large frame structure, evidently of Chinese architecture, yet different in its appearance from the Chinese houses. The front is painted light blue, and projects an airy portico. A pair of lions, carved in wood, guard the white doorway, above and on either side of which are gilded tablets, with an inscription upon each of several large Chinese characters. It has often been referred to as "a temple". But its sujects is not religious. The building is an "Ui-Kun" or company's house. The tablet over the door tells, if English sounds be employed for the Chinese characters, the name of the company,
"YEUNG-WO UI-KUN"
The two perpendicular inscriptions on either side are poetical lines. They read,
TSEUNG KWONG HAM MAN LI
SUI HI P'O T'UNG TAN.
"May the prosperous light fill a thousand leagues;
May the auspicious air pervade mankind."
The two smaller lines on either board inform us that they were "Set up on a fortunate day of the 8th month, 2nd year of the Emperor Hienfung" – "Carved by Fan I."
Upon entering the house by the side door an uncovered area is seen, in accordance with the Chinese custom, in the middle; from which rooms open toward the front and rear, and stairs ascend on either side to the second story. The smaller apartments below are occupied by the agents and servants of the company. The largest room or hall is pasted over with sheets of red paper covered with writing. These contain a record of the names and residence of every member of the company, and the amount of his subscription to the general fund. The upper story, and the attic, with the out-building on the upper side are, it may be, filled with lodgers; nearly all whom are staying but temporarily, on a visit from the mines, or on their way to or from China. A few sick persons lie on their pallets around, and a group here and there discuss a bowl of rice, or smoke and chat together. In the rear is the kitchen.
Such is the Yeung-wo company's house. It is a fair specimen of similar edifices. Let us enquire what is their design?
For the information of the American community a series of questions was drawn up, and a copy forwarded to each of the five companies. The answer of the Sze-Yap company is translated in full. The replies of the others are given for the sake of brevity only upon points where they differed. They are compiled from the records of the several companies by their agents, and I have reason to think are to be relied upon. The most trustworthy Chinese in the city vouch for their correctness. The numbers are not given to units by any company except the Ning-yeung, as the additional labor to the clerks would have been considerable. They are near enough for our object.
SZE-YAP COMPANY
"Our house is built throughout of brick. It is surrounded also by a brick wall. It is situated in San Francisco, Pine Street, No --. We have also a frame house in Sacramento. The company was originally composed of people from the four districts of Sanning, San-ui, Hoi-ping, Yan-ping; hence our name, Sze-Yap, [which means "Four districts"]. Afterwards, men from the two districts of Hok-shan and Sze-ui also entered. We did not, however, change our name on this account.
In China it is common to have councils, and in foreign countries Ui-kuns (or assembly halls). Their object is to improve the practices of their members, and to instruct them in principles of benevolence. They are somewhat like American churches! The buildings furnish beds, fuel, and water to guests who remain for but a short period; also a lodging place and medicines for the infirm, aged or sick. Means are bestowed upon such to enable them to return to China.
There are three agents employed by the company; also a servant who sweeps the house.
The number of our members that have arrived in this port, according to the record made at their landing from the first until December 31, 1854 has been 16,500. Of those have returned, perhaps 3,700. In April of last year above 3,400 separated, and formed the Ning-yeung Company. More than 303 have died. There are at present in California altogether about 9,200. We do not know the number who have left this for other countries.
Except the buildings used by the company we have no other property. This has been purchased by the members who have subscribed of their free will, some twenty, some fifteen, some ten dollars. A portion has been paid in; some will be paid when they are ready to return home. This is a perfectly voluntary matter; there has been no coercion used. Nor is any money required from the disabled, the sick, the aged, or from those making a second voyage to this country.
The objects to which the subscriptions to the company have been devoted are as follows: 1. The purchase of ground and erection of the buildings used by us; 2. The salaries of agents and servants; 3. For fuel, water, candles and oil; 4. To assist the sick to return; 5. For the bestowment of medicines; . For coffins and funeral expenses for the poor; 7. For the repairs of tombs; 8. Expenses of lawsuits; 9. Taxes upon our frame house at Sacramento; 10. Drayage and other outlays, for passengers landing or departing by ships. The unpaid subscriptions amount to $35,000; the names of others who have not yet stated the amount they intend giving will be good for perhaps $6,700 more.
The agents of the company are elected. At the election all the districts must have a voice. If no members from any one are present, they must be heard from. The agents must be men of tried honesty; and are required to furnish security before they enter upon their office. Their election is for the term of six months; of the expiration of which they must give notice, and call a new election. But if they be found faithful to their duties they are eligible to reelection.
Our company has never employed men to work in the mines for their own profit nor have they ever purchased any slaves or used them here.
The present agents of the company are Chu Wingtin, Yu Fuseung and Cheung Akong.
YEUNG-WO COMPANY – The three districts of Heung-shan, Tung-kun, and Tsang-shing, are embraced in this company. The house built here is for their accommodation in coming and going.
The total number of men from these districts since the commencement of the emigration is about 16,900; there have died about 400, and returned 2,500. The number of those now in the country is in the neighborhood of 14,000.
Three agents are employed by the company. Tong A. Achick, Chu Yat, and Li Tszkun. There is a branch at Sacramento and the Heung-shan people have a house in Stockton; but there is no regular agent employed in either city. The houses are mere lodging places. The entire property of the company may be valued at above $20,000. There is perhaps $100,000 of subscriptions, which they have not received."
CANTON COMPANY - We have a frame house in San Francisco, on Clay Street; and two frame houses, one in Sacramento, and one in Stockton. Its Chinese name "Sam Yap" [that is; "three districts"] is obtained from its originally including people from the districts of Nam-hoi, Pun-yu, and Shun-tak, in Canton province. Men from two others, Sam-shui and Tsing-yuen, have joined, however, since our organization.
Two agents are employed at present, Tam Yik-pui, and Chan Pat-cheung; also a porter to take charge of the house.
The entire number of Chinese, who have come to San Francisco in connection with this company, according to the record of the ship-agent is over 8,400. Returned to China above 1,300. Dead, so far as record as been made of burials, some 300. Remaining in California, about 6,800. Some have gone to other countries and been otherwise lost sight of.
The term for which agents held office is one year, at the close of which the agent gives notice, and a new election is called. If he has been found to be a trustworthy man, his security is renewed, and a new election is not entered into.
The amount of entrance fees and subscriptions not paid is about $22,000. That expected from individuals who have not yet put down their name is perhaps $4,700.
NING-YEUNG COMPANY – This company's house is situated in San Francisco, No. 47 Broadway, near Kearny street. Its front is, however, toward the South. The house is of wood; it has an enclosed yard; and a brick kitchen attached. The company consists of the people of San-ning, who separated from the Sze-yap company.
It has two agents, Li Leung-nam, an Mui Tsin-sim and a person who is cook and porter. They are elected for the term of six months.
When the company separated from the Sze-yap, it contained about 3,450 men, this was in April, 1853. Since then till Dec. 31, 1854, there have arrived 4,899. Returned to China, 1,269. There have died 173. There are now connected with us 6,907 persons. There may be individuals dead, or departed to other regions, of whom we have no record.
Of money subscribed, but not paid in, there is due over $20,000. Of what will be paid by others there is about $4,000.
YAN-WO COMPANY – The only house we own is in Happy Valley, San Francisco. The entire value of our property $6,000. Not paid in, $15,000. Our entrance fee is $16.
There have come to California, in connection with this company, 2,100 persons. About 160 have gone back and about the same number have died in various parts of the State. The number new in connection with us is 1,780. They are from the two districts of San-on and Kwai-shin. A few are from Ka-ying Chan.
"Our agents are elected for the term of one year. There are at present two: Kong Kwok-yeung and Fan Ut."
In our next number we propose to make further explanations respecting the general design and operations of the companies; and shall furnish a translation of some of their rules. We close for the present with presenting in a tabular form from their computations of the total number of Chinese that have arrived in California; that have returned hence to their native land; that have died here; and finally, their estimate of the numbers at present in the State. We can from this table ascertain more nearly than by any other method the Chinese population of California. There are probably not a thousand men who have not connected themselves with one or the other of these five companies.

**3,150 of the Sze-Yap separated, which are to be subtracted from their present and added to that column of the Ning-Yeung Co.
TABLE

Names	Arrivals	Departures	Deceased	Present
Yeung-wo Co.	16,900	2,500	400	14,000
Canton Co.	8,400	1,300	300	6,800
Yan-Wo Co.	2,100	160	160	1,780
**Sze-Yap Co.	16,650	3,700	300	9,200
Ning-Yeung Co.	4,839	1,269	173	6,907
Total	48,889	8,929	1,333	38,687