Reminiscences of Western Travels 西海紀遊草 (Xi hai ji you cao): An Early Chinese Traveler to America & Relevant American Press Reports, 1847-1850

A Chinese Junketing

A CHINESE JUNKETING.--A rather grave disagreemen and some disturbance took place yesterday, on board the Chinese junk, between Capt. Kellett and his mate and a portion of the Chinese crew, some of whom, the captain alleges, have been made discontented by parties who wish to seduce them from his service. The pecuniary offers held out to them have unsettled them, but they are too cunning and suspicious to release the captain from his responsibility in reference to them, and the consequence has been a disposition to mutiny and riot. They had smoked opium so freely, during their meditations upon the matter, that the riotous spirit yesterday obtained the ascendancy, and its first indication was a demand for the wages, which the captain tendered to the discontented, and offered them a bonus of twenty dollars if they would return their original agreements or give him a release in full from all claims. This they refused to do; and under the excitement of the opium made a severe attack upon the captain and mate. They were, however, eventually subdued, and some of the ring-leaders, it is said, were taken to the police office. We saw two of them evince a similar spirit some time ago.

While we are writing this, some half dozen of them have passed our office, on their way from the station house, probably, for examination on the charge. The poor fellows seem disconsolate enough, and one of them we saw wiping tears from his eyes. Their names are Assoy, Ayong, Lonee, Attee, Attoo, Tinding and Corotin; and they were this morning committed for violently assaulting Edward Rinett, second captain to the junk.

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