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Title
The unfortunate Chinaman
Description

The Argus noted with great dismay the finding of a dead ‘Chinaman' whose body, ignored by passers by, had been left to the ravages of nature at the diggings near Geelong.

Date
28 April 1852
Published Source
Australian National Dictionary Centre, The Gold Rushes and Australian English: a resource for researchers, teachers and students, Australian National University, 2005, http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/res/aus_words/gold/index.php. Details
Rights
This material is provided by the Australian National Dictionary Centre, a joint project of the Australian National University and Oxford University Press Australia.

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Transcript

GEELONG. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT .) Wednesday, 28th April. I have heard to-day that the body of one of the unfortunate Chinamen who lately arrived here in the Amazon, and who, along with several others was started up the country about a fortnight since, has been found on the plains not far from the Wardy Yallock. The poor fellow is supposed to have died from exhaustion, but it shows a most scandalous want of feeling on the part of whoever was in charge of the party to allow the dead body to be devoured by birds of prey or dogs. These unfortunate creatures [i.e. the Chinese], after being enticed to leave their native country, should not be treated here by men who make a boast of their own civilization, as though they were not better than dogs. These poor ignorant people have not by any means the same power of defending themselves from bad treatment that our own country men have, and the man would be a monster who would impose upon them, or neglect to supply their natural wants. I hope, therefore, that the neglected case referred to may be found to have been exaggerated, or if correct, that the man in whose charge the party were, may meet with the disgrace and punishment he deserves. Argus, 30 April 1852