Ah Quan letter
Date Published
: remittances, letters, villages
: Indian Ocean Coast (WA)
: Cossack
: 1886
Letter from his nephew to Chin Ah Quan
Letter to Ah Quan
Such letters back and forth between those in Australia and family in the village were very common. Unfortunately, the survival of such letters before the 20th century are extremely rare and this one, although undated, must have been sent before Ah Quan's death in 1886. This makes it one of, if not the, earliest surviving example of these letters.
Letters from those in Australia always carried a remittance and lack of money usually meant no letter was sent. Those from the families in the villages usually mentioned village or family conditions with an emphasis on the need for more money.
For a comprehensive and fascinating account of the remittance system see: Dear China: Emigrant Letters and Remittances, 1820–1980 by Gregor Benton and Hong Liu, University of California Press, 2018.
It has been long since I last had the privilege of your guidance and presence, and you have been constantly in my thoughts. I trust this letter finds you, Uncle Jun, in sound health and thriving in all matters—this brings me immense comfort and heartfelt joy.
Your letter arrived safely on April 30th. I have fully taken note of everything within. I sent you a letter in the middle of last month, in which I noted the twenty-five silver dollars, three bolts of sky-blue cloth, and the one silver dollar sent by my aunt. All of these have been received in full, so please set your mind entirely at ease. I am sending this letter again and respectfully ask you to take note.
Great-Uncle Chongzhuo has already reached a very advanced age of nearly 90, utterly worn and frail. Like the setting sun and morning dew, he cannot reasonably be expected to remain with us much longer. As his son, you ought to tend to him with full filial devotion while there is still time. If your means allow, you should make plans to return home as soon as possible. Cherish the remaining days you have with him, lest you carry lifelong regret. I also hope you will send remittances home at your earliest convenience, so that he need not lie awake with worry.
I pen these few lines in reply, and hope you will understand the sincerity behind my words. It is now in early summer, with weather shifting unpredictably between cool and warm. Please take good care of yourself. There is so much more I wish to say, but I will leave it here.
One further request: when you write back, you may entrust your reply to the Ma-la Newspaper Office, to be handed over to Chen Ziming. We beg you most earnestly—when you address your reply from the overseas port, please write the delivery details clearly, with the exact street name specified, to ensure it reaches us without delay.
To Uncle Junxiang With deepest respect,
Your nephew Chen Zichao
Source: Ah Quan - AU WA S2323- cons5795 1885/15 (WA State Archives)
Translators: Jason Lee / 李傑俊 & Sarah Zhang
