ON the camp ground in Fresno county we heard a story which may seem to be "sensational," and, if it is true, it will produce a profound sensation with a large class of people in the United States. It is so strangely horrible that we would not give it to the public, were it not that we think the public is entitled to the knowledge, and that there is a possibility and some probability of its being true. This is it:
A gentleman in Fresno county had a Chinaman in his service to whom he offered a cup of tea. The Chinaman refused to drink it. He insisted, and the other as persistently refused. Knowing the fondness of the Chinese for tea, he asked a reason for the refusal; and the other refused to tell. Becoming vexed at the obstinacy of the "heathen," he threatened; but it was of no avail—he would neither drink the tea nor give his reason for refusing.
His curiosity was thoroughly aroused, having heard strange stories about the preparation of tea for market, and he determined to ascertain the reason of the strange conduct of the Chinaman. His threats became so demonstrative that "Ah Sin" began to fear for his life, and agreed to tell if his questioner would promise not to tell the Chinamen, as they would surely kill him if it became known that he told it. He then made this statement: that it was the custom of the Chinese to send home—to China—the bodies of deceased friends; for safe transit and preservation the bodies were packed in tea; that this tea was dried, and prepared, and returned to the American market; that private marks were put upon the chests, and that Chinamen never drank tea in this country unless they knew how it was marked, or unless it was specially imported for their own use.
We give the following reasons for saying this is possibly true:—
1. It is a well-known fact that the Chinese send the bodies of their friends back to China; when they bury, it is only for a time, as the bones are exhumed and sent to the land of their nativity.
2. According to an analysis given in Chambers' Cyclopædia, tea contains 26 per cent. of tannin, and is therefore a suitable medium in which to convey animal remains.
3. We have not the least reason to doubt the sincerity and veracity of our informants.
4. It is well known that the Chinese are very careful in the use of tea, and that they use, mostly if not entirely, that which is put up and imported for their own especial use. Their best tea, if put on the market, would not sell here because of its great price.
We have now done only our duty in the matter. We cannot say that there is any truth in the statement, but we think there may be. And while it is barely possible that this may be so, it seems unnecessary to urge our readers to abstain from its use until they can at least be assured that they can use it with safety. They who understand the danger of taking into their systems exhalations from a cadaver will be slow to run any risk in this matter. If it be true, no one can tell or even imagine what diseases may have been engendered by the use of tea thus rendered poisonous.
When people refused to yield to arguments and facts concerning the use of the unclean carcass of the swine, science discovered the existence of trichina, and many were induced to refuse to eat the vile flesh because of the manifest danger. If, by placing this statement before our readers, they are induced to abstain from the use of tea, we shall have done them no injury, as its influence on the nervous system is such that its use can be of no possible benefit, but is a real detriment.
We have drank very little tea since the Chinese have dwelt in any considerable numbers in California. And for that little we shall continue to beg pardon of our stomach until this statement of the Chinaman is satisfactorily shown to be untrue.
Since writing the above we have received further information, and find that we have spoken very modestly where others speak confidently. Many Americans are firmly convinced that the tea in which dead bodies are carried to Asia is returned and put upon the American market. The bare idea is so horribly disgusting that we felt slow to give it credence. The finer instincts of the system must be stifled, and the appetite grossly abused, in any one who will run the risk of tasting of this filthiness, after learning of the danger.