Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to the United States Immigration Inspector at North Stratford, New Hampshire, September 13, 1923
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to the United States Immigration Inspector at North Stratford, New Hampshire, September 13, 1923
Subject
Letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to the United States Immigration Inspector at North Stratford, New Hampshire, September 13, 1923
Description
Typed letter from Dr. Alfred E. Stearns to the United States Immigration Inspector at North Stratford, New Hampshire sending the inspector the requested legal papers of Chan Hin Cheung and inquiring of the inspector as to why Mr. Chan was detained in the first place.
Transcription
September 13, 1923
United States Immigration Inspector
North Stratford, New Hampshire
Dear sir:
I enclose herewith, as promised, the papers of Mr. Chan Hin Cheung, the young Chinese boy whose journey you recently saw fit to interrupt at North Stratford and whom you brought to Beecher Falls for identification. Will you kindly return the papers to me by registered mail so that there won’t be any danger of losing them.
I am still at a loss to account for the authority by which by this boy’s journey was interrupted. Your attitude in the matter convinces me that you acted in perfectly good faith and for that reason I could not bring myself to utter the vigorous protest I was prompted to send at the time. I am convinced, however, that the action was not justified, and in order to deal fairly with these wards of mine during their further stay in this country, I feel that it is necessary to lay the matter before the headquarters in Washington and find out what is demanded. As a matter of fact the passports of my other wards were taken from them when they first landed in San Francisco and they were told that these passports would be forwarded to Washington. They have not seen them since but have traveled freely about the country for the last three years and without any interference on the part of the authorities. Had young Chan from across the border I can readily see why the passport should have been demanded by you. As his journey started from my camp in New Hampshire and the trip did not involve crossing the border, I am puzzled to know the exact reasons for his detention.
Awaiting the early receipt of the enclosed passport and such further enlightenment as you may be able to give me on the case and its seeming complications, believe me
Very sincerely yours,
United States Immigration Inspector
North Stratford, New Hampshire
Dear sir:
I enclose herewith, as promised, the papers of Mr. Chan Hin Cheung, the young Chinese boy whose journey you recently saw fit to interrupt at North Stratford and whom you brought to Beecher Falls for identification. Will you kindly return the papers to me by registered mail so that there won’t be any danger of losing them.
I am still at a loss to account for the authority by which by this boy’s journey was interrupted. Your attitude in the matter convinces me that you acted in perfectly good faith and for that reason I could not bring myself to utter the vigorous protest I was prompted to send at the time. I am convinced, however, that the action was not justified, and in order to deal fairly with these wards of mine during their further stay in this country, I feel that it is necessary to lay the matter before the headquarters in Washington and find out what is demanded. As a matter of fact the passports of my other wards were taken from them when they first landed in San Francisco and they were told that these passports would be forwarded to Washington. They have not seen them since but have traveled freely about the country for the last three years and without any interference on the part of the authorities. Had young Chan from across the border I can readily see why the passport should have been demanded by you. As his journey started from my camp in New Hampshire and the trip did not involve crossing the border, I am puzzled to know the exact reasons for his detention.
Awaiting the early receipt of the enclosed passport and such further enlightenment as you may be able to give me on the case and its seeming complications, believe me
Very sincerely yours,
Creator
Dr. Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
September 13, 1923
Rights
All Rights Reserved By Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence