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Mr. Caldwell used him as an informer. Every person connected with the Police Department, and the Chinese community generally, knew of the position in which Mah Chow Wong stood to Mr. Caldwell. Up to the date of my letter of the 20th July [1857], I believed, as I therein expressed, that Mr. Caldwell was the dupe of Mah Chow Wong. I judged this partly from believing, that Mr. Caldwell was under family influence.[1] … When I found out, from the examination of Mah Chow Wong's books and papers, the extent and variety of the villanies of Mah Chow Wong, I was, very much against my will, and led by common sense, necessitated to alter my opinion about his being a dupe."
Mah Chow Wong, that is to say, "Horse-boy Wong,"—for his true name is Wong Akee,—was first known to the British community as a stable servant;—next, as a small shop-keeper;—and, at length, as a rich merchant and ship-owner at Hong Kong.
It is a saying of the Chinese Mandarins, that "so long as a thief does not leave the empire, he can be traced and caught:—but let him once get to Hong Kong, and you lose him for ever." He settles down under the rule of a Bowring, a Caine, or a Bridges, and, enjoying the protection of the Caldwell of the day, pursues his avocations in peace and confidence.
That was the true source of Mah Chow Wong's prosperity. The notoriety of his character was no hindrance to him. He enjoyed the protection and alliance of Mr. Caldwell.
He commanded a secret
- ↑ The family connection with Chinese people is here alluded to.
