Ang's defence

Image Courtesy of: State Library of NSW

Report / Petition

Âng Heng 洪興 (the petitioner) states that a few days ago Âng Tchin 紅珍 had spoken badly of him.

Today, Âng Heng says that Khó͘ Hoe 許花 has harmed him; his work has not been recognized.

On the eleventh day of the ninth month, I was also sent to herd sheep in the mountains.

Today Âng Heng is unwilling [to accept these matters]; this is truly what is in his heart.

Âng Tchin insists that Âng Heng must die; Âng Heng cannot but resent this.

Now I, Âng Heng, have come here. I do not know what words to say. I entirely rely on the benefactor to look upon me with compassion.

Reading and writing, I have little learning; I only try to explain myself here.

Now, at the beginning of this month, the boss came to pay wages to Âng Heng.

But Âng Heng was scolded and cursed; all the blame fell on him alone.

Therefore, I accuse that Âng Tchin and Khó͘ Hoe caused me to lose the sheep.

Because of this I was unwilling to fight back; yet Khó͘ Hoe forced me, and in the struggle a heavy stone struck me. I mistakenly killed [someone] and now I alone am in trouble.

This has ruined my work; I cannot make a living.

Âng Heng is unwilling to endure this. I do not want to spend three months traveling by water to come here to work, only to find disaster instead of wages.

People come here for work, hoping to earn money and make a living.

But others harmed me; today I, Âng Heng, cannot accept this.

I would rather starve to death than endure what Âng Tchin and Khó͘ Hoe have done to me.

Therefore I accuse Âng Tchin: he has destroyed my work.

Âng Heng cannot accept this.

Âng Tchin is no human being.