George F. Seward

George F. Seward served as the U.S. minister to China from 1876 to 1880. In the following viewpoint, Seward maintains that the Chinese who immigrate to the United States are freemen, not slaves or indentured servants, as some allege. The Chinese work for whomever they please, and whenever and wherever they please. Seward also argues that Chinese immigrants are not responsible for white unemployment; in California, where the Chinese are most numerous, wages are higher than in other parts of the country, which indicates that there is an inadequate supply of labor to meet demand. He further asserts that Chinese immigration has benefited the United States. Chinese workers have started businesses that were nonexistent before their arrival. Seward also maintains that, given the chance, the Chinese assimilate easily into American culture. He does not believe that the...