The California gold rush brought many Chinese to the United States. They were welcomed initially because of labor shortages, but after the Gold rush and as the Chinese population increased their hard work and willingness to work for less pay, drove racial tension. In 1886 major riots broke out in Seattle, prompting China and the US to enter into negotiations to limit immigration. Negotiations failed, and President Grover Cleveland signed the Scott Act which permanently banned the immigration or return of Chinese laborers to the united States.
With little fanfare, President Grover Cleveland mentioned this in his 1888 annual message to congress. Some times big events go hardly noticed at the time.
"In a message accompanying my approval, on the 1st day of October last, of a bill for the exclusion of Chinese laborers, I laid before Congress full information and all correspondence touching the negotiation of the treaty with China concluded at this capital on the 12th day of March, 1888, and which, having been confirmed by the Senate with certain amendments, was rejected by the Chinese Government. This message contained a recommendation that a sum of money be appropriated as compensation to Chinese subjects who had suffered injuries at the hands of lawless men within our jurisdiction. Such appropriation having been duly made, the fund awaits reception by the Chinese Government.
It is sincerely hoped that by the cessation of the influx of this class of Chinese subjects, in accordance with the expressed wish of both Governments, a cause of unkind feeling has been permanently removed."
The picture depicts one of the heroes of the day, Judge Thomas Burke, who stood along with 150 armed citizens between the angry mob and their would-be Chinese victims.
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