Territorial Timeline

Proclamation by the President relating to the "Anti-Chinese Riots"

A series of riots by people trying to drive out the Chinese communities results in by Governor Watson C. Squire appealing by him to President Cleveland for aid. The President's proclamation authorizes ". . . the employment of military force to suppress domestic violence and enforce the faithful execution of the laws of the United States, if the command and warning of this Proclamation be disobeyed and disregarded."

In September, 1885 mobs raided several communities of Chinese immigrants in Seattle, Aberdeen and Tacoma. Many of the Chinese had been working to build the transcontinental railroads and had recently been laid off. Because the Chinese were often willing to work for lower wages than the white residents, their presence was feared and resented by some people. The Chinese were driven out of Tacoma and threats of mob violence in Seattle caused Governor Watson C. Squire and President Grover Cleveland to issue proclamations threatening military action if the violence did not cease. Even so, by February, 1886 most of the Chinese residents had been driven out of Seattle.