Includes:
*Four labor contracts, each 1 pages, printed and filled out in ink. Issued in 4 different municipalities all in Matanzas province in Cuba, with official government ink stamps from municipalities. The contract consists of 8 articles that specify rules and conditions for the colonos. Each contract has several signatures. 32x22 cm. (12¾x8¾"). 1865, 1867(2) and 1869.
* Four certificates of nationality, issued by the Chinese Consulate in Havana. They contain an official ink seal from “Consulado General Imperial de China” and on the reverse contain another official ink stamp from "Agencia del Consulado de China Matanzas”. 16x22 cm. (6¼x8½"). 1884.
Together, 8 items.

Chinese colonos were brought to Cuba to partly compensate for the lack of labor force brought about by the end of slavery. Colonos had virtually as few rights as a regular slave brought to Cuba by force and the only way to free themselves was to run away. Many Chinese colonos died from the horrific conditions they had to endure or committed suicide. The import of Chinese colonos was forbidden by the Chinese Government after investigations were conducted into the realities that awaited colonos in Cuba.