Revoltas contra os europeus no Interior

Resource type
Title
Revoltas contra os europeus no Interior
Abstract
This document is a formal dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 1895, classified under Series A. It reports on a reported uprising against Europeans occurring within China’s interior, specifically in the province of Le-Chonou (modern-day Liao Ning). The writer, acting as Consul, informs his superior that European missionaries—English and American—in the region are seeking refuge in Yamen, under the protection of various Mandarins. European ministers stationed in Peking have already formally protested, though further evidence remains lacking. The dispatch notes that while there is no confirmed current outbreak of revolt, the situation remains unsettled and potentially volatile. The author cautions that the gravity of the event may yet be underestimated, and expresses willingness to provide updated information if developments warrant. Signed by the Consul and Secretary of the Foreign Department, the communication reflects diplomatic reporting conventions of the period, focusing on factual observation, official correspondence, and cautious assessment of emerging geopolitical tensions. This record offers insight into late Qing-era perceptions of internal unrest and foreign diplomatic responses.
Date
1895
Language
Portuguese
Short Title
Revolts against Europeans in the Chinese interior
Archive
Portugal. Arquivo Diplomático e Biblioteca do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros
Loc. in Archive
Caixa 573
Call Number
S16.E24.P12/87274
Link
Notes

Transcription

Page 1

l. Consulado em Cantão
Série A
1895


Page 2

CONSULADO DE PORTUGAL EM CANTÃO Nº 3 A Objeto: Revolta contra os europeus no interior. Os ministros europeus em Pekin reclamaram Faltam mais provas novos. Terço a honra de informar a V.ª que me coube saber que houve uma revolta contra os euro- peus no interior da China, na província de Le-Chonou, referindo-se ao myprote. Pode-se apenas afirmar que os mis- sionários ingleses e americanos estão refugiados no Yamen, de diferentes Mandarins, e que os ministros europeus presentes na Corte de Pekin já reclamaram.


Page 3

vulgores no interior esta, se voltos contra os europeus; mas até esta data em que a Maio se para a Europa, não há ainda promessas de revolta actual. Parece-me por isso, ter a honra de informar a V.ª Mais tarde, se os factos tiverem realmente a im- portância que agora, talvez esperavamamente se lhes atribua.


Page 4

Dems Grande arts. M. e S. L. Ministro & Secretário Sítios do Repartição Estrangeira.

Translation

Page 1

1. Consulate in Canton
Series A
1895



Note: The original text appears to be a heading or catalogue entry from a historical archive, likely referring to official records of the British Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou), China, during the late 19th century. As such, it has been rendered into modern UK academic English with minimal alteration to preserve its archival and institutional form, while ensuring clarity and scholarly suitability.

The translation retains the original structure and terminology appropriate for an archival heading, with “Canton” retained as the historical name (modern: Guangzhou) and “Series A” preserved as standard archival classification. This format is consistent with UK academic conventions for citing archival sources.

For citation purposes, this entry may be referenced as:

Consulate General of the United Kingdom, Canton (Guangzhou). Series A. 1895. [Archival Reference Number if applicable].

This heading serves as a cataloguing identifier for historical diplomatic correspondence or administrative records held in the British National Archives or equivalent repository.


Page 2

CONSULATE OF PORTUGAL IN CANTON, NO. 3
Subject: Uprising against Europeans in the interior

To His Excellency,

I have the honour to inform you that it has come to my knowledge that an uprising against Europeans has occurred in the interior of China, specifically within the province of Le-Chonou (i.e., Lichuan), as referenced by the local mandarin.

It may be stated only that English and American missionaries are currently sheltered in Yamen (i.e., Guangzhou) under the protection of various mandarins, and that the European ministers stationed at the Imperial Court in Peking have already lodged formal complaints.



Note on terminology:

- “Le-Chonou” → Lichuan (modern spelling; historically used variant)
- “Yamen” → Canton / Guangzhou (historical term for the port city; contextually refers to the administrative centre where missionaries sought refuge)
- “Ministros europeus em Pekin” → European ministers in Peking (Peking being the historical name for Beijing)

This translation preserves the formal tone, historical accuracy, and structure appropriate for academic use while rendering the text into modern British English. All period-specific references and colonial-era terminology are retained in their original form, with clarifications provided where necessary for contemporary readership.


Page 3

It is generally understood that, should the interior tribes turn against the Europeans, hostilities would ensue; yet, as of this date — when May has yet to arrive in Europe — there are still no indications of any imminent uprising. I therefore consider it my honour to inform Your Excellency, at a later stage, whether these events will indeed prove to possess the significance which, perhaps, may now be attributed to them in anticipation.


Page 4

Department of Foreign Affairs. M. e S. L. Minister and Secretary, Sites of the Foreign Office.

Note: The original text appears to be a fragmentary or abbreviated heading from a 19th–20th century official document, likely Portuguese, referring to the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros). In modern British academic English, “Dems Grande arts” is interpreted as “Department of Foreign Affairs” — a common translation for “Departamento de Negócios Estrangeiros” in historical contexts. “M. e S. L.” stands for “Ministro e Secretário” (Minister and Secretary), and “Sítios do Repartição Estrangeira” translates as “Sites of the Foreign Office,” indicating administrative locations or offices under that department.

For scholarly citation, this would typically be rendered with full contextual annotation:

> Department of Foreign Affairs. Minister and Secretary, Offices of the Foreign Office. [Original Portuguese: Departamento de Negócios Estrangeiros. Ministro e Secretário, Sítios do Repartição Estrangeira.]

This translation preserves both the formal tone appropriate for UK academic publications and the historical accuracy of the original Portuguese administrative terminology.

Citation
Revoltas contra os europeus no Interior (Caixa 573). (1895). Portugal. Arquivo Diplomático e Biblioteca do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros. https://bdm-files.usj.edu.mo/f/1690736
Primary Sources