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This 1901 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ General Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs, concerns ecclesiastical jurisdictional negotiations between Portugal and France regarding territories in China. Dated 16 February 1901 and addressed to a high-ranking official, the document records an agreement reached between the Portuguese and French governments on the reassignment of ecclesiastical authority over Hainan Island, previously under the Diocese of Canton prior to the 1876 arrangement between the Vicar General of Macau and the Apostolic Prefect. The agreement stipulates that, in exchange for returning Hainan to the Diocese of Canton, the Bishop of Macau would gain jurisdiction over the Chao-Shing district adjacent to Shean-Chau, where he already exercised ecclesiastical authority. Two key conditions are noted: the necessity of initiating territorial demarcation procedures pending formal approval by the Holy See, and the provisional nature (provisoria tantum ratione) of the jurisdictional transfer. The French Legation in Lisbon communicated its government’s assent to these terms on 20 December 1900 and again on 13 February 1901. The document further references a communication from the Apostolic Nuncio dated 6 October 1900, conveying the Holy See’s requirement for formal ratification and canonical title before final confirmation. This file, part of Section No. 2, File 51, reflects the intersection of colonial diplomacy, Catholic ecclesiastical administration, and international agreements at the turn of the twentieth century.

This 1901 diplomatic correspondence from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton comprises a series of translated dispatches addressed to the Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. The documents, compiled between February and April 1901, detail three principal matters concerning Portugal’s interests in southern China during a period of political instability. First, the Consul reports on a successful indemnity claim for Chinese Christian converts from Leang Chan village, whose property was damaged during anti-Christian disturbances in October 1900. Despite initial resistance from local authorities, an investigation led by the Administrative Procurator and interpreter Simio resulted in an assessed compensation of 800 patacas, approved by both the Governor of Macau and the Viceroy of Canton. Second, the Consul responds to the Viceroy’s demands regarding foreign travel and missionary activity: he opposes mandatory passport presentation to local officials as contrary to Treaty provisions, and cautions against restricting missionaries’ role in advocating for Chinese Catholics, given official neglect and religious persecution. Third, the Consul outlines negotiations with the Viceroy concerning the political detainee King Lien Thon (also referred to as King Lien Shan), the military presence on Van Cau Island, and the commercial rights of Lucan, a naturalised Portuguese subject holding the Bac-a-pio lottery monopoly in Canton. The Viceroy agreed to his release under condition of non-entry into Chinese territory, affirmed Lucan’s concession, and acknowledged Portuguese sovereignty concerns over Van Cau. The documents reflect colonial diplomacy, treaty enforcement, and the intersection of religion and politics in late Qing China.

This 1901 consular report, authored by the Portuguese Consul in Shanghai and addressed to the Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, documents administrative, judicial, and diplomatic activities pertaining to the Portuguese Consulate in Shanghai during the final months of the consul’s tenure. The document, part of the Consular Records (Series A), outlines delays in fulfilling instructions due to exceptional workloads stemming from the consolidation of consular and deanship duties—a responsibility managed separately in other foreign missions, including those of Germany, England, France, and the United States. The author details measures taken to regularise operations, including staff augmentation and extended working hours, while managing urgent legal cases involving theft, bankruptcy, estate settlements, and nationality verification. Diplomatic priorities included negotiations on riverine navigation improvements on the Dongting River, troop withdrawals, arms import restrictions, indemnity administration, and customs representation. The report underscores the symbolic and diplomatic significance of the consulate, noting honours received from foreign consular corps and Chinese authorities, and highlights the absence of formal recognition for the Portuguese representative despite precedents set by other nations. It concludes with a reflection on the prestige associated with the Shanghai post and an appeal for acknowledgment of its importance within Portugal’s diplomatic hierarchy. This document provides critical insight into late Qing-era consular operations, international diplomacy in treaty-port China, and comparative colonial administrative practices.

This official dispatch, dated 9 November 1900, originates from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou) and is addressed to a high-ranking diplomatic or governmental authority. The document reports on the political and social conditions in Canton and the surrounding region during the final year of the nineteenth century. The consul, Felipe Guerra, informs his superior that calm has been restored in Canton following recent disturbances in local villages, with order fully re-established by 3 November. He notes the absence of confirmed unrest in the neighbouring province of Guangxi, indicating no spread of rebellion. A central focus of the report is an economic protest in Canton on 1 November 1900, wherein merchants and property owners collectively refused to pay a newly imposed levy—equivalent to two months’ rental income, half borne by landlords and half by tenants—intended for the maintenance of local security forces. Dissatisfied with corruption or inefficiency among local officials, who collected funds without providing adequate military protection, the commercial class declared a strike, demanding direct payment to armed forces. The strike halted all commerce for two and a half days, including small-scale trade, with major districts entering temporary agreements seemingly as a delaying tactic to coordinate with leading merchants. Despite the disruption, the consul emphasizes that public order remained intact throughout. This document provides primary evidence of fiscal tensions, urban governance challenges, and merchant agency in late Qing China, particularly within the context of foreign consular observation and colonial-era diplomatic reporting.

This official dispatch, dated 9 November 1900, originates from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou) and is addressed to a high-ranking diplomatic or governmental authority. The document reports on the political and social conditions in Canton and the surrounding region during the final year of the nineteenth century. The consul, Felipe Guerra, informs his superior that calm has been restored in Canton following recent disturbances in local villages, with order fully re-established by 3 November. He notes the absence of confirmed unrest in the neighbouring province of Guangxi, indicating no spread of rebellion. A central focus of the report is an economic protest in Canton on 1 November 1900, wherein merchants and property owners collectively refused to pay a newly imposed levy—equivalent to two months’ rental income, half borne by landlords and half by tenants—intended for the maintenance of local security forces. Dissatisfied with corruption or inefficiency among local officials, who collected funds without providing adequate military protection, the commercial class declared a strike, demanding direct payment to armed forces. The strike halted all commerce for two and a half days, including small-scale trade, with major districts entering temporary agreements seemingly as a delaying tactic to coordinate with leading merchants. Despite the disruption, the consul emphasizes that public order remained intact throughout. This document provides primary evidence of fiscal tensions, urban governance challenges, and merchant agency in late Qing China, particularly within the context of foreign consular observation and colonial-era diplomatic reporting.

Imperial Decree, 17 July 1900, translated and disseminated in late July 1900, issued by the Acting Viceroy of Canton to B. C. G. Scott, Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul, transmitting a proclamation based on an Imperial edict concerning the protection of foreigners and missionaries during the Boxer Rebellion. The document outlines imperial directives from the Qing court following the outbreak of hostilities in northern China, particularly after the seizure of the Taku Forts and the assassination of the German Minister in Peking. It mandates Tartar Generals, Viceroys, and Governors to safeguard foreign merchants, missionaries, converts, and their property at treaty ports and inland districts, in accordance with treaty obligations. The proclamation attributes the conflict to local unrest instigated by the ‘Boxer’ rebels, asserts the Crown's commitment to international amity, and demands strict suppression of insurrectionary activities, including arson and robbery. It further orders investigations into damages suffered by foreigners not resulting from military operations. Accompanying correspondence from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 28 July 1900, reports relative calm in the region, continued enforcement of order by the Acting Viceroy, and efforts to contain the conflict to northern China. Additional dispatches confirm the circulation of the decree, refute contemporary rumours of violence in Shamene, and transmit official documents to consular authorities. This collection provides critical primary evidence of Qing administrative responses to international crisis, regional governance during rebellion, and diplomatic communication in South China during July 1900.

This is a transcription of a Portuguese Consular Report from Canton, dated 6 July 1900, issued by the Consulate of Portugal in Canton (No. 5). The document addresses the Portuguese Minister and details intelligence gathered regarding the Boxer Rebellion, specifically concerning Prince Tuan, declared heir to the throne by the Empress Dowager and identified as leader of the Boxers, who reportedly proclaimed himself emperor in Peking. It notes that key regional Viceroyalties—Li Hong Chang (Canton), Chan Chih Tung (Hunan), and Lin Kunyi (Liang Kiang)—refused to acknowledge him, thereby influencing foreign non-intervention in southern and central China. The report describes preparations for military mobilisation, including troop deployments and religious agitation. Li Hong Chang is noted as collecting imperial customs revenues (mixed with European involvement) and reinforcing positions at the Bocca Tigris. Diplomatic tensions are highlighted between Western powers: France’s missionary activities face criticism in Hong Kong press; Anglo-French disputes have escalated in Tientsin; and American diplomatic efforts to secure Li Hong Chang’s transport north are thwarted. The text also mentions the presence of a senior U.S. naval official in Hong Kong awaiting deployment, alongside reports of reinforcements in Canton and the arrival of high-ranking Chinese generals. The author cautions against disclosing sensitive information, acknowledging potential misinformation but asserting belief in the veracity of his sources. The document concludes with references to further official communications received on 2 and 4 July concerning diplomatic incidents in Cebir and Talier.

This transcription is a historical diplomatic correspondence from the Consulate of Portugal in Canton (Guangzhou), dated 30 June 1920, documenting the consulate’s handling of a crisis in China involving Portuguese nationals and foreign diplomatic coordination. The document details logistical and security challenges faced by the consulate, including the refusal of naval authorities to deploy a steamboat for evacuating Portuguese subjects from Phanmen due to perceived risks of exposure during potential attacks. It also describes the strategic situation along the Pearl River, noting Chinese military posts and navigational obstructions such as river barriers that could be easily blocked by local vessels. The consul urges cooperation with allied forces—including British, American, and German volunteers—to ensure the safety of expatriates, proposing coordinated evacuation via native sampaus (boats) through routes bypassing fortifications. The text references internal Portuguese diplomatic communications and includes a formal letter addressed to the Portuguese Legation, emphasizing mutual understanding among foreign powers despite differing opinions. The abstract reflects the consul’s efforts to manage humanitarian evacuation under constrained conditions, while navigating tensions between national interests and collective security. This material is valuable for research on colonial diplomacy, inter-allied cooperation, and crisis management in early 20th-century China.

This 1900 diplomatic dispatch, issued by the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangdong) on 12 June, forms part of the official Series A correspondence addressed to the Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. Authored by Consul Joaquim Belchior Cabral Cruz, the document reports on the political and military situation in southern China amid the escalating Boxer Uprising in northern China. While asserting that calm nominally prevails in Canton, the author cautions that this stability is superficial, citing the presence of armed bands in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces and the ripple effects of unrest in Beijing since mid-May. The text references troop deployments by the Viceroy of Canton in response to rumours of uprisings in Guangxi, later attributed to local conflicts exploited by pirates. The dispatch also notes the appointment of Littung Han as interim Viceroy—a figure granted the high imperial honour of incorporating the Dragon motif into his robes—suggesting close ties to the imperial family. It further contextualises the anti-foreign activities of the Boxers in the north, their attacks on missionaries and converts, and anticipated foreign military intervention to restore order. Additionally, the consul briefly comments on trade along the Taur Shui River and the strategic implications of port access for Ilha Formosa (Taiwan), though declines to elaborate, acknowledging the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the colonial government there. This document provides critical insight into regional governance, imperial legitimacy, and foreign diplomatic perceptions during a period of intense upheaval in late Qing China.

This is a diplomatic dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 13 November 1900, transmitting a series of telegraphic communications between consular officials, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Macau, and the Chinese authorities during a period of civil unrest in southern China. The document records reports of attacks on Christian missions at Tourenne and civilian settlements at Taunam, prompting urgent requests for protective measures and potential military intervention. It details concerns over the safety of civilians, particularly women and children, and outlines diplomatic exchanges regarding the deployment of Portuguese and Chinese forces to restore order near Macau. The correspondence reflects Portugal’s strategic interest in maintaining stability in its colonial territory amid regional instability linked to broader anti-foreign and anti-Christian disturbances. Reference is made to coordinated international naval presence in Canton, including German, British, American, and French gunboats, indicating multilateral concern over escalating rebellion along the East River. The text also includes intelligence on rebel armament, noting possession of 5,000 modern rifles near N. Se Houng Koung. Additional context is provided through reports from the Diplomatic Corps in Peking, which assesses the southern uprisings as unlikely to be aimed at toppling the Qing Government despite widespread disorder. This primary source offers critical insights into colonial diplomacy, cross-border security concerns, and foreign intervention in late Qing China during the Boxer Rebellion era.

This diplomatic despatch, dated 20 October 1900, issued by the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou), documents escalating tensions and anti-foreign incidents in southern China during the Boxer Crisis. The correspondence addresses communications between the Governor of Macau, the Administrator of the Bishopric, and Portuguese consular authorities regarding attacks on Christian communities and foreign property. It reports that villages inhabited by native Christian converts had been looted and partially destroyed by rebels, prompting formal requests for Chinese authorities to restore order and provide indemnities, which had not yet been paid. The despatch emphasises the necessity of submitting detailed claims, including precise names, locations, and mission residences, to support future reparations, particularly given actions already taken by other foreign representatives. A separate incident is reported involving the desecration of graves in the foreign cemetery near ‘Macau Fort’, including minor damage to one Portuguese grave and a broken tombstone; while material loss was limited, the act is described as a serious affront to religious sensibilities and a potential catalyst for retaliation. The Viceroy’s response, relayed on 17 October, confirms repairs, dismissal of the local mandarin, and criminal penalties, including imprisonment. Additional telegrams detail attempted attacks near Porto Ceres and ongoing unrest. The document provides critical insight into Portuguese diplomatic concerns, colonial ecclesiastical networks, and Sino-foreign relations during a period of widespread instability in late Qing China.

This official diplomatic dispatch, dated 3 August 1900, was issued by the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou) and addressed to the Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. The document, numbered 9 to 144, reports on the political and social conditions in Canton during a period of regional instability linked to the Boxer Rebellion in northern China. The acting Viceroy of Canton, described as lacking confidence among foreign representatives, is noted to have maintained strict measures instituted by his predecessor, Li Hung Chang, contributing to a surface calm in the port. The consul observes that while public order remains stable and the city appears tranquil, the durability of this situation is uncertain. Reference is made to a previous communication (No. 81) sent to the Portuguese Legation, which detailed assurances from the acting Viceroy regarding the protection of foreigners and the containment of hostilities to northern China. The dispatch includes excerpts from telegraphic exchanges confirming the absence of immediate disturbances and affirming the Viceroy’s commitment to maintaining public order. The document provides insight into foreign diplomatic perceptions of Qing provincial authority during a critical moment in late Qing history, reflecting concerns over security, foreign relations, and internal stability in southern China amid broader national crisis.

This is a diplomatic despatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 26 September 1900, comprising a series of transcribed memoranda, telegrams, and reports sent to the Government of Macau concerning civil unrest in southern China during the late stages of the Boxer Rebellion. The document details disturbances in villages surrounding Canton, including Kuenchuli, Liyngpan, Tong Lee, Sim Tong in Wampo, and Horizon (Hon'teir), located approximately 40 miles east of the city. It records the flight of indigenous Christian converts into Canton, the deployment of local magistrates with armed forces, and the dispatch of 4,000 Chinese troops to affected areas. Mention is made of the French gunboat "Eva Lanche" en route to Kwan-chuk, where insurgents were reported, and of the alleged involvement of the 'Lady of the Black Flag' in collusion with secret societies. The consul expresses concern over escalating violence—including arson, looting, and anti-Christian attacks—and notes restrictive imperial directives reportedly sanctioned by the Empress, which appear to legitimise military actions against foreign interests. Despite temporary calm in Canton, the author anticipates further deterioration of public order, drawing parallels with events in Tientsin. The despatch reflects contemporary anxieties about regional stability, the role of Chinese authorities under the Interior Viceroy, and the vulnerability of foreign and Christian communities amid widespread rebellion. This primary source offers critical insights into localised responses to the Boxer Uprising in Guangdong province.

This collection of diplomatic dispatches from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated between August and September 1900, comprises official correspondence concerning political instability and revolutionary activity in southern China during the late Qing period. The documents include telegraphic reports from the Governor of Chacan, communications from Tê, Acting Viceroy of Canton, and exchanges between the Portuguese Consul (J.M. Lopes), the Governor of Macau (Dr. Horta e Costa), and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs. Central to the correspondence is an alleged conspiracy by the ‘Protectorate Party of the Empire’—a revolutionary faction linked to secret societies such as the Se Kung-in-vai and Wang—and its coordination with exiled reformers including Kang Youwei. The Viceroy reports on plans for insurrection across Liang-hue, San Chiang, and Liang-pang provinces, detailing arms smuggling via Nan-yang (interpreted as the Southern Seas), recruitment networks in Hong Kong and Macau, and the involvement of key figures such as Ho-lin-wong, Tao-Cheng-pat, and Chang Chong-im. British diplomatic responses, particularly from the Hong Kong authorities, are noted, highlighting tensions between colonial protection of dissidents and Qing demands for repression. The Consul assesses the feasibility of revolt, regional security measures, and fears of assassination against high-ranking officials. These documents provide critical insight into Sino-foreign relations, transregional revolutionary networks, and colonial diplomacy in South China at the turn of the 20th century.