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This 1896 diplomatic dispatch, originating from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (A-203, fol. 159), addresses two interconnected cases of commercial insolvency involving Portuguese subjects and foreign enterprises in late Qing China. The document, dated 29 January 1896, is addressed to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and authored by a Portuguese consular official. It details the bankruptcy of V. A. Rosário and the ‘Hotel Victoria’, a tavern-style establishment managed by the Portuguese national T. da Cruz and owned by Chinese individuals operating within the Shamshuipo concessions. The consul outlines procedural irregularities in the handling of these bankruptcies, particularly the absence of formal public notices or legal seals, and describes the customary practice whereby consular authorities recover debts and distribute proceeds proportionally among creditors. Attention is drawn to the role of the British Vice-Consul Bourne, who collected $9.06 from the Hotel Victoria’s estate but failed to report the matter promptly, resulting in uncertainty over rightful claimants. The author proposes that unclaimed sums—$20.01 from Alliston & Co. and $9.06 from the Hotel Victoria—be deposited into the consulate chest as state revenue, pending potential future claims. The text provides insight into colonial commercial practices, extraterritorial jurisdiction, and informal economic networks in treaty-port China at the close of the 19th century.

This is a consular dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 10 July 1895 (document number 11B), reporting on the sanitary conditions in Canton and surrounding areas during an outbreak of bubonic plague. The document, addressed to the Minister and Secretary of State for Royal Affairs, details the consul’s communication with the Governor of Macau regarding the epidemic. It confirms that while Canton itself was free of active plague transmission since April 1895, neighbouring populations continued to report cases. The consul notes that although local mortality remains elevated due to tropical heat and the Chinese population’s relative immunity, no confirmed bubonic plague cases have been recorded within Canton’s urban boundaries. He acknowledges persistent rumours of isolated cases but cannot verify them. Conversely, he reports that plague continues to appear in certain villages near Canton, as confirmed by local mandarins residing among Chinese communities. The document underscores the difficulty in monitoring rural outbreaks and the limitations of official reporting mechanisms. This transcription offers valuable insight into late 19th-century public health perceptions, colonial administrative responses, and the challenges of epidemic control in treaty port cities under imperial frameworks.

This 1894 diplomatic dispatch, issued by Demetius Cinatti, Portuguese Consul in Canton, documents an outbreak of bubonic plague in two native districts of Canton (Guangzhou) during April 1894. Addressed to the Portuguese Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the report summarises medical observations from Dr. Alexander Rennie, physician to the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs, and Dr. Swan, director of the American Mission Hospital, both of whom assessed the epidemiological situation as locally contained and not alarmingly contagious. The document details clinical symptoms—including violent fevers, gangrenous inflammations, and buboes in the groin, axillae, or neck—and notes higher mortality among women and children, attributed to their indoor domestic lifestyle. While Chinese sources reported up to 200 cases by 24 April, European medical observers regarded these figures as exaggerated, citing poor reporting and conflation of all deaths with plague. The outbreak was associated with unsanitary conditions and seasonal miasmatic influences, particularly in impoverished peripheral neighbourhoods. An unconfirmed resurgence was reported in a suburban district across the river on 28 April, but on-site inspection by the Consul and medical personnel failed to verify its extent. Two additional cases were admitted to the American Mission Hospital, though both were moribund upon arrival. The report highlights discrepancies between local accounts and Western medical assessments, and underscores the perceived decline of the disease by late April. This primary source offers critical insights into colonial-era public health perceptions, cross-cultural medical interpretation, and epidemic response in late Qing China.

This is a diplomatic dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 19 June 1895, originating from the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. The document, classified as Series A, reports on an alleged uprising against Europeans occurring in the interior of China, specifically within the province of Le-Tchouen. It notes that British and American missionaries are reportedly sheltered within the ‘Yamens’ of various Mandarins, while European ministers resident in Peking have already formally protested the incident. The dispatch acknowledges uncertainty regarding the veracity and scale of the revolt, stating that no concrete developments or official response have yet materialised as of the date of writing, and reserves the right to provide further updates should the situation evolve. The communication reflects contemporary diplomatic protocol and colonial-era terminology, offering insight into European diplomatic reporting mechanisms and perceptions of unrest within Qing China during the late 19th century. This transcription is suitable for scholarly analysis of imperial diplomacy, missionary safety, and intra-imperial tensions in East Asia circa 1895.

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.

This 1893 official correspondence comprises a Vatican diplomatic document originating from the offices of the Holy See, dated 20 October, and numbered 14752. It is addressed to the Ambassador of Portugal to the Holy See by Cardinal Mariano Rampolla, then Cardinal Secretary of State. The document acknowledges receipt of a formal note from the Portuguese Ambassador transmitting a petition from the Bishop of Macao concerning two ecclesiastical matters: the approval of the liturgical calendar for the Diocese of Macao and the authorisation of a proper Mass and office in honour of the feast commemorating the translation of the body of Saint Francis Xavier. The text records that these requests were submitted to Pope Leo XIII, who referred them to the Sacred Congregation of Rites—specifically noted as having been previously examined by the Congregation for the Sacraments—for review and deliberation. The endorsement confirms diplomatic protocol through its formal address to the Portuguese Ambassador and concludes with a reaffirmation of papal esteem. The document forms part of a broader administrative and ecclesiastical exchange between the Holy See and Portuguese colonial ecclesiastical authorities in Macau, reflecting the intersection of colonial religious administration and centralised Vatican authority in late nineteenth-century Catholicism. It provides primary evidence of liturgical governance and diplomatic channels within the Roman Curia during the pontificate of Leo XIII.

Official correspondence from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs, First Division, dated 24 August 1903, transmitted in Lisbon and addressed to General Carneiro. The document, authored by Miguel Martins d’Almeida, forwards a petition submitted by the Superior of the College of Overseas Missions, which had already been reviewed by the Apostolic Nunciature regarding matters within its ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The letter requests that General Carneiro intercede to secure approval from the Holy See on those aspects of the petition falling under papal authority. Endorsed with administrative annotations indicating internal processing and final approval on 5 October 1903, the file includes partially illegible, damaged, and uncertain sections, reflecting limitations in textual preservation. This primary source offers insight into early 20th-century ecclesiastico-diplomatic relations between Portugal and the Vatican, particularly concerning the administration of overseas missionary activities within the context of colonial religious institutions. The document serves as evidence of formal state mediation in ecclesiastical affairs and highlights bureaucratic procedures in the governance of Catholic missions under Portuguese influence. Researchers will find this material relevant for studies on church-state relations, colonial religious policy, and diplomatic history in the late Portuguese Empire.

Official dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 24 May 1892, addressed to Dr. Demétrio Cinatti and copied to Mr. Ct. Atyras de Gonçalves All. and an unnamed British official. The document analyses three parliamentary proposals concerning a proposed 50% customs duty reduction on goods originating from Macau, intended to stimulate its economy. The first proposal, by Deputy Mota e Costa, advocates a 50% rebate on shared duties for industrially produced Macanese goods shipped directly to Portugal. The second, Bill No. 84, limits the benefit to goods transported on Portuguese vessels, effective from 1 July 1892, while the third, by Peer Coude de Castro, extends the reduction to all Macau-origin goods cleared at Canton and adjacent islands. The author critically evaluates each, warning that the third is overly liberal and risks benefiting foreign enterprises more than Portuguese interests. Emphasising Macau’s entrepôt function and limited industrial capacity, the consul argues that previous incentives, such as the 1889 25% tea bonus, yielded no tangible results. He highlights severe fiscal implications: potential annual revenue losses exceeding 1,600 contos de réis due to displaced domestic production and expanded colonial competition, particularly disadvantaging African territories. Noting that Macau’s trade is largely controlled by Chinese and foreign actors, he cautions against measures enriching foreign capital at the metropole’s expense. Instead, he proposes a moderate 10–15% tariff reduction combined with a 36 contos subsidy to secure regular shipping services, ensuring economic stimulus without disproportionate cost or loss of state revenue.

This is a formal ecclesiastical dispatch dated 1 June 1891, issued by António, Bishop of Macau, to the Governor of Macau and Timor, in response to an official inquiry concerning the destruction of Catholic chapels in Hainan during the 1884 persecution. The document details the historical presence of Portuguese missionaries in Hainan since their initial establishment in 1630 by Father Bento de Mattos, including the founding of chapels in Kim-tchau-fu and interior settlements. It outlines the expulsion of Jesuits in 1769, the re-establishment of the mission in 1795, and subsequent French involvement until their withdrawal in 1876, after which Portuguese missionaries resumed control. The Bishop refutes claims that Chinese Christians owned or destroyed the chapels, asserting that all properties were constructed and maintained with mission funds—totaling nearly 3,000 taels by 1890—and thus belonged exclusively to the Catholic Church under canonical and treaty-based rights. He rejects the validity of forced apostasy declarations and denounces the Viceroy of the Two Quangs’ evasive responses to diplomatic inquiries, drawing parallels with prior cases involving French, British, and Spanish claims. The text includes detailed expenditures, administrative correspondence, and arguments for indemnity, emphasizing that just reparation is essential for the resumption of missionary activity. Attached documents substantiate financial outlays and diplomatic efforts, positioning the dispute within broader Sino-foreign treaty relations and colonial religious policy in late 19th-century South China.

On November 17, 1884, during the seventh year of Pope Leo XIII's pontificate, Dom Antonio Joaquim de Medeiros, formerly the titular Bishop of Thermopylae, was appointed Bishop of Macau. This appointment was facilitated by King Luís I of Portugal, who presented Medeiros for the position. The Diocese of Macau, under the patronage of the Portuguese king, became vacant upon the transfer of Bishop Emmanuel Bernard de Souza Ennes to the Diocese of Bragança. Financial records from November 14, 1884, detail the expenses related to Medeiros's appointment, totaling 757.57 and 959.53 florins in two separate computations. Papal bulls issued on November 13, 1884, officially document Medeiros's appointment, his absolution from prior vows, and his transfer to Macau. These documents also address the jurisdiction of the Macau Diocese, including territories under Portuguese rule and those overseen by the previous bishop. Further instructions outline Medeiros's responsibilities, including appointing a theologian and penitentiary, overseeing palace repairs, and establishing a mount of piety in Macau. The papal bulls also call upon the Chapter, clergy, people, and vassals of the Macau Diocese to show obedience and reverence to their new bishop.

This 1882 diplomatic correspondence from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, transmitted from Lisbon on 29 July, concerns ecclesiastical appointments within the Portuguese colonial context in Asia. The document comprises three interrelated texts: an official dispatch transmitting ecclesiastical materials to a government minister; a royal charter dated 30 December 1881 (with year partially redacted) issued under the authority of the King of Portugal; and a formal petition addressed to the Pope regarding the appointment of António Joaquim de Alpedrinha as coadjutor to the Archbishop of Goa and Superior of the Missions of Timor. Key figures include Dom Luís, styled as ruler of multiple territories including India, the priest António Joaquim de Alpedrinha, Father Espírito da Caparinha, and Medeiros, the Vicar General of Goa. The primary subject matter involves the nomination of Alpedrinha to assist in the spiritual governance of a vast and administratively challenging diocese encompassing Timor, with explicit reference to canonical procedures, the preservation of the Padroado Real (Royal Patronage), and the need for papal confirmation through Apostolic Letters. A stipend (congrua) is requested for the appointee’s sustenance. The documents reflect the intersection of state authority, colonial administration, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the late nineteenth-century Portuguese Empire, offering critical insights into church-state relations and the governance of overseas missions during the period.

Contains transcription of the Papal Bull of Gregory XIII establishing the Catholic Diocese of Macau in 1576

This 1860 diplomatic correspondence, comprising three despatches dated 25 and 26 June and 25 July, originates from the Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lynard, to António José d'Ávila J., Viscount of Mite, Minister of Her Majesty’s Government in Rome. The documents confirm receipt of multiple confidential communications from the Legation in Naples (Nos. 19, 21) and the extended series (Nos. 39, 40), along with a reserved despatch (No. 15), all concerning political developments on the Italian Peninsula during a period of significant upheaval. Central to the correspondence is the appointment of Count Alessandro Gallo as Vice-Consul of Portugal in Ancona, with instructions for the Minister to ensure the Count petitions the Ministry for the issuance of his Diplomatic Commission. Additionally, the Secretary of State transmits information relayed by Father Barroso regarding the frontier of Saint Joseph in Papo, forwarding a confidential extract to the Minister of Public Works. The despatches further request urgent clarification on colonial provisions necessary for the proposed renewal of a Commercial Treaty with Naples. These documents offer primary insight into Portugal’s diplomatic protocols, consular administration, and foreign policy considerations in mid-19th century Europe, particularly in relation to the shifting political landscape of the Italian states and colonial trade negotiations.