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  • 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 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 document comprises two pages from a 1900 appeal for donations to support tuberculosis research and treatment, reflecting public health initiatives in the United States during a period of heightened awareness of infectious diseases. Although the transcription of the text is entirely illegible—precluding identification of authorship, institutional affiliation, or specific content—the document’s title and date situate it within the broader context of early 20th-century efforts to combat tuberculosis, a leading cause of mortality at the time. As one of the most pressing public health crises of the era, tuberculosis prompted widespread philanthropic activity aimed at funding sanatoriums, medical research, and patient care. This appeal likely originated from a medical society, charitable organization, or public health campaign seeking financial support to address the epidemic. The document exemplifies the growing role of organized philanthropy in advancing medical science and mobilizing civic engagement for public health causes. While the illegibility of the text limits its utility for detailed historical or textual analysis, its metadata—particularly its provenance, purpose, and historical context—offer valuable insights into the strategies and rhetoric of early public health advocacy. It serves as a material artifact of contemporary efforts to harness private donations in the fight against a pervasive disease, illustrating the intersection of medicine, charity, and social responsibility in the Progressive Era. Furthermore, the condition of the document underscores the challenges of archival preservation and highlights the importance of digitization and conservation in safeguarding fragile historical materials for future scholarly inquiry.

  • 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 diplomatic report, dated August 10, 1900, was issued by Joaquim Almeida Castelo Branco, Counselor of the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (Guangzhou), and addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. It provides a firsthand account of the political situation in southern China during the Boxer Rebellion, with particular emphasis on the role of Li Hongzhang, the influential Qing statesman and Viceroy of the Two Kwangs (Guangdong and Guangxi). At the time, Li was seen as a stabilizing force amid widespread anti-foreign unrest sweeping northern China. The report details his diminished authority following the 1898 coup against the Guangxu Emperor, his strategic retreat to Canton, and his efforts to maintain order through military readiness, including reliance on the Black Flag Army. Notably, it recounts his aborted attempt to travel to Shanghai aboard an American warship—an initiative discouraged by foreign diplomatic authorities—and his eventual departure from Canton, which precipitated significant anxiety among both foreign residents and local elites. The document underscores the rapid deterioration of stability following his exit: European communities initiated evacuations, commercial activities declined sharply, and public order weakened under the interim viceroy, referred to as "Se," who lacked sufficient authority and military support to govern effectively. The report offers critical insights into foreign diplomatic perceptions of Qing regional governance, the fragility of political control during periods of national crisis, and the complex interplay between local power structures and international interests.

  • This abstract provides a concise summary of a historical diplomatic correspondence from the late 19th or early 20th century, originating from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou), China. The document, dated and signed by an official at the consulate, addresses communications between the Portuguese authorities in Macau and the Governor of Canton regarding the Catholic mission in Macau. Key points include the receipt of a telegram from the Governor requesting updates on the mission's status, the dispatch of a pastoral letter from the Bishop of Macau to local parishioners, and the subsequent request for clarification on objections raised by the Governor. The text also references interactions with Sinian, a Christian figure, and discusses broader implications of missionary activities within the context of anti-foreign sentiment in China. The document reflects the complex interplay between colonial administration, religious missions, and local governance during this period, offering valuable insights into the challenges faced by missionaries and diplomats in navigating cultural and political tensions. Researchers will find this transcription particularly useful for understanding the dynamics of Portuguese influence in East Asia, the role of the Catholic Church in colonial territories, and the socio-political climate surrounding foreign presence in China during the late imperial era.

Last update from database: 10/29/25, 8:02 AM (UTC)

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