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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 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 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 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.

This diplomatic dispatch, dated 30 October 1900, originates from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton and comprises a series of translated communications sent to the Minister and Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon. The document records events between 20 and 29 October 1900 concerning political unrest and diplomatic affairs in southern China during a period of regional instability. It details a formal protest by foreign consular representatives—including those of Portugal, Britain, Germany, and the United States—over the desecration of the foreign cemetery in Canton by Chinese soldiers. The Viceroy of the region responded by authorising punishments, including floggings, imprisonment in Mambuí prisons, cangue penalties, and public proclamations at the cemetery entrance, following recommendations from the Council of Inflataerra. The British consul initiated coordinated diplomatic pressure, which the Portuguese consul supported. Additionally, the dispatch reports on military movements linked to a local rebellion directed against the Manchu authorities, not foreigners, with uprisings noted in Wen Chan and Kwangsi province. Reinforcements of 1,000 men returned to Canton after reportedly restoring order. A separate incident involving the suspected deliberate destruction of the Vicariate’s Yamen by dynamite is mentioned, though officials attempted to conceal the cause. The document provides insight into foreign diplomatic intervention, colonial perceptions of Chinese authority, and internal Qing dynasty unrest at the turn of the twentieth century.

This 1900 diplomatic correspondence from the Consulate of Portugal in Canton comprises a series of transcribed reports and notes addressed to the Portuguese Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, concerning the political and military situation in southern China during the Boxer Crisis. Dated between April and October 1900, the documents were authored by Joaquim Belisário Carvalho Gurgel, Commander and Portuguese Consul, and relay assessments of key Chinese officials, particularly Li Hongzhang (Li Hung Chang) and his successor, Viceroy Two Kuang (Dukang). The reports analyse Li Hongzhang’s political influence, his attempts to maintain neutrality between the Qing court and foreign powers, and his efforts to prevent southern involvement in the northern uprising. Detailed observations are provided on military preparations in Canton, including the role of the "Black Flag" forces, troop deployments, and the perceived weakness of local defences. The text examines the activities of secret societies, such as the "Boxers" and possible "Bogers," their potential alignment against foreign interests, and the broader threat of revolutionary unrest. It further addresses the precarious position of missionaries, whose actions are seen as exacerbating tensions, and evaluates the vulnerability of the foreign settlement at Shamser (Shamshuipo), highlighting strategic deficiencies in its defence. The documents also reflect on inter-imperial dynamics, referencing American, British, French, and Japanese involvement, and conclude with assessments of likely conflict trajectories, evacuation plans, and the fragile stability maintained in Canton under contested leadership.

This 1900 Portuguese consular report from Canton (Guangzhou), composed of multiple dispatches dated between April and August of that year, provides a detailed assessment of the city’s military defences during the late Qing dynasty. Submitted by the Portuguese Consulate in Canton to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ellinistos, the document examines the structure, armament, and strategic layout of coastal fortifications along the Pearl River (Chu-Kiang), divided into three defensive groups: the Bocca Tigris at the river’s mouth, Nampoá (Wanpoa) midway upstream, and the port of Canton itself. It enumerates 22 forts equipped with 109 modern artillery pieces, predominantly Krupp, Armstrong, and Whitworth guns ranging from 15 to 24 cm, while distinguishing obsolete riverside batteries as historically significant but militarily ineffective. The report includes an unverified inventory of ammunition stocks and notes the potential use of torpedoes and river obstructions for defence. Additionally, it analyses the composition and effectiveness of land and naval forces in Canton, contrasting Manchu troops under Tartar generals—intended to monitor local Chinese authorities—with locally recruited Chinese units such as the "Black Flags" and forces under Vice-Rei. The text critiques the poor discipline, recruitment practices, and combat readiness of regular troops, estimating approximately 10,000 regular soldiers and over 20,000 irregulars. Armament is noted to include repeating rifles, likely Mausers, though precise numbers remain uncertain. The document also references accompanying sketches of the river’s navigational route and fortification placements, underscoring its value as a strategic intelligence record produced amid wartime secrecy.

This 1900 diplomatic memorandum, originating from the Portuguese Embassy to the Holy See in Rome, documents negotiations between the governments of Portugal and France concerning the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Hainan Island in southern China. The text records that Hainan had been provisionally placed under the Diocese of Macau by the Holy See in 1875–76, but due to limited clergy and logistical challenges, the Bishop of Macau had not effectively evangelised the island. In light of the Paris Foreign Missions Society’s growing capacity within the Apostolic Prefecture of Guangdong, the French government proposed transferring Hainan back to Cantonese ecclesiastical authority. Portugal conditionally assented, requiring in exchange the extension of the Bishop of Macau’s jurisdiction over the district of Chao Hing (Gao Hing), adjacent to existing territories under his spiritual control. The agreement was to be implemented *provisoria tantum ratione*—on a provisional basis only—with territorial delimitations subject to prior approval by the Holy See. The document includes multiple memoranda from 1898–1900 exchanged between diplomatic representatives in Lisbon, Paris, and Rome, including communications involving Mr Avoye, Mr Delcassé, and the Apostolic Nuncio. It reflects the intersection of colonial diplomacy, ecclesiastical administration, and imperial interests in late 19th-century China, illustrating how religious jurisdiction served as both a spiritual and political instrument in Sino-European relations.