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This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Government of Macau and transmitted through the Embassy of Portugal to the Holy See, documents a sensitive territorial and political dispute involving French missionary land acquisitions near Macau. The primary subject is a series of purchases by the French Catholic mission of three parcels of land—Sai-kua-pu, Sai-mai-kong, and Bac-mai-Kong—at the foot of Mount Catae, approximately five kilometres from Macau, officially registered under the authority of the Xiangshan mandarin. The reports, authored by Acting Governor Alfredo Lello and addressed to the Secretary of State for Naval and Overseas Affairs in Lisbon, argue that these acquisitions, conducted under the provisions of the 1860 Franco-Chinese Treaty, served strategic political rather than religious or medical purposes, despite the stated pretext of establishing a sanatorium. The documents detail an incident in which Chinese agents attempted to serve a summons on Ip-lin-san, a naturalised Portuguese subject and Macau resident, over allegations of unlawful burial on contested land, prompting protests regarding violations of Portuguese territorial jurisdiction. Internal investigations concluded that the burial claims were unfounded and likely a pretext to clear access to French-held plots. The correspondence further highlights British concern in Hong Kong over perceived French expansionist ambitions in southern China, particularly given the strategic vantage of the acquired lands overlooking key maritime routes. The material provides critical insight into colonial rivalries, ecclesiastical politics under the Padroado system, and the use of missionary activity as an instrument of imperial influence in late Qing China.

This is a confidential diplomatic despatch dated 17 June 1920, sent from Rome by J. P. Martins to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, concerning ecclesiastical affairs in Macau. The document, classified as No. 26 and marked “Confidential”, serves as a supplementary communication to earlier correspondence (Despatch No. 42 of 10 June 1920) regarding the appointment of the Bishop of Macau. It reports allegations about Father Gomes, a figure involved in ecclesiastical activities in Macau, asserting that he lacks extensive literary knowledge and that questions have been raised about the financial management of a subscription he organised several years prior for the benefit of the local seminary. Despite reported construction works at the institution, doubts persist among certain individuals regarding the proper allocation of the collected funds, though the author neither verifies nor endorses these claims. J. P. Martins explicitly states his inability to assess the validity of the information and transmits it solely for official consideration and potential investigation. The despatch reflects concerns over clerical competence and financial accountability within a colonial ecclesiastical context during the early 20th century. As an official record from the Portuguese diplomatic corps, this document offers valuable insight into church-state relations, administrative oversight, and the governance of religious institutions under Portuguese influence in Macau.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressed to an ecclesiastical authority, documents the formal transmission of a Royal Charter appointing Reverend João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro as Bishop of Macau. The document, dated 10 June 1902 and issued by Counsellor Miguel Martins d’Antas in Lisbon, includes a copy of the canonical process (*processus inaugurationis*) compiled at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, which accompanied the nomination to the Holy See. A parallel communication from the Vatican Secretariat, dated 21 June 1902 and referencing an earlier note from January of that year, confirms receipt of the nomination materials sent by His Excellency, including a letter from Pedelizzi sirna concerning Monsignor Giovanni Paolino de Sjavedo’s appointment to the Petrine See of Macao. The Vatican response, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, acknowledges the delivery of the pontifical autograph to the Pope and the forwarding of documents to Miguel Martins d’Artes, expressing formal gratitude and reaffirming esteem for the recipient. The file, registered on 6 February 1902 after arrival in Caracas on 19 February, forms part of administrative records held in Lisbon under Division R.7, File 35 3/. This dual bureaucratic and ecclesiastical documentation reflects the procedural interplay between state and Church in Portuguese colonial ecclesiastical appointments during the early 20th century, offering insight into diplomatic protocols and the governance of Catholic sees in overseas territories.

This 1902 diplomatic correspondence, originating from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressed to an ecclesiastical authority, documents the formal transmission of a Royal Charter appointing Reverend João Paulino de Azevedo e Castro as Bishop of Macau. The document, dated 10 June 1902 and issued by Counsellor Miguel Martins d’Antas in Lisbon, includes a copy of the canonical process (*processus inaugurationis*) compiled at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, which accompanied the nomination to the Holy See. A parallel communication from the Vatican Secretariat, dated 21 June 1902 and referencing an earlier note from January of that year, confirms receipt of the nomination materials sent by His Excellency, including a letter from Pedelizzi sirna concerning Monsignor Giovanni Paolino de Sjavedo’s appointment to the Petrine See of Macao. The Vatican response, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, acknowledges the delivery of the pontifical autograph to the Pope and the forwarding of documents to Miguel Martins d’Artes, expressing formal gratitude and reaffirming esteem for the recipient. The file, registered on 6 February 1902 after arrival in Caracas on 19 February, forms part of administrative records held in Lisbon under Division R.7, File 35 3/. This dual bureaucratic and ecclesiastical documentation reflects the procedural interplay between state and Church in Portuguese colonial ecclesiastical appointments during the early 20th century, offering insight into diplomatic protocols and the governance of Catholic sees in overseas territories.

This is a confidential diplomatic despatch dated 17 June 1920, sent from Rome by J. P. Martins to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, concerning ecclesiastical affairs in Macau. The document, classified as No. 26 and marked “Confidential”, serves as a supplementary communication to earlier correspondence (Despatch No. 42 of 10 June 1920) regarding the appointment of the Bishop of Macau. It reports allegations about Father Gomes, a figure involved in ecclesiastical activities in Macau, asserting that he lacks extensive literary knowledge and that questions have been raised about the financial management of a subscription he organised several years prior for the benefit of the local seminary. Despite reported construction works at the institution, doubts persist among certain individuals regarding the proper allocation of the collected funds, though the author neither verifies nor endorses these claims. J. P. Martins explicitly states his inability to assess the validity of the information and transmits it solely for official consideration and potential investigation. The despatch reflects concerns over clerical competence and financial accountability within a colonial ecclesiastical context during the early 20th century. As an official record from the Portuguese diplomatic corps, this document offers valuable insight into church-state relations, administrative oversight, and the governance of religious institutions under Portuguese influence in Macau.