Ofício do mandarim sub-prefeito de Macau, Wei, ao procurador de Macau, informando sobre o caso de um mercador holandês que veio de Cantão a Macau para esperar o navio do seu país
Transcription
Page 1
[Page]
477
[Archival mark]
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1454
[Marginalia — top right]
登內號記
[Stamp — top center]
[Red circular seal: illegible characters]
[Title]
特授廣州海防軍民府兼督番東香四縣捕務紀錄四次親
[Main text]
據南海縣申稱乾隆十九年閏四月二十日
白據洋行商人義豐行邱崑禀前事稱緣有嶺蘭國夷商
啞哩喼在省候船先經稟明
關憲因准往案茲該夷隨帶小廝一名防身劍刀一口衣箱行李全前往澳門候伊國船到除稟
關憲批照外理合報明伏乞賜文轉報等情到縣據此合就據詞通報等由到府據此擬合就行為
此牌仰該夷目咹嚛咹等照依原文到即將夷商啞哩喼到澳查明前項入數驗剝相符收管
約束出具收管繳查毋得任其滋事致干未便毋違速須頒牌
[Signature]
右牌仰夷目咹嚛咹等准此
[Stamp — left margin, vertical]
[Red rectangular seal: 廣州府印]
[Marginalia — left margin, vertical]
限
即
日繳
[Stamp — lower right corner]
[Red circular seal: illegible characters]
[Handwritten annotation — left side, vertical red ink]
花
[Handwritten annotation — upper center, pencil]
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Translation
Page 1
[Page]
477
[Archival reference]
T15
1454
[Marginal note — top right]
Dengnei haoji (‘Register of the Dengnei [Office]’)
[Official seal — top centre]
[Red circular seal: characters illegible]
[Title]
Imperial Commission for the Guangzhou Maritime Defence Prefecture and Civil–Military Administration, concurrently overseeing the maritime security and foreign trade supervision of the four counties of Pan (Panyu), Dong (Dongguan), Xiang (Xiangshan), and Si (Sihui); Fourth Official Record of Direct Oversight
[Main text]
The Nanhai County Magistrate reported as follows: On the twentieth day of the intercalary fourth month in the nineteenth year of the Qianlong reign (1754), the merchant firm Yifeng Hang—operating under the Cohong system—submitted a petition through its principal, Mr Qiu Kun, stating that a foreign merchant from the Kingdom of Linglan (a historical Sinophone rendering of ‘Lingam’, likely denoting a South Asian or Persianate polity; cf. *Linglam*/*Lingala* variants in 18th-century Chinese diplomatic records, though here more plausibly a transcription of *‘Alam’* or *‘Ilam’*, possibly referencing Ilam Province in Persia or a variant of ‘Alam’ meaning ‘realm’ in Persian/Arabic usage) named Yamlij had arrived in Guangzhou to await passage aboard his country’s vessel. His arrival had previously been reported to the Imperial Maritime Customs Commissioner (Guān Xiàn), who granted formal permission for him to proceed. The said foreign merchant now intends to travel to Macau accompanied by one personal attendant and carrying a sword (for self-defence), clothing, trunks, and other personal effects, there to await the arrival of his national vessel. In addition to submitting the requisite report to the Customs Commissioner—with his endorsement appended—the matter has been formally referred to Nanhai County for notification. Upon receipt, the County transmitted the documentation to this Prefectural Office.
Having reviewed the submission, it is hereby determined that official action is warranted.
This official notice is therefore issued to the designated foreign headmen (Yí mù)—namely, Anhuk An and others—directing them to verify, upon receipt of this document, the arrival of the foreign merchant Yamlij in Macau; to examine and confirm the accuracy of the above-stated particulars—including his identity, retinue, arms, and baggage—and, having satisfied themselves as to their conformity with the record, to take formal custody of the individual and his effects. The foreign headmen are further instructed to issue a written receipt acknowledging custody and to submit it for verification. Under no circumstances shall they permit the said merchant to engage in any conduct liable to provoke disturbance or breach public order, lest complications arise. This directive must be obeyed without delay.
[Signature]
By order of the Prefectural Office: To the foreign headmen Anhuk An and others—this notice is binding.
[Official seal — left margin, vertical]
[Red rectangular seal: ‘Seal of the Guangzhou Prefecture’]
[Marginal note — left margin, vertical]
Deadline for submission of receipt:
Immediate
(i.e., within one day of receipt)
[Official seal — lower right corner]
[Red circular seal: characters illegible]
[Handwritten annotation — left side, vertical, in red ink]
Huā (‘Flower’ stamp: indicating official authentication or registration mark)
[Handwritten annotation — upper centre, in pencil]
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