Ofício do magistrado do distrito de Xiangshan, Yang, ao procurador de Macau, sobre a compra de rapé
This is a Qing dynasty imperial edict issued in the seventh month of the forty-second year of the Qianlong reign (1777), bearing the red square seal ‘Qianlong 42nd year, seventh month’ and authenticated by the red circular imperial character *Yù* (‘Imperial Command’). The document originates from Xi...
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| Format: | Manuscripts |
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| Published: |
1777-08-08
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| Online Access: | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/MKPXW8SF/viewer_MKPXW8SF.html |
| Summary: | This is a Qing dynasty imperial edict issued in the seventh month of the forty-second year of the Qianlong reign (1777), bearing the red square seal ‘Qianlong 42nd year, seventh month’ and authenticated by the red circular imperial character *Yù* (‘Imperial Command’). The document originates from Xiangshan County and bears the red seal of its magistrate, Yang, and the National Archive of Torre do Tombo. Addressed to foreign community leaders known as *yimu*—specifically Portuguese merchants operating from Macau—the edict concerns the regulation of snuff imports arriving via vessels from the ‘Lesser Western Ocean’. It mandates that all such merchants must fully disclose quantities of snuff brought to Macau and report them formally to Chinese authorities, who retain the right to set purchase prices and procure consignments under tribute protocols. The text identifies breaches involving collusion between foreign merchants and local traders, evasion of the required journey to the provincial capital, and illicit sale of concealed cargo. In response, the Provincial High Commissioner has issued a confidential directive authorising discreet investigations by specially appointed officials and public proclamations to enforce compliance. Violators face prosecution and severe punishment under Qing law; the edict grants temporary leniency but commands immediate and strict adherence to the stipulated procedures. Marginalia—including inventory codes (T56, 951, V444), a red checkmark, and the circled annotation ‘Violation—strict observance—prompt execution’—attest to its archival handling and administrative urgency. |
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