Carta do procurador-geral da província do Japão, Pe. António Francisco Cardim, a [D. João IV], rei de Portugal, sobre enviar uma embarcação à China para o restabelecimento do comércio e conservação de Macau
This mid-eighteenth-century Portuguese colonial administrative memorandum, dated 6 December 1741 and preserved in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU_CU_Índia, Cx. 14, D.), concerns strategic and diplomatic efforts to safeguard Macau’s position amid escalating tensions with Spanish authorities in...
Saved in:
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| Format: | Manuscripts |
| Published: |
1642-12-06
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| Subjects: |
Administrative Memorandum
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Annexation Threat
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António Fialho
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Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino
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Castilian Influence
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Count of Atouguia
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Cx 14
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Diplomatic Efforts
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Economic Revitalisation
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Envoys to Lisbon
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Failed Diplomacy
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Historical Documents
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Intra-Imperial Rivalry
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Keyword Refinement
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Macau
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Manila
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Marquis of Fontes
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Military Reinforcement
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Naval Presence
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Portuguese Colonial Administration
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Portuguese Crown
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Royal Sovereignty
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Smuggling Risk
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Southeast Asia
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Strategic Safeguarding
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Manuscripts
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| Online Access: | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/SZ3Z2IQN/viewer_SZ3Z2IQN.html |
| Summary: | This mid-eighteenth-century Portuguese colonial administrative memorandum, dated 6 December 1741 and preserved in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU_CU_Índia, Cx. 14, D.), concerns strategic and diplomatic efforts to safeguard Macau’s position amid escalating tensions with Spanish authorities in Manila. Addressed to the Portuguese Crown, the document details a memorial submitted to the Count of Atouguia, Minister of State for John of India, urging urgent military and political support for Macau to counter Castilian influence. It references intelligence from Macau and Goa indicating substantial annual shipments through Manila under Spanish protection, raising fears of Portuguese smuggling and potential annexation by the King of Castile. The text records failed diplomatic initiatives, including correspondence routed via England involving António Fialho Francisco and the Marquis of Fontes in Boston, as well as constraints imposed by regional suspicion and intra-imperial rivalry. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of dispatching authoritative envoys from Lisbon to reinforce royal sovereignty, particularly through economic revitalisation and naval presence, while addressing internal obstacles within the Junta. Mention is made of key figures such as Mapeta Jant and Jacobo Fialho, alongside allusions to Hofuku and Chinchai, reflecting complex trans-regional networks in maritime East Asia. Seals of the Ministério da Marinha e do Comércio and archival markings confirm its provenance within formal state correspondence. This document provides critical insight into Portugal’s defensive colonial diplomacy, imperial competition, and the precarious autonomy of Macau within the Estado da Índia framework during the 1740s. Obs.: Despacho régio para que se consulte o Conselho da Fazenda. Anexa uma cópia desta carta Anexos: 1643-01-10 - Despacho ao provedor dos armazéns sobre a relação de pessoas aptas para capitão do navio a enviar à China. 1643-02-04 - Carta do procurador-geral da província do Japão, Pe. António Francisco Cardim, sobre a relação de pessoas que devem seguir viagem para a China e data da partida mais conveniente. [s.d.] - Consulta (minuta) do Conselho da Fazenda sobre o envio de uma embarcação à China, para restabelecimento do comércio e conservação de Macau. |
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