Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor
This archival document is an official Qing dynasty administrative memorandum, dated 27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791), with supplementary annotations and marginalia extending into early 1792, including a dated entry of 25 March 1792. Issued by the Office of the Pacification Comm...
Saved in:
| Format: | Manuscripts |
|---|---|
| Published: |
1792-03-29
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/W3X5A5UW/viewer_W3X5A5UW.html |
| _version_ | 1877197618587631616 |
|---|---|
| archiveLocation | PT/TT/DCHN/1/2/000108 |
| building | Portugal. Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo |
| collection | Portugal. Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo |
| description | This archival document is an official Qing dynasty administrative memorandum, dated 27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791), with supplementary annotations and marginalia extending into early 1792, including a dated entry of 25 March 1792. Issued by the Office of the Pacification Commissioner for Military and Civil Affairs, it addresses the theft and recovery of imperial silks—specifically hanfu duan (imperial satin), si juan (silk gauze), da hua duan (large-flowered damask), and bao lan duan (precious indigo-dyed damask)—reported lost by Portuguese residents in Macau, referred to in the text as ‘Triangular-Cap’ foreigners. The document records correspondence with Viletochi, identified as an Indigenous headman, and concerns the contested restitution of seized goods, including yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn (dark-blue satin), bǎo lán duàn (precious-blue satin), and bái juān (white silk gauze). It details procedural responses from prefectural authorities, including conditional release of verified items, retention of disputed articles pending interrogation, and formal mandates directed at a foreign headman (yí mù). Marginalia reference the fifty-second year of the Qianlong reign, archival identifiers (T108), and a red seal impression. The text reflects Qing bureaucratic protocols governing cross-cultural commercial disputes, evidentiary standards, and colonial-era Sino-Portuguese interactions in southern China. |
| first_indexed | 2026-05-17T07:58:59Z |
| format | Manuscripts |
| fulltext | [transcription]
{{PAGE:1}}
[Main text]
De Mandarim de Casa-branca.
25. da lua 2. de 1792.
Sobre os panos de Han-fu
Rio de Macau, capitão.
torna em dual Chapu.
reprehende ao escravo di-
nico esperamente. 25. de
Marco de 1792.
[Marginalia — right]
五十二年二月
夷人信領賜
[Marginalia — left]
5-11
1792
T108
二月廿十日
{{PAGE:2}}
[Stamp — top right]
[Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged]
[Main text]
署軍民府許
諭夷目唩唻多知
悉現據該夷目稟稱原據三角帽
夷人信稱被失漢府緞八疋絲絹八
疋大花緞四疋寶藍緞二疋茲蒙訊追
{{PAGE:3}}
起獲各贓多有不符，誠恐該夷當
日開行迫速，未及檢點清楚。今該夷
往趨未回，無憑查問，懇將贓物給領，貯
在亭上，俯俟該夷回帆之日查明另
{{PAGE:4}}
行禀拘究追給領等情到府。據此，當
批：贓物既與原報不符，該夷目又無憑
查對，恐該犯等另有別案偷竊，未便擅
領。姑將相符物件暫行給領，餘俟再訊。
{{PAGE:5}}
可也在案查本案先經起獲元青漢
府緞三疋寶藍緞一疋白絹二疋續起
元青漢府緞二疋查與原報相符合
就給發諭到該夷目即便遵照將
{{PAGE:6}}
[Main text]
起獲前項緞疋絲絹等物備具領狀鑒
本署府以凭將贓物賫發給領毋違
特諭
{{PAGE:7}}
[Stamp — center]
[Red rectangular seal with dense, illegible seal script characters]
[Main text]
乾隆五十六年二月
廿七日諭
[translation]
{{PAGE:1}}
From the Mandarin of Casa Branca
25th day of the second lunar month, 1792
Regarding the silks from Hangfu
Commander of Macau River.
Returns to dual Chapu.
Severely reprimands the enslaved man Dinico.
25 March 1792.
[Marginalia — right]
Fifty-second year of the Qianlong reign, second lunar month
‘Barbarian’ (i.e., foreign) letter received and acknowledged
[Marginalia — left]
5–11
1792
T108
Twentieth day of the second lunar month
{{PAGE:2}}
[Stamp — top right]
[Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged]
[Main text]
Office of the Pacification Commissioner for Military and Civil Affairs
To the Indigenous Headman, Viletochi,
Be it known that the said headman has submitted a petition stating that, according to reports received from the ‘Triangular-Cap’ foreigners (a historical designation for Portuguese residents in Macau, referring to their distinctive headgear), eight bolts of imperial satin (hanfu duan), eight bolts of silk gauze (si juan), four bolts of large-flowered damask (da hua duan), and two bolts of precious indigo-dyed damask (bao lan duan) have been lost. The matter is now under official inquiry and recovery proceedings.
{{PAGE:3}}
The recovered stolen goods were found to contain numerous discrepancies; it is indeed possible that the said foreigner, having departed in haste on that day, failed to conduct a thorough inspection prior to sailing. As the said foreigner has since departed and has not yet returned, no inquiry can presently be made. We therefore respectfully request that the confiscated goods be released to him and temporarily stored in the pavilion, pending his return, at which time a full verification and separate accounting may be undertaken.
{{PAGE:4}}
A memorial was submitted to the prefectural authorities, requesting the arrest and interrogation of the accused, as well as the restitution of confiscated goods and their delivery to the claimants.
Upon receipt of this submission, the Prefect issued the following endorsement:
‘The seized goods do not correspond with those originally reported; moreover, the foreign headman (yí mù) concerned lacks verifiable credentials or documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. There is therefore reason to suspect that the accused may have committed additional thefts in other cases, and it would be inappropriate to authorise immediate restitution without further due process. Accordingly, only those items whose description matches the original report shall provisionally be released to the claimants; all remaining disputed articles are to be retained pending further investigation and interrogation.’
{{PAGE:5}}
The case file also records that, initially, the following items were seized: three bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn), one bolt of precious-blue satin (bǎo lán duàn), and two bolts of white silk gauze (bái juān). Subsequently, a further two bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn) were recovered. These latter items have been verified as consistent with the original inventory report.
Accordingly, an official mandate has been issued to the relevant foreign headman (yí mù), instructing him to comply immediately and without delay.
{{PAGE:6}}
[Main text]
A receipt acknowledging the seizure of the aforementioned silks and brocades, etc., is hereby provided for verification.
This office hereby authorises the conveyance and formal delivery of the confiscated goods to the designated recipient; this instruction is to be strictly observed.
By order.
{{PAGE:7}}
[Stamp — centred]
[Red rectangular seal bearing dense, illegible seal-script characters]
[Main text]
27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791) |
| fulltext_transcription | {{PAGE:1}}
[Main text]
De Mandarim de Casa-branca.
25. da lua 2. de 1792.
Sobre os panos de Han-fu
Rio de Macau, capitão.
torna em dual Chapu.
reprehende ao escravo di-
nico esperamente. 25. de
Marco de 1792.
[Marginalia — right]
五十二年二月
夷人信領賜
[Marginalia — left]
5-11
1792
T108
二月廿十日
{{PAGE:2}}
[Stamp — top right]
[Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged]
[Main text]
署軍民府許
諭夷目唩唻多知
悉現據該夷目稟稱原據三角帽
夷人信稱被失漢府緞八疋絲絹八
疋大花緞四疋寶藍緞二疋茲蒙訊追
{{PAGE:3}}
起獲各贓多有不符，誠恐該夷當
日開行迫速，未及檢點清楚。今該夷
往趨未回，無憑查問，懇將贓物給領，貯
在亭上，俯俟該夷回帆之日查明另
{{PAGE:4}}
行禀拘究追給領等情到府。據此，當
批：贓物既與原報不符，該夷目又無憑
查對，恐該犯等另有別案偷竊，未便擅
領。姑將相符物件暫行給領，餘俟再訊。
{{PAGE:5}}
可也在案查本案先經起獲元青漢
府緞三疋寶藍緞一疋白絹二疋續起
元青漢府緞二疋查與原報相符合
就給發諭到該夷目即便遵照將
{{PAGE:6}}
[Main text]
起獲前項緞疋絲絹等物備具領狀鑒
本署府以凭將贓物賫發給領毋違
特諭
{{PAGE:7}}
[Stamp — center]
[Red rectangular seal with dense, illegible seal script characters]
[Main text]
乾隆五十六年二月
廿七日諭 |
| fulltext_translation | {{PAGE:1}}
From the Mandarin of Casa Branca
25th day of the second lunar month, 1792
Regarding the silks from Hangfu
Commander of Macau River.
Returns to dual Chapu.
Severely reprimands the enslaved man Dinico.
25 March 1792.
[Marginalia — right]
Fifty-second year of the Qianlong reign, second lunar month
‘Barbarian’ (i.e., foreign) letter received and acknowledged
[Marginalia — left]
5–11
1792
T108
Twentieth day of the second lunar month
{{PAGE:2}}
[Stamp — top right]
[Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged]
[Main text]
Office of the Pacification Commissioner for Military and Civil Affairs
To the Indigenous Headman, Viletochi,
Be it known that the said headman has submitted a petition stating that, according to reports received from the ‘Triangular-Cap’ foreigners (a historical designation for Portuguese residents in Macau, referring to their distinctive headgear), eight bolts of imperial satin (hanfu duan), eight bolts of silk gauze (si juan), four bolts of large-flowered damask (da hua duan), and two bolts of precious indigo-dyed damask (bao lan duan) have been lost. The matter is now under official inquiry and recovery proceedings.
{{PAGE:3}}
The recovered stolen goods were found to contain numerous discrepancies; it is indeed possible that the said foreigner, having departed in haste on that day, failed to conduct a thorough inspection prior to sailing. As the said foreigner has since departed and has not yet returned, no inquiry can presently be made. We therefore respectfully request that the confiscated goods be released to him and temporarily stored in the pavilion, pending his return, at which time a full verification and separate accounting may be undertaken.
{{PAGE:4}}
A memorial was submitted to the prefectural authorities, requesting the arrest and interrogation of the accused, as well as the restitution of confiscated goods and their delivery to the claimants.
Upon receipt of this submission, the Prefect issued the following endorsement:
‘The seized goods do not correspond with those originally reported; moreover, the foreign headman (yí mù) concerned lacks verifiable credentials or documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. There is therefore reason to suspect that the accused may have committed additional thefts in other cases, and it would be inappropriate to authorise immediate restitution without further due process. Accordingly, only those items whose description matches the original report shall provisionally be released to the claimants; all remaining disputed articles are to be retained pending further investigation and interrogation.’
{{PAGE:5}}
The case file also records that, initially, the following items were seized: three bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn), one bolt of precious-blue satin (bǎo lán duàn), and two bolts of white silk gauze (bái juān). Subsequently, a further two bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn) were recovered. These latter items have been verified as consistent with the original inventory report.
Accordingly, an official mandate has been issued to the relevant foreign headman (yí mù), instructing him to comply immediately and without delay.
{{PAGE:6}}
[Main text]
A receipt acknowledging the seizure of the aforementioned silks and brocades, etc., is hereby provided for verification.
This office hereby authorises the conveyance and formal delivery of the confiscated goods to the designated recipient; this instruction is to be strictly observed.
By order.
{{PAGE:7}}
[Stamp — centred]
[Red rectangular seal bearing dense, illegible seal-script characters]
[Main text]
27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791) |
| genre | Manuscripts |
| genre_facet | Manuscripts |
| hierarchy_browse | Chapas Sínicas{{{_ID_}}}zotero-coll-6E6PR22G Maço 2{{{_ID_}}}zotero-coll-L8SIPB5W |
| hierarchy_parent_id | zotero-coll-6E6PR22G zotero-coll-L8SIPB5W |
| hierarchy_parent_title | Chapas Sínicas Maço 2 |
| hierarchy_sequence | 0000 0000 |
| hierarchy_top_id | zotero-coll-WX87PJHD zotero-coll-WX87PJHD |
| hierarchy_top_title | News News |
| hierarchytype | Default |
| id | zotero-W3X5A5UW |
| institution | zotero_group |
| last_indexed | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
| latest_content_date | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
| publishDate | 1792-03-29 |
| publishDateRange | 1792 |
| publishDateSort | 1792 |
| record_format | zotero |
| spelling | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor This archival document is an official Qing dynasty administrative memorandum, dated 27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791), with supplementary annotations and marginalia extending into early 1792, including a dated entry of 25 March 1792. Issued by the Office of the Pacification Commissioner for Military and Civil Affairs, it addresses the theft and recovery of imperial silks—specifically hanfu duan (imperial satin), si juan (silk gauze), da hua duan (large-flowered damask), and bao lan duan (precious indigo-dyed damask)—reported lost by Portuguese residents in Macau, referred to in the text as ‘Triangular-Cap’ foreigners. The document records correspondence with Viletochi, identified as an Indigenous headman, and concerns the contested restitution of seized goods, including yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn (dark-blue satin), bǎo lán duàn (precious-blue satin), and bái juān (white silk gauze). It details procedural responses from prefectural authorities, including conditional release of verified items, retention of disputed articles pending interrogation, and formal mandates directed at a foreign headman (yí mù). Marginalia reference the fifty-second year of the Qianlong reign, archival identifiers (T108), and a red seal impression. The text reflects Qing bureaucratic protocols governing cross-cultural commercial disputes, evidentiary standards, and colonial-era Sino-Portuguese interactions in southern China. Manuscripts Portugal. Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo PT/TT/DCHN/1/2/000108 1792-03-29 Imperial silk theft Macau Portuguese residents Pacification Commissioner Office Qing dynasty administrative memorandum Viletochi Yi Mu bao lan duan cross-cultural evidentiary standards da hua duan hanfu duan si juan {{PAGE:1}} [Main text] De Mandarim de Casa-branca. 25. da lua 2. de 1792. Sobre os panos de Han-fu Rio de Macau, capitão. torna em dual Chapu. reprehende ao escravo di- nico esperamente. 25. de Marco de 1792. [Marginalia — right] 五十二年二月 夷人信領賜 [Marginalia — left] 5-11 1792 T108 二月廿十日 {{PAGE:2}} [Stamp — top right] [Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged] [Main text] 署軍民府許 諭夷目唩唻多知 悉現據該夷目稟稱原據三角帽 夷人信稱被失漢府緞八疋絲絹八 疋大花緞四疋寶藍緞二疋茲蒙訊追 {{PAGE:3}} 起獲各贓多有不符，誠恐該夷當 日開行迫速，未及檢點清楚。今該夷 往趨未回，無憑查問，懇將贓物給領，貯 在亭上，俯俟該夷回帆之日查明另 {{PAGE:4}} 行禀拘究追給領等情到府。據此，當 批：贓物既與原報不符，該夷目又無憑 查對，恐該犯等另有別案偷竊，未便擅 領。姑將相符物件暫行給領，餘俟再訊。 {{PAGE:5}} 可也在案查本案先經起獲元青漢 府緞三疋寶藍緞一疋白絹二疋續起 元青漢府緞二疋查與原報相符合 就給發諭到該夷目即便遵照將 {{PAGE:6}} [Main text] 起獲前項緞疋絲絹等物備具領狀鑒 本署府以凭將贓物賫發給領毋違 特諭 {{PAGE:7}} [Stamp — center] [Red rectangular seal with dense, illegible seal script characters] [Main text] 乾隆五十六年二月 廿七日諭 {{PAGE:1}} From the Mandarin of Casa Branca 25th day of the second lunar month, 1792 Regarding the silks from Hangfu Commander of Macau River. Returns to dual Chapu. Severely reprimands the enslaved man Dinico. 25 March 1792. [Marginalia — right] Fifty-second year of the Qianlong reign, second lunar month ‘Barbarian’ (i.e., foreign) letter received and acknowledged [Marginalia — left] 5–11 1792 T108 Twentieth day of the second lunar month {{PAGE:2}} [Stamp — top right] [Red seal: illegible characters, partially damaged] [Main text] Office of the Pacification Commissioner for Military and Civil Affairs To the Indigenous Headman, Viletochi, Be it known that the said headman has submitted a petition stating that, according to reports received from the ‘Triangular-Cap’ foreigners (a historical designation for Portuguese residents in Macau, referring to their distinctive headgear), eight bolts of imperial satin (hanfu duan), eight bolts of silk gauze (si juan), four bolts of large-flowered damask (da hua duan), and two bolts of precious indigo-dyed damask (bao lan duan) have been lost. The matter is now under official inquiry and recovery proceedings. {{PAGE:3}} The recovered stolen goods were found to contain numerous discrepancies; it is indeed possible that the said foreigner, having departed in haste on that day, failed to conduct a thorough inspection prior to sailing. As the said foreigner has since departed and has not yet returned, no inquiry can presently be made. We therefore respectfully request that the confiscated goods be released to him and temporarily stored in the pavilion, pending his return, at which time a full verification and separate accounting may be undertaken. {{PAGE:4}} A memorial was submitted to the prefectural authorities, requesting the arrest and interrogation of the accused, as well as the restitution of confiscated goods and their delivery to the claimants. Upon receipt of this submission, the Prefect issued the following endorsement: ‘The seized goods do not correspond with those originally reported; moreover, the foreign headman (yí mù) concerned lacks verifiable credentials or documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. There is therefore reason to suspect that the accused may have committed additional thefts in other cases, and it would be inappropriate to authorise immediate restitution without further due process. Accordingly, only those items whose description matches the original report shall provisionally be released to the claimants; all remaining disputed articles are to be retained pending further investigation and interrogation.’ {{PAGE:5}} The case file also records that, initially, the following items were seized: three bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn), one bolt of precious-blue satin (bǎo lán duàn), and two bolts of white silk gauze (bái juān). Subsequently, a further two bolts of dark-blue satin (yuánqīng hàn fǔ duàn) were recovered. These latter items have been verified as consistent with the original inventory report. Accordingly, an official mandate has been issued to the relevant foreign headman (yí mù), instructing him to comply immediately and without delay. {{PAGE:6}} [Main text] A receipt acknowledging the seizure of the aforementioned silks and brocades, etc., is hereby provided for verification. This office hereby authorises the conveyance and formal delivery of the confiscated goods to the designated recipient; this instruction is to be strictly observed. By order. {{PAGE:7}} [Stamp — centred] [Red rectangular seal bearing dense, illegible seal-script characters] [Main text] 27th day of the second lunar month, Qianlong 56 (1791) |
| spellingShingle | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor Imperial silk theft Macau Portuguese residents Pacification Commissioner Office Qing dynasty administrative memorandum Viletochi Yi Mu bao lan duan cross-cultural evidentiary standards da hua duan hanfu duan si juan |
| title | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_autocomplete | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_full | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_fullStr | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_short | Ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de Macau, Xu, ao procurador de Macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores Liu Jin-Yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de Macau a Timor |
| title_sort | ofício do mandarim substituto sub-prefeito de macau, xu, ao procurador de macau, sobre o furto de mercadorias a um comerciante, praticado pelos carregadores liu jin-yi e outros, ocorrido num navio de macau a timor |
| topic | Imperial silk theft Macau Portuguese residents Pacification Commissioner Office Qing dynasty administrative memorandum Viletochi Yi Mu bao lan duan cross-cultural evidentiary standards da hua duan hanfu duan si juan |
| topic_autocomplete | Imperial silk theft Macau Portuguese residents Pacification Commissioner Office Qing dynasty administrative memorandum Viletochi Yi Mu bao lan duan cross-cultural evidentiary standards da hua duan hanfu duan si juan |
| topic_facet | Imperial silk theft Macau Portuguese residents Pacification Commissioner Office Qing dynasty administrative memorandum Viletochi Yi Mu bao lan duan cross-cultural evidentiary standards da hua duan hanfu duan si juan |
| url | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/W3X5A5UW/viewer_W3X5A5UW.html |
| zotero_collection_key | 6E6PR22G L8SIPB5W |