Lot 942

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Description:

(CHINA) CHINESE MERCHANTS SUE THE FRENCH EAST INDIA COMPANY TO RECOVER LOAN
An important archive of three documents, all related to the efforts of two members of the Canton "cohong" ("merchant''s guild"), named Quoyka and Kiouka, to recover money lent to commissary agents of the French East India Company. The funds were invested in cargo aboard the French ship "Constitution", which was impounded by the British at St. Helena on July 19, 1794, shortly after the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars. The archive includes: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. 4to., Canton, Dec. 1794, Quoyka appoints Charles Herries, Joseph Nailor, and James Drummond as his attorneys. Quoyka signs in Chinese characters, and adds his red ink "chop". The document is countersigned by James Drummond and Henry Browne, chief officer of the British East India Company at Canton. WITH: Manuscript L.S. from Quoyka in the hand of a copyist, 4pp. 4to., Canton, Jan 14, 1795, to Charles Herries and Co., a cover letter for the above power of attorney, and also informing the company that Drummond has loaned Quoyka a sum of money to cover the shortfall caused by the loss of funds in question. The letter is signed by Quoyka in Chinese characters, adding his "chop", and is again countersigned by henry Browne. WITH: Partly-printed D.S., 1p. oblong 8vo., London, Aug. 30, 1793, a notice of an action entered in the Lord Mayor''s Court, London, against the "... commissaries administering the affairs of the late French East India Company defendants ...", signed by John Turnwall, Sergeant at Arms and Richard Williams, attorney for the plaintiff. All bear original folds, else very good. This is an extremely early case of Chinese citizens challenging Europeans in a European court, very possibly the first case of its kind.

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May 10, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

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