Description:

(MACAU - PORTUGUESE MISSIONARY) JOSE ESPINHA
JOSE ESPINHA (1722 - 1788) Portuguese missionary in China, the self-styled vicar to the Bishop of Macao; also served as geographer to the Court of Emperor Qienlong. An early handwritten copy of a letter from him, 1p., folio, circa 1775, addressed to the Chinese authorities. Argues against a proposal by fellow missionary, Hsiang Ping-jen, who had suggested to change the system by which imperial funds were allocated to each of the four congregations separately, to a system by which the total sum of the funds to be divided equally among the missionaries on an individual basis. Espinha makes several arguments against such a change, and in doing so offers details about the financial organization of the congregations. Qienlong (1711-99) was the sixth Emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. Written in Chinese, on rice paper. Split horizontal fold and other tears. Neatly penned. This was very likely a retained copy kept for Espinhha's reference, or a contemporary copy sent to missionaries or other concerned parties present at the time.

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November 17, 2016 11:00 AM EST
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