200
14
Endorsement of re-sale of Servant on deed of 24th day of 3rd moon of the 4th year of Tung Chi
(1872.)
This servant together with the (original) deed has this 20th day of the 1st moon of the 2nd year of Kwong Sü (1876) been re-sold to
for the sum of 125 dollars in full weight This instrument, which is expressly as a proof.
and under the same conditions as specified in the said deed. made at the bottom of the deed, is given to
Signed.
The party making an instrument at the
bottom of the original deed.
Finger mark, go-between.
1.
Presenting a Girl for money to be reared and employed as a Servant, with power of redemption.
of
Village in who have a daughter born to them. She
moon of
This card of presentation is executed by
District, and wife (the daughter) was born at is named
hour of
year, and Being poor, and finding it hard to earn our livelihood, and having consulted together, we wish to present this daughter of ours
day of
to
as a servant, who is good enough to pay us the sum of 40 dollars as a compensation for our trouble connected with her birth and rearing. When this girl arrives at womanhood,
will be at liberty to give her in marriage. If any accident should befall her, this will be held to be the will of Heaven, and, we shall have no right to avail ourselves of the opportunity to extort money. 'If we should go back on our word, we must refund the money ($40), and besides pay to
one dollar and fifty cents for her subsistence per month, before the daughter can be taken back by us. We will not gainsay our word. This girl is really the daughter of the husband and wife who give her as a present, and has nothing to do with outsiders. This card of presentation is executed and given as proof.
Dated the 8th day of the 8th moon of the 7th year of Kwong Sü (30th September, 1881).
Signed_
The party executing this card of presentation.
Signed
Finger mark, wife.
Witness.
NOTE. The above translation is that of a document brought by the person who has the child. Of course "this card of presentation" is mere cover for sale. The child is well cared for and is perfectly free.
J.
J. R.
Translation of a bill of sale put forward by a Claimant at the Registrar General's Office, Hongkong, 1882. The names are left out.
I,
native of the Pi Sha of the Tung Kun District do clearly draw up this bond regarding the sale of my daughter. I, being in need of money and having consulted my wife, am willing to sell my second daughter to another family to act as a servant girl, and I have fixed the price at thirty-two dollars exactly. Her name is and she is six years old. She was born on the 2nd day of 2nd moon at Shan, time (6 A.M. to 8 A.M.). She was taken by the go-between to the Shiu family for inspection, who were pleased with her, and at once offered a current price of thirty-two dollars exactly for her for her services as a servant girl. The said family and myself, having thoroughly understood and mutually agreed to the conditions of the bargain, have appointed a day for its completion. My wife and myself have personally received thirty-two dollars exactly for the sale of the daughter. None of the dollars are broken and they are all of full weight. This bargain was publicly made. The girl was not given up in order to sett le a claim nor was she abducted. In case of there being any uncertainty about the origin of the girl, the matter must be settled by the said father
and the go-between
The purchasers have nothing to do with this. I déclare that I must take back the girl and return the money re- ceived for her if she is found to have been already betrothed or is suffering from leprosy. As regards other accidents which may befall her in future, we must all submit to the will of Heaven. We cannot avail of this opportunity to extort money. When she grows to maturity and is married to another family, her father and mother should be notified of it so that they might communicate with her. The masters are at liberty to re-sell her to another family for disobedience. There can be no impe- diment to this. After the sale, the father and mother cannot have frequent intercourse with her without reason.. The masters can give her any other name they please. Both parties have understood and agreed to this in the presence of the go-between. A bond, regarding the sale of the daughter, is drawn up on the same day and handed to the purchasers as a proof.
(Signed)
go-between
(Signed)
J
10th day of 9th moon of the 13th Year of Tung Chi.
(Herewith Finger-mark).
The party making
this Bond.