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APPENDIX TO REPORT ON CHILD ADOPTION AND DOMESTIC SERVICE AMONGST THE HONGKONG CHINESE.
A.-Form of transfer of a son for adoption, taken from "Book of Domestic Rites." B.--Letter of Instructions to an adopted son, stating how he was adopted. C.-Deed of Sale, in the case of the adoption of a Stranger-in-blood.
D.--Bill of Sale where a boy was decoyed from Canton and sold in Kaulung. The Hawker's case, see page 33 of Blue-book C3185 of 1882, (two women sentenced to 18 months each). E.-Deed of Sale of a daughter as a Servant, from "Book of Domestic Rites." F.-Endorsement of Re-sale of a Servant, from “Book of Domestic Rites."
G.-Deed mortgaging a Daughter as a Servant.
H.-Deed of Sale of a Daughter as Servant, where same girl is transferred to another, endorsement on the same paper.
I. Presentation Card" of a Daughter to be a Servant (Money passes, and the term present is of course only a fiction).
J-Bill of Sale put forward by a Claimant for a Child.
K.-Sale of a grown-up daughter as a concubine from Sir T. Wann's Documentary Series. L.-Ordinance 6 of 1873, with statement of objects and reasons.
M.-Ordinance 2 of 1875, with statement amended.
N.--Notices to Registered Prostitutes, of their freedom on British soil however they may have got there.
O.-Emigration Officer's Notices of photographs required to prevent personation of Women and Children, who have duly passed for Emigration.
P.-Return of Kidnapping cases in Hongkong from 1872 to June 30th, 1883, including sales of women for prostitutes.
-Return of Kidnapping cases in Hongkong from January, 1883, to July, 1883, including sales of women for prostitutes.
R.-Notices on Steamers with view to prevent kidnapping into or from Hongkong.
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B.
Form from Vol. 12 of "Ka-lai-tai-tsün” or “Complete Set of Domestic Rites."
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS REFERRING TO AN ADOPTED SON.
makes this document with a view to giving instructions to an adopted son who is to continue the family line. Being wanting in good deeds and virtuous acts, I, the said
have had no children born to me. In consideration of what an important thing it is to have an heir, I have this day of moon convened a meeting of my nearest relatives to discuss the question of adopting a son, and the said nearest relatives having declined to give any of their sons, although they have several, to be adopted, it is resolved to select a son of a clansman of the same degree of seniority (as myself.) introduces and recommends the second son of
and aged nearest relatives
family named years. He belongs to the same clan, and is of a suitable descent. Moreover
and his wife have several sons, and they and their being adopted by dollars to
are all agreeable to as my son and successor. and wife
I have, this day, paid to be taken home by them as compensation for their trouble of nursing and rearing the boy. This letter of instructions is this day executed, and signed by all (present). After arrives at manhood, with me
has come over to my house, and when he will rest the power of marrying him, so that he may beget offspring by which I may have prosperous descendants. This will be no concern of
In proof thereof, this deed is executed.
Dated.
Signed.
The person making this letter of instructions. Signed
A.
Form from the Vol. 12 of “Ka-lai-tai-tsün” or “Complete Set of Domestic Rites,”
TRANSFER OF A SON FOR ADOPTION.
Nearest relatives,
Signed
Go-between.
Signed.
Witness to the adoption.
Signed
Father giving his son in adoption.
Signed
Mother.
Signed
First son of parents giving son in adoption.
This agreement is drawn up by who has a second son
aged elan, being in want of posterity, selects (this son) to be his son. I and my wife
a junior member of the clan years. A senior member of the
do hereby give our consent to our second son going over to his family to be brought up by his wife in order to continue his family line. I have, this day, in conjunction with my wife, received dollars for nursing my son, who will this day enter the family, and will obey the directions of the senior member and his wife. When he has attained to manhood, he will be married, and his offspring will for ever be considered the descendants of the senior member. The family inheritance is not to be squandered nor wasted in profligacy by him, and no others are to usurp the same under any pretext whatsoever. This is agreed to by both parties. In future, I will neither go back on my word, nor instigate (the son) to rebel, nor to leave (the family of the senior member) with abundance after he came to it empty handed, nor will I depart from what has been agreed on. But my desire is that he may have a continuous line of descendants. In proof whereof, this agreement is drawn up.
Dated
Signed
Transferor of the son.
Signed.
Nearest relatives.
Signed
Go-between.
Signed
Witness to the adoption.
Signed
Wife of the Transferor.
Signed.
Elder brother of the son.
C.
Furnished by the Chairman of Directors of the Tung-wa Hospital, Hongkong- Mr. Li Tak-cheong-July, 1883.
FORM OF DEED OF SALE OF A SON INTO ADOPTION.
Village in on the
A and Mrs. A of District, the parties executing this deed of permanent sale of a son, being unable to support themselves on account of poverty, and having many children, consulted together, and willingly invited people to purchase their (4th) son as an adopted son, The boy is years of age, having been born in day of the moon, and is named (or is not yet named), and they demanded the sum of dollars as nursing money (or ginger and cake money). He (the boy) was, through the agency of the go-between B, introduced to the family of Mr. C, who expressed his willingness to buy him as an adopted son, and consented to pay the full demand of dollars as nursing-money (or ginger and cake money). The bargain, which was settled in the presence of the three parties (A, B, & C), and agreed to by both parties, was satisfactorily made on this date in the presence of all. This is a clear case of purchase and sale, and is not a case of giving the boy as a set-off against debts. After the boy is once sold, Mr. C is permitted to bring him up to manhood, and give him a name. He must remain as Mr. C's adopted son for ever, and when he is grown-up, Mr. C is likewise at liberty to engage a teacher to teach him. If in future, he attains to fame or becomes illustrious, takes a wife or concubine, and has children and grandchildren, all these concern Mr. C's family. May he follow his (adopted) father's trade, and have a never-ending line of descendants! May he henceforth have a numerous progeny and everlastingly enjoy prosperity! Hereafter, the vendors cannot go back on their word, or redeem the boy, who is for ever prevented from taking back his own father's surname. The purchaser, however, is not allowed to make the boy a slave, or to re-sell him to another person, or to do other