12
things of the like in respect of the boy. If anything unforeseen happens to the boy, it will be held to be the will of heaven, and no one can gainsay these words. Further, if there should be anything doubtful about the boy's antecedents, this must be cleared up satisfactorily by the vendors and go-between: it is no concern of the buyer. Lest there is no proof of this bargain, this deed of permanent sale of the boy is executed, and handed to Mr. C in evidence thereof.
Received from Mr. C the sum of
dollars as nursing money.
(Signed)
B
Mrs. B
go-between.
Witness.
A
Mrs. A (Finger mark).
Dated
day
moon
year.
13
F.
Form from Vol. 12 of the “Ka-la-tai-tsün” or “Complete Set of Domestic Rites,”
DEED OF RE-SALE OF A SERVANT GIRL.
56
I have this day of
to
as a servant, for the sum of
moon of re-sold this servant girl named taels, standard weight,
year,
as agreed upon in the presence of the three parties. I have, this day, in the presence of the go-between, personally received the money, and the servant girl is to go forthwith to the house (of the purchaser). The family of
will be at liberty to change her name, and use her as
as a servant. An additional proof.
This should be endorsed on back of the first deed of sale.
G.
D.
Copy of the Bill of Sale where the Kaulung Druggist bought a boy who was decoyed from Canton-See page 33 of Blue-book C. 3185 of 1882.
TRANSLATION.
An absolute deed of gift of a male child aged 13 years is executed by Li-piu, a native of Ko Iu. In consequence of want of maintenance, I at first offered (the child) to my nearest relatives to bring (him) up, which offer, however, was not accepted. Through the introduction of a go-between (I was introduced) to one Lan-pak-cheung, who agreed to rear (the child) and to adopt (him) as (his) nephew. This day $28 at 7.1 as ginger money (compensation) is paid over to Li-piu, who has received it with his own hand for his family expenses, and Lan-pak-choung will bring him up and use him (as a nephew). On (the child) being handed over there can for ever be no claim whatever.
There is no compulsion or extortion between both parties. For fear of oral words not being sufficient evidence, (this) deed is therefore executed, and is to be retained (by him or her) as proof hereof,
Witnesses to payment,
WONG SHI
CHAN SHI Finger marks.
KWAN SHI
The boy's age is 13 years, born at 10 A.M. on the 16th day of the 8th month. Dated 24th day of the 2nd moon in the Ki Mo 5th year of Kwong Sü (i.e., 16th March, 1879).
Form from the "Ka-lai-tai-tsün,” Vol. 12.
DEED PLEDGING A SERVANT.
and his wife
aged
to
y
J
the parties executing this deed pledging a daughter named
years, born at
hour of
day moon, who has not yet been betrothed. Being poor and not having enough for our daily wants, and being desirous of pledging our daughter, we have been introduced, through the agency of the go-between
who undertakes to take her on
taels in pledge. The principal advanced on this day for the pledge is
dollars, and interest is fixed at
candareens per tael per mensem.
On the same date, (the daughter) will enter the house (of the person who is going to take her on pledge), and mace will be paid for her maintenance every month. If the principal and interest due are not repaid in the course of a year, (the daughter) will be considered as sold, and cannot be redeemed. In proof hereof, this deed is executed, and handed over (to the person taking the daughter on pledge).
Dated.
Signed......
Signed
Mortgagor.
Witness to payment and go-between.
Signed.
Wife who is a party to the pledging.
H.
E.
Form from Vol. 12 of the Ka-lui-lai-tsün” or “Complete Set of Domestic Rites."
DEED OF SALE OF A SERVANT.
and wife
hour of
of a daughter, have a daughter named been born at
day of
the parties executing this deed of sale who is at present years of age, having
moon. She has not yet been betrothed
to any one. Being poor, and finding it hard to earn our livelihood, and wishing to sell our daughter we have been introduced, through the agency of the go-between
who undertakes to purchase her. The price, which is
to
dollars, has been paid to us this
day, and will be taken to our home to meet our wants. On the same day, the daughter will go over to the house (of the purchaser), who will be at liberty to change her name, use her as a servant, and to betroth her when she is grown-up. If she should abscond, we the said
will co-operate (with the purchaser) in making search for her, and deliver her back (to the purchaser if found). If anything unforeseen should happen to her, such will be held to be the will of Heaven. This is agreed to by both parties. The sum given above is the exact amount paid. This is not a case of giving her up as a set-off against a debt. In future, we cannot avail of any pretext to go back on our words, or redeem her. As a proof (of the transaction), this deed of sale is executed, and handed over (to the purchaser).
Dated
Signed
The party executing this deed of sale of a daughter.
Signed.
Witness to payment and go-between.
Signed
Wife who has taken part in the sale and received the money.
Deed of Sale of a Female Servant with power of redemption-endorsement of re-sale.
This deed of permanent sale of a daughter is executed by
Being poor, and in need of money to meet my wants, and having consulted my wife, I wish to offer for sale this daughter of mine named
and aged
years, that I may meet my wants with the money paid for her. At first, my nearest relatives and neighbours were invited to purchase her, but they would not undertake to do so. She is afterwards, through the agency of the go-between,
introduced to
who undertakes to purchase her, and the price On this day, the deed is executed, the purchase who will take it home with his
is fixed in the presence of three parties at 35 dollars.
completed, and the money paid to me the said wife to meet his wants. After the sale,
as a servant. When she is grown up,
is at liberty to bring her up, and use her will marry her to a proper person. If
anything unforeseen should happen to her, this will be held as the will of Heaven. But if there should be anything doubtful about her antecedents, this will be settled satisfactorily by
If I, the said
in conjunction with the go-between, it is no concern of
become rich, I shall be at liberty to redeem her, on payment of a small sum for her subsistence per month (in addition to the amount paid for her). This is agreed upon in the presence of three parties, and I shall not go back on my word. Lest a verbal agreement be held as insufficient evidence, this deed of sale of the daughter is expressly executed, and given to
as proof.
1. Sold a daughter named
hour of
of
2. Received from
aged
moon.
the sum of
reens each as price of a servant girl.
years and born at
dollars weighing 7 mace 2 canda-
Dated 24th day of 3rd moon of the 11th year of Tung-chi, (1872).
(Signed)
the party executing this deed of selling a
daughter.
's Finger mark (the wife of the above named person).
's Finger mark (go-between and witness to payment).
NOTE--The above translation is that of a document produced by a leading Chinese gentleman,
The names are left out, but otherwise it is the copy of a deed held by him of a purchased girl. She was first sold under this deed at Macao, and then transferred to his family as per endorsement annexed in 1876. She is to be married next month to his valet, and will have a place of her own. The girl is absolutely free.
J. B