CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9] — Page 163

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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.

I

have this

day of

Joon of

through the instrumentality of the go-between

to

as a servant, for the sum 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 will be at liberty to change her name, and use her as purchaser). The family of

A servant. An additional proof,

This should be endorsed on back of the first deed of sale.

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become rich, I shall be at liberty to redeem her, on payment of a small sun 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 field 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

moon.

aged

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. R.

a daughter named

of

C.

Form from the "Ka-lui-tai-tsün," Vol. 12.

DEED PLEDGING A SERVANT.

and his wife

aged

to

>

}

the parties executing this deed pledging 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 who undertakes to take her on agency of the go-between

taels in

dollars, and pledge. The principal advanced on this day for the pledge is interest is fixed at

candareens tael

por 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...

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

and under the same conditions as specified in the said deed. This instrument, which is expressly made at the bottom of the deed, is given to

as a proof.

Signed

The party making an instrument at the

bottom of the original deed.

's

Finger mark, go-between.

Signed

Mortgagor.

Signed.

Witness to payment and go-between.

Sigued........

Wife who is a party to the pledging.

H.

Deed of Sale of a Female Servant with power of redemption-endorsement of re-sale.

of mine named

This deed of permanent sale of a daughter is executed by

Being poor, and in werd of money to meet my wants, and having consulted my wife, I wish to offer for sale this daughter

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, 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 at liberty to bring her up, and use her

introduced to

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,

will marry her to a proper person. If

as a servant. When she is growu up,

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 in conjunction with the go-between, it is no concern of

If I, the said

1.

of

Presenting a Girl for money ta he reared and employed as a Servant, with power of redemption.

Village in who have a daughter born to them. She day of

moon of

year, and is named

Being poor, and finding it hard to earn our livelihood, and having consulted together, we wish to present this daughter of ours

This card of presentation is executed by

District, and wife

(the daughter) was born at

hour 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 (840), 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 Sa (30th September, 1881).

Signed

The party executing this card of presentation.

Finger mark, wife.

Signed

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. R.

.......

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