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2336
1861 (25 Jan.) A contract written in French between The Governor of Kwantung and Kwangsi and the French high military
commander, Coupuem des Bois for the purchase of land in Canton. The contract was signed after the second Opium War 1860
and relates to the Treaty of Peking 1860 which stipulates that foreigners have the right to build in China. There is also a reference
to French missionaries being allowed to build churches and that churches confiscated by Chinese authorities should be restored
to the missionaries of French minister based in Canton. It is an important document proving that the French troops had already
reached Canton before the second Opium War. On reverse with 'CORPS D'OCCUPATION/COMMANDANT SUPERIEUR/
CANTON' in red oval chop, bilingual Chinese and French 'COMMISSAIRES ALLIES POUR LE GOUVERNMENT DE
CANTON' frame chop in red, and bilingual Chinese and Manchuria government chop in red frame, with French commander's
signature underneath all those red chops. Center folded, but still a rare document from the second Opium War period. Photo
HK$ 200,000 - 250,000
2336
