16世纪发生在西班牙的一场“印第安斯人”诉讼案——近代早期漂泊到伊比利亚半岛的中国人

Early Migration of the Chinese to Europe: A Litigation in 16^(th)-Century Spain

1572年,一个西班牙名字为"迭戈"的中国人向西班牙法庭申诉说,自己是一名来自西班牙海外领地的"印第安斯人",自西向东经过美洲来到西班牙后,被一个叫莫拉雷斯的人卖为奴隶,因此请求法庭根据相关法律恢复其自由人身份。而奴隶主莫拉雷斯则声称,迭戈来自葡萄牙人的海外殖民地,是自东向西经过非洲而进入西班牙的,因此没有资格获得自由。这场官司前后持续了三年,最后法庭判决迭戈胜诉。不过,根据其他史料,迭戈从中国来到西班牙的真相可能并非如此简单。该案反映了近代早期中国人向西欧漂泊的痛苦经历。同时也表明,中国人自从踏上西欧的第一天开始,就表现出正当谋生、勤劳节俭、爱国爱乡的特征。正是这些特征,构成了世界各地华侨的共同基因,虽然历经劫难,但却生机勃勃,活力四射。

In 1572,a Chinese with a Spanish name,Diego Indio,filed a lawsuit against a slave owner,Morales.Diego Indio claimed that he was an Indio in the Spanish overseas territory and arrived in Spain via Americas travelling from the west to the east.Unfortunately,he was sold as a slave by Morales after his arrival.Accordingly,he appealed to the court for his freedom based on the related law.On the contrary,Morales asserted that Diego Indio was not eligible for freedom because he was from Portuguese colonies and arrived in Spain via Africa travelling from the east to the west.Lasted for three years,this lawsuit was sentenced by the court and Diego won the case.However,according to other historical records,the truth of Diego’s migration from China to Spain may not be as simple as the lawsuit indicated.This case clearly reflects the painful experience of the Chinese drifting from the east to the west in the process of early modern globalization.On the other hand,it demonstrates that the Chinese showed their excellent qualities of decent living,hardworking,and loving of their motherland since the first day they landed on Western Europe.These constitute the common genes of overseas Chinese around the world.The oversea Chinese,having endured many tribulations,still lead a vibrant and energetic life.