清代典史研究——以《南部档案》为中心

A Research of the Jail Warden in the Qing Dynasty Based on the Archives of South China

典史是县首领官,是知县的重要助手。关于清代典史的出身、任期、收入等问题史书都语焉未详,做一探讨实有必要。从《南部档案》的有关记载来看,南部县典史并未完全遵循清政府的规定。南部县典史还具有代理正印官、受理词讼、打击经济犯罪、稽查盐井等新职能,反映出地方行政因地制宜的灵活性,为深入认识清代国家权力对地方基层社会的渗透情况,提供了有益的历史借鉴。

In the old days,the jail warden,the important assistant to the magistrate,was also a chief officer of the county.However,no clear information can be found concerning the family background requirements for the jail warden and their tenure and income.According to the Archives of South China,the regulations regarding the jail warden established by the Qing government were not completely followed in the south of China,and the jail warden in the counties of the past south China could perform other functions,such as acting as the local magistrate,dealing with lawsuits,fighting economic crimes and inspecting salt wells and so forth,which reflected clearly the flexibility of local administration.Therefore,the Archives of South China provides a useful historical reference for a deeper understanding of the penetration of state power in grass-roots society in Qing Dynasty.