清代重庆公估局与地方商贸秩序

The Public Assessment Bureau for the Precious Silver and the Local Trade Order of Chongqing in the Qing Dynasty

清中后期,重庆民间白银的使用量增加。假银泛滥、银两成色不统一的现象屡见不鲜,不仅有碍商家的经营且易导致商家和民众的利益受损。主导重庆商贸秩序的八省客长推动成立白银公估局,并对公估局的运作流程、职责进行了规范。公估局的成立有助于维持正常的商贸秩序,体现了局绅主导的公局在地方公共事务中的积极作用。

In the middle and late Qing dynasty,with the prosperity of commerce and trade in Chongqing and the increased use of private silver,it is common to see the phenomenon of the proliferation of counterfeit silver and the disunity of the silver color,which not only hinders the business operation,but also easily causes the interests of businesses and the public to be damaged.The eight provincial leaders who dominated Chongqing’s business order promoted the establishment of the public assessment bureau for the precious silver and standardized its operation process and responsibilities.The establishment of the public assessment bureau for the precious silver of Chongqing in the Qing dynasty was helpful to maintain the normal order of commerce and trade,which reflected the positive role of the public bureau dominated by local gentry in the local public affairs.