以Despatch为中心的海关资料体系

Systematic Historical Materials of Chinese Maritime Customs Service Centering on“Despatch”

前言本文将以学界熟知的各类海关资料(通令、半官函、海关出版品)作为比较对象,一方面呈现总税务司与税务司往返的“Despatch”“Despatch”可以泛指海关内部各类正式公文。例如,海关派驻伦敦办事处发送总税务司的各类文件中也有“Despatch”。本文所论,主要是以粤海关税务司致总税务司的“Despatch”为主。的特点,另一方面指出“Despatch”对于近代中国史研究的重要性。

“Despatch”is the most important component of historical materials belonging to Chinese Maritime Customs Services(CMCS),corresponding between the Inspector General(IG)and Commissioners.Many Chinese Customs Publications were compiled by“despatch”,which rendered us opportunities for the supplement of missing information in reverse.Another feature of the“despatch”is that it constantly reveals the serial numbers of other relevant CMCS documents,such as Circulars from IG as well as official correspondences between the Commissioner and other Departments of CMCS,Chinese officials of local government,Foreign Consuls.We should be capable of realizing the most optimized efficiency for the utilization of the extremely bulky and complicated CMCS documents through“despatch”.Nonetheless,the significance of“despatch”had long been neglected.This paper roots upon thorough comparison between the“despatch”and other CMCS documents,meanwhile reflecting the richness of information which“despatch”could provide,especially those concerning the administration of CMCS and miscellaneous local and regional affairs.