| Note |
Imperial decree in which Emperor Kangxi inquires after four Jesuits he sent to Rome between 1706 and 1708, at the time of the Chinese Rites Controversy, and who had not returned to China. This document was sent to Canton to be given to foreigners who arrived there, asking for the fate of the four Jesuits.
The decree is printed in three languages (Latin, Chinese and Manchu), in vermilion ink, with a border of five-clawed dragons used for proclamations of the Emperor. Beginning of the Chinese text: “武英殿等處監修書官伊都立王道化趙昌等字寄與自西洋來的衆人我等僅遵.” Beginning of the Latin text: “Nos Ytoury, Voamtaohoa, Tchaotcham, Aulæ Ouintien, et ejusmodi, ubi libri conficiuntur. Locorum Mandarini, obedientes reverenter Imperatoris mandato, ad omnes qui ex Europa appulerunt, scribimus.” Beginning of the Manchu text: “U ing diyan i jergi ba i bithe weilere ba i hafan iduri , wang doo hûwa joojang sei bithe , si yang qi jihe urse de bireme jasiha.”
The text in Latin is signed by all missionaries resident in Beijing at that time (names and orders given as they appear on the document): Kilianus Stumpf Soc Jesu, Dominicus Parrenin SocJ:, Joseph Baudinus S.J., Petr. Vinc. De Tartre S.J., Frantz Stadtlin S.J., Mathaus Ripa Mys Aptious Sac.Cong.Prop.Fide, Josephus Suares S.J., Petrus Jartoux Soc:J., Jacobus Brocard S.J., Joachimus Bouvet Soc.J., Tranc. Cardoso Soc.J., Joseph da Costa S.J., Theodor s Pedrini M.A., Joan. Franc. Foucquet, S.J., Johannes J Mourao S.J., Joseph Castiglione S.J.
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