Leiden University Libraries Digital Collections

Chinese letter by the Sifeng shizi (heir succeeding the fief, the title which Zheng Chenggong's son Zheng Jing gave himself on 30 June 1662), addressed to the Admiral (chuhaiwang) Xiao Yaun (?) from Holland, probably Balthasar Bort (1626-1684), dated the 8th day of the 12th month. No year is mentioned, but this date corresponds with 23 January 1664.
The letter is written on Chinese paper folded into ten sections with a width of approximately 11.5 cm each. The first and last section, serving as covers, show a faintly visible ornament with rocks, dragon and sun, possibly applied in stencil technique. On the first section is a large red seal, with the text: Zhaotao da jiangjun yin, 'Seal of the Field Marshal of the Punitive Expedition'. This title was conferred on Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) in 1646 by the Southern Ming prince Zhu Yujian. Sections 2-7 with 4 columns of text, section 8 only 2 columns, section 9-10 without text.
Added is a list of presents on a seperate sheet, with 4 lines of Chinese text written in bold characters, which accompanied the letter, with an explanatory note by J.J. Hoffmann attached to its back. Also added is old wrapping material with the number 230, which corresponds with the alternative number system in P. de Jong's 1862 catalogue.
A Dutch translation and analysis of the letter by J.J. Hoffmann can be found in ms. BPL 2186 P. Another Dutch translation and analysis by De Grijs, with a copy of the Chinese text without the seals and another copy by De Grijs, are in ms. BPL 1780: 1 C-F.
Part of a small collection within the KNAW Oriental manuscripts collection (together with mss. Acad. 228 (1), (2) and (4)) of four letters on paper in different languages, all originating from the period during which Johan Maetsuyker (1606-1678) was governor-general of the Dutch East-Indies (1653-1678). Other letters to and from Johan Maetsuyker can be found in ms. Acad. 98.