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Chinese Proclamation

This beautiful proclamation is thought to be the earliest document linking Adelaide’s early Chinese community with their homeland. The proclamation was sent to Adelaide in 1889 in gratitude for money raised by the Chinese Famine Relief Committee. 1010 pounds, 15 shillings & sixpence was raised by a broad cross-section of the community in South Australia after missionaries in China reported heavy flooding, crop failures, and the effect this had on hundreds of thousands of Chinese people. At a public meeting presided over by the Governor, Lord Kintore, prominent Chinese resident Way Lee expressed his thanks for the kindness shown to his countrymen.

The proclamation is made from a sandalwood tablet covered in gesso and gilded in gold leaf. It features embossed birds and foliage, with printed Chinese characters that translate to “Benevolence comes from over the seas. To the members of the Adelaide Committee for raising relief funds for the Jiangsu and Anhwei provinces.” The proclamation also bears the seal and name of Tseng Kuo-Ch’uan, the Imperial Trade Commissioner for the South Seas & Governor-General of the Jiangsu & Anhwei provinces. The proclamation tablet was considered a great honour and was hung in the Adelaide Council Chamber.