BOXER (Charles R.)
A Aclamacao del Rei D. Joao IV em Goa e em Macau. [The Acclamation of King John IV in Goa and Macau].
Charles Boxer's examination of Spanish rule over Portugal
British historian and spy Charles Boxer (1904-2000) on the important question of the acclamation of the new King after the period of Spanish rule over Portugal.
Joao IV rose to the throne in 1640 and established the House of Braganza. Boxer provides the text of two rare primary sources that demonstrate the political repercussions of his ascension for the colonies of Goa and Macau. He describes the crucial role played by Antonio Fialho Ferreira who travelled via Persia and Dutch East India to Goa and Macau. In his notes, Boxer explains the economic repercussions for Goa, which was already in a state of decline due to a Dutch naval blockade. While the Treaty for The Hague (June 1641) was supposed to stop hostilities between the two nations in order to form an alliance against the Spanish, in practice the Dutch delayed the implementation of the agreement and continued to attack Portuguese possessions in Brazil, Africa and India. While there were large official celebrations in Goa and Macao, both colonies stood to loose financially due to their lucrative commercial ties to Spanish Manila.
There is a discrepancy between the date on the title (1932) and the date on the wrapper (1934). This is because Charles Boxer resided in Japan from March 1930 until December 1932, working as a Language Officer affiliated to the Japanese army. Afterwards he spent time travelling in the Dutch Wast Indies before returning to England in July 1933 where he became affiliated to the Intelligence Division of the British War Office. It appears that publishing of the essay was delayed because Boxer could only attend to the publication upon his return and communications with the printer turned out to be protracted. The cover was only printed in 1934 and the book was released in that year.
Rare. Only 8 copies in OCLC.
