1952 Min Chih Tang “Chinese Democratic Party” Society in Matanzas, Cuba Signed Financial Documents

On offer is an example of the administrative documentation associated with the Min Chih Tang Chinese association located in Matanzas, Cuba. 

Min Chih Tang is one of many groups founded in Cuba by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century, stemming from the “underground fraternities” founded in China in the late 18th century, with goals to overthrow the Manchu (Qing) rule and reinstate the Ming Dynasty. These organizations operated as secret brotherhoods, and eventually branched out from southern China to create large transnational networks in places with large numbers of Chinese diaspora. There was a very large population of Chinese immigrants in Cuba due largely to the Chinese coolie trade, which brought over 125,000 Chinese people to Cuba between 1847-1874 to work as indentured labourers, often alongside African slaves. Another major period of Chinese emigration to Cuba was after World War One when another 120,000 Chinese came to Cuba to fill Cuban labour gaps, and in the 1940s-50s when Chinese people fled the Kuomingtan-Communist war, which led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. 

This particular document is related to the annual accounting of the society/democratic party in 1952. It contains two pages. The first page is on Min Chih Tang letterhead, being a typewritten accounting for each month of the calendar year. It is signed in ink by president Bernito Luis and Treasurer Manuel Luis. The second page, stapled to the first, is on the letterhead of the Government of Matanzas, dated March 9, 1954. It is an acknowledgement to Vincento Wo of Min Chih Tang, indicating that the government received the financial accounting and that a two peso payment to Matanzas is required. This page is fully typewritten, with a typed signature of Carlos Pozon Santamarina, Secretary of the Administration.

Taken together, these documents provide insight into the workings of the Chinese society in Cuba as well as its relationship to the provincial government at the time. A valuable piece of both Chinese and Cuban history. 

This two page document measures approx 8x11 inches. It is typed with ink signatures on the first page. Two pages with content on the recto of each. Age toning, bends and folds, no tears. Legible. Overall VG. 

Reference: 

Tsang, M.A. (n.d.). A Chinese-Cuban Secret Society in Havana. Retrieved from: UM News Special Report Cuba and the Caribbean