Sir,--I have the honour to reply to your letter of the 2^nd instant upon the subject of the formation of a Portuguese Company for service with the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, and in reference thereto I desire to convey to you, and through you to your nationals, an expression of the Council’s appreciation of the motives which have called forth this public spirited proposal on their part.

It will be within your recollection that on more occasions than one in previous years the formation of a Portuguese Company has been undertaken, but that, in each instance, disbandment has followed for reasons which I forbear to recapitulate, but which were considered sufficient by the authorities of the day; and I feel bound to state that serious pecuniary loss accured to the Municipality in consequence.

Under the circumstances therefore, and after consultation with the Officer Commanding the Corps, the Council, before sanctioning a repetition of the experiment, will require certain conditions to be complied with, namely:--

I have the honour to request that you will lay these points before the organizers of the proposed Company, and in the event of their being agreed to as reasonable I venture to express the hope that the unit so formed may not only be a source of satisfaction to the Portuguese residents but a material addition to the defence forces of Shanghai. The enclosure to your despatch, is, as requested, returned herewith.

J.M.T. Valdez, Esq.,

Consul-General for Portugal

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H.M.F.M.’s Consulate-General,

Shanghai, 19 July 1900.

Sir,-I had the honour of addressing you a letter on the 2^nd inst., inclosing (sic) a list signed by 160 of my nationals, who, within the space of a day, after a meeting, came forward, in a very noble way and with great promptitude, to offer their services to the Municipal Council to form themselves into a Volunteer Company with their own organization. To-day I have again the honour to write you on the same subject in reply to your letter of 7^th inst.

I consider it highly commendable that my nationals should persevere in offering to shed their blood in the defence of these international settlements where they live, as well on their wish to follow the example of the German Volunteer Company. Although each nation has its own claim to glory; the example offered by Germany one of the heroic and glorious nations, is worthy of being imitated.

The letter which my nationals request me to send to the Council (a translation of which I enclose) removes, I think, all difficulties, seeing they are willing to be under the word of command of the officer commanding the Volunteer Corps; only the order being transmitted by the Portuguese Officers in their own language in the same manner as the German Company.

The small inconvenience of the Portuguese Company using temporarily rifles of different patterns from those generally adopted by the old Companies, is not a reason to hinder their movement from being useful, as the other new Volunteer Companies have also, I understand, different pattern of rifles. This apparent inconvenience will disappear as soon as they may be able to acquire an uniform pattern of rifles.

Mr. Marques, the Chairman of the Committee, is willing to give any further explanation that may be required, I have, therefore, nothing more to add than that it has adorned me an occasion to render myself as a mediator of an offer which may be useful for the common defence of these international Settlements whose autonomy is being threatened.

E. A. Hewett, Esq.,

Sir,--The Committee entrusted with the organization (sic) of a Company of Portuguese Volunteers in Shanghai have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 9^th inst., covering copy of the Council’s letter to your goodself, under date of the 7^th, in reply to a request made to you by a large number of Portuguese residents in Shanghai, for the organisation (sic) of a Company of Portuguese Volunteers.

In the letter of the Chairman of the Municipal Council under discussion four conditions are submitted on the compliance of which depends the sanctioning of the formation of the Company.

As regards the first condition, we would like to say that it is our wish that the proposed Company should have a purely Portuguese organisation (sic) on the same basis as the German Company have been permitted to be formed. We are strongly of opinion that this would contribute to the efficiency and permanency of the Company, always providing that the regulations be submitted to the approval on the Commandant of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps.

As regards the second and third conditions, we are ready to comply with as long as the examining jury shall be composed of officers of the Portuguese Army, or such a people who have served in any of the Corps at Macao.

As regards the fourth condition, we would say that a number of those who have signed the list are willing to provide, at their own expense, with arms, accoutrements, and uniforms, and we feel sure that the Macao Government will no doubt supply the rest; the Municipality to defray only the cost of the necessary ammunitions.

As under these circumstances we think that the Council cannot show any reasons for withdrawing its sanction for the organisaton (sic) of the proposed Company, we beg that you would obtain the said sanction from the Council with as little delay as the question calls forth.

In conclusion we avail ourselves of this opportunity to tender you our thanks for your valuable aid, hoping that you would continue to extend the same to use until this handful of your nationals residing in Shanghai realise (sic) their ardent desire in conformity with their high notion of their duties in sharing with the subjects of all the other nations in the defence (sic) of these Settlements.

J. M. T. Valdez, Esq.,

Consul-General for Portugal at Shanghai.

Sir,--I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s date in reference to the question of the establishment of a Company of your nationals as a unit of the Volunteer Corps.

In reply thereto I am to say that the Council, upon receipt of your first communication on this subject, gave it the fullest consideration, and, while now appreciating the very laudable sentiments expressed in your letter and its enclosure, is of opinion that the conditions enumerated in my letter of the 2^nd instant are those only upon which the services of the proposed Company can be received.

So far as the German Company is concerned, I would remind you that its organisation dates from a period in the history of the Settlement when, by reason of the size of Shanghai and otherwise, the conditions obtaining were wholly different from those of to-day (sic). So excellent has the work of that Company been and so laudatory also the report of successive Annual Inspecting Officers that the Council has never thought it desirable to make any change in its special organisation (sic), but I would point out that the recently formed national companies have unanimously accepted the recognised (sic) drill of the Corps, and otherwise conformed to its general rules and regulations.

I have the honour to be,

J.M.T. Valdez, Esq.,

Consul-General for Portugal

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Consequently the question of the formation of a Portuguese Company had been allowed to drift until the Mixed Court riots of 1905 and then, together with the Americans, the Portuguese determined to take definite action. The consequence of the 1905 rioting was that a general meeting of the Portuguese community had been called at the old "Club Union" on January 13, 1906. The meeting unanimously decided, with the full approval and consent of the Consul-General for Portugal, to form a Portuguese Volunteer Infantry Corps in order to aid in the protection and defense of the International Settlement. A committee consisting of F.J. d‘Almeida (Chairman), F. Mattos, J.M.P. Remedios, J.F. Chagas, Joao Nolasco da Silva, and some others had been appointed to submit a proposal to the Shanghai Municipal Council regarding the formation of a Portuguese Company of the S.V.C. The committee had also been empowered to open negotiations with the Municipal Council.

A general desire had been manifested at the meeting that the Company should adopt the Portuguese internal administration, uniform and drill, in order to retain its national identity on similar lines as the German and American Companies.

The Municipal Council was at first sceptical, fearing that there was not sufficient enthusiasm among the perspective recruits to warrant the formation of a separate Portuguese unit. But finally, the Council had agreed and given a conditional consent. As a condition, it required that 20 preliminary drills on the British system of infantry drill be completed before the establishment of the Company could definitely be sanctioned, its authorized strength settled upon, and other rules drawn up. As proof of the keenness of the Portuguese residents, when the Company had been actually formed it was the second strongest in its first parade, having 76 officers and men, while the Customs Company consisted of 78 officers and men.

With this encouraging start, the Company was formally admitted to the SVC on February 28, 1906; Joao Nolasco da Silva had been commissioned a lieutenant and placed in command. Captain J. M. Davidson had been attached as instructor, with the assistance of Sergeants Studd, Mathews and Thompson and another from the Marines. In accordance with the conditions laid down by the Council and accepted by the organizing committee, the Company had been trained in the British Infantry Drill and armed with Martini carbines. In 1908 the Company had been firmly established and adopted the drill of the Portuguese army manuals. From that time on, the language of command, company orders, and lectures was all in Portuguese.

THE PERSONNEL OF THE COMPANY

The first officers of the Portuguese Company included: Majors A. M. and Diniz, Manuel F. R. Leitao; Captains Joao Nolasco da Silva, and Prospero A. da Costa; Lieutenants Basilio M. Carion, Earnesto dos S. Carneiro, Daniel M. Gutterres, Lino Costa, Johannes M. M. Britto, Augusto S. Braga, Justo F. Sequeira, Mathias P. de Campos, Joaquim R. Collaco, Frederico M. F. Gutierrez, Fernando O. R. Xavier, and Mario A. Ferras.

Captain Joao Nolasco da Silva was succeeded in the command of the Company by Major Antonio M. Diniz in 1914. Latter, in 1925, passed the command on to Major Fernando A. R. Leitao, and when four years later this commander had been transferred to headquarters as superintendent of muskertry, he was succeeded by his brother, Major Manuel F. R. Leitao.

ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPANY

The Portuguese Company had one considerable advantage over most of the other units in the SVC. It had its own headquarters, No. 73 Range Road had been rented for that purpose and formally opened on July 17, 1909. Proud of their national associations and anxious to strengthen the ties by keeping the men together, the Company laid the foundations of a club in the rented house . Later on, they transferred to the Portuguese Club, which was the rallying place for all Shanghai’s Portuguese sportsmen.

From its inception, the Portuguese Company was an acitive participant in Company, and Corps rifle meets as well as efficiency and football competitions. The first company rifle meet had been held in September 1905. This event was subsequently held annually. The Portuguese Company’s first big success came in 1910, when a team from the unit won the coveted American Company Cup. There followed a number of lean years, but in 1917-18 the Company placed first when the musketry returns had been published. The Company again placed first in the years 1919-20, 1920-21, 1921-22. Many members of the Company scored individual successes with the rifle. The Company had also won the International Company Challenge Shield in 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1925; the Barnes Cup in 1921 and the British Cup in 1920, 1921, 1926, and 1928. The Company suffered in the competition in the following years except for a few individual victories in the SVC Annual Rifle Meeting. During its first years the Portuguese Company usually finished near the bottom of the annual efficiency returns for the SVC. However, the year 1914 seems to have been a turning point. The company slowly, but surely, forged ahead, until in 1917-18 it placed first. This victory was repeated in the years 1919-20, 1920-21, 1929-30, 1930-31, and 1931-32. The efficiency shield had been won by the Company in the years 1921-22, 1930-31, and 1931-32. The Japanese Cup for all around efficiency and musketry had also been held by the Company for three years. Other trophies won in Corps-- wide competitions by the unit included the Bray Cup, four times in all; and the Fraser Shield for inter-units football competition, which it captured in 1931-32.

It was in October, 1909, that the Company held its first camp, which thereafter became a yearly affair. Over the years it gained in popularity not only with the Portuguese community but with other foreigners as well. There were reports that the hospitality at the Portuguese entertainments held during the camps were lavish, even in a society where most entertainments were of a high standard of excellence. Indeed, the Portuguese Company would be ranked as the leader of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps entertainments.

Towards the close of the year 1911, several of the more influential Portuguese residents expressed a wish to enroll themselves as an auxiliary to the Portuguese Company in order to form a Reserve Section, somewhat upon the lines of the then existing 12 Bore (Gun Club) Company. 22 names were enrolled, and a membership of 40 was expected when the matter of the formation of a "Sportsmen’s Section" ("Secçao de Caçadores"), to be affiliated to the Portuguese Company, had been laid before the Municipal Council. The project received the Council’s sanction upon the grounds that all adult male residents in the International Settlement should be prepared to take part in its defense, if required, and some form of organization was necessary in order that their service may be of actual use. Upon the recommendation of the Commandant, a commission of Second Lieutenant to command the new section had been issued on December 28, 1911, for L. Encarnação. At the close of the year, the strength of this section was 30.

In the life of the foreign concessions in Shanghai, the question of these more or less irregular reserve units occasionally came up for discussion. It was realized at the time that, in the event of any serious troubles in Shanghai, there would be an enormous rush of non-volunteer residents anxious to be of service all of whom would expect to be attached to the S.V.C. It was evident that the great majority of such men would be barred from joining any of the active units of the Volunteer Corps. But the task of organizing them into some sort of workable shape would fall upon the staff of the Volunteer Corps. That task could be considerably lightened by the organization beforehand of these reserve units, which would be capable of faster and greater expansion then could be the case with the units organized on a regular basis. At the same time, the authorities of the Municipal Council reasoned, in the time of trouble these units would probably receive an accession of strength out of all proportion to the active units. The Portuguese not only contributed to the military preparedness of the Treaty Port but they also exercised an influence on the cultural life of the city.

The Portuguese Company organized a splendid string band from its experts on the national guitar of Portugal whose performances were always eagerly looked forward to at the Volunteer Corps concerts.Encouraged by the success of this organization, the Company went a step further and formed a brass band. After two months of practice, the band played the Portuguese Company into camp, much to the envy of other units, none of whom could boast traveling music save the Shanghai Scottish with their pipes and the Chinese with their traditional music. The Portuguese owed their band to Consul-General Casanova who took great interest in the Volunteers and helped the Company tremendously by providing funds for the military band. Unfortunately, the band dispersed as its members resigned from the Company. Finally all that remainders of the band were the buglers who still played at company parades.

The Portuguese Company was intensely nationalistic and never missed an opportunity of showing it. All Portuguese national festivals had been enthusiastically observed. That nationalism had even been extended to involve in the affairs of the Portuguese colony of Macao. In August, 1910, at the invitation of the Macao Government, a contingent from the company was present at the transfer of the remains of Colonel Mesquita to Portugal. Colonel Mesquita had been honored by the adoption of his name as part of the local company’s name, with the permission of the S.M.C. The unit was thereafter known as the Portuguese Company "Colonel Mesquita" (Companhia Portugueza do Coronel Mesquita) Shanghai Volunteer Corps.

Some years later there was another display of loyalty by the Company to the home country. During the dispute over Macao boundary, relations between the Chinese and Portuguese authorities grew tense and for a while it appeared as if hostilities might break out. There was a spontaneous suggestion that the members of the Portuguese Company should offer their services to Macao, not, as members of the S.V.C., but as citizens of the Republic of Portugal. At a full muster of the company, Captain Diniz took the opportunity to test the views of his men. When he asked if any wanted to offer their services, if their government should require volunteers, the entire company stepped forward. Fortunately, the dispute was settled amicably and the service of volunteers was not required.

The Company’s colors were presented by the Portuguese ladies of Shanghai in 1925 on the occasion of the unit’s 20^th anniversary. The Portuguese Company had the distinction of being the only unit in the Shanghai Volunteer Corps to be officially decorated by any recognized government. In a ceremony on October 5, 1932, Portugal’s national day, the Minister for Portugal presented the Company with the Military Order of Christ. The Portuguese government conferred such a high distinction on the Company for valuable service to the community. This award reflected great honor not only on the Company but also on the Shanghai Volunteer Corps. The Municipal Council, in acknowledging its gratititude to the Portuguese Company, also expressed its deep appreciation of the high honor conferred on the Company by the country of its members’ origin.

Many of the officers of the Company were also decorated by the Portuguese Government for their services to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and the local Portuguese community. A number of ex-members of the Company later served with the Portuguese Army in Macao. The training received while members of the Portuguese Company, S.V.C., had been placed in good stead during their recruit days.

The strength of the Portuguese Company of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps varied over the years ranging from a high of 118 and 7 officers in 1929 to a low of 76 and 4 officers in 1933. Details can be followed in Table 3.1.