François-Jules Harmand papers

Personal and official correspondence; autobiographical notes and diaries; medical reports concerning French Navy personnel; photographs; diplomatic reports; archaeological, botanical, and ethnographic accounts concerning Southeast Asia and its people; and documents pertaining to the Tonkin expedition (1873) led by Francis Garnier, in which Harmand participated, including numerous maps and drawings, some by Harmand, reports and journals, and a genealogical table of the Vietnamese royal family Nguyêñ. Speeches, military intelligence reports and maps, and contemporary copies of the Annamite Proclamation of June 8, 1883, and the Ultimatum of the Convention of Hué (1883) with Harmand's commentary; also included are reports concerning political, economic, and social conditions and a proposal for establishing a French telegraphic line; letters, which Harmand acquired while consul in Bangkok, to M. Blancheton, an earlier French consul to Siam, from the French trader and explorer, Jean Dupuis, who was also a member of the Garnier expedition, and notes detailing the development of French interest and influence in Southeast Asia (author, unknown, n.d.) are included. Additional diplomatic documents consist of photographs and dispatches concerning military affairs and cultural traditions in India (1885-1890); a photograph album and dispatches both sent and received while Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan (1894-1906);

a proposal and accompanying letter (ca. 1900) in English by Sun Yat-sen requesting support for an effort to free southern China from Manchu dynastic rule; and a few letters discussing events in Chile (1890-1891) and efforts to aid Russians imprisoned in Japan (1904-1905). Also included are newspaper clippings concerning political and scientific interest and activities; diplomas, certificates, and a record of his military service; and documents regarding the donation of his library to the University of Strasbourg. Additional correspondents include L. Pierre, a personal friend, members of the family of Francis Garnier, Admiral Marie-Jules Dupré, Admiral Peyron, General Alexandre-Eugene Bouët (1833-1887), Sir John Strachey (1823-1907), Alexandre E.J. Yersin (1860-1943), and Dr. H. Vergniaud, a fellow participant in the Garnier expedition. The papers are primarily in French and Southeast Asian languages.