明代海外贸易管理机构的演变

兴于唐、发展于宋、完善于元的海外贸易管理制度——市舶制度,为明王朝所继承。然而,明代市舶司在机构设置、职能发挥、选官制度等方面较之前代均有明显的变化。随着朝贡贸易的衰落和私人海外贸易的兴盛,市舶司的政治性职能逐渐减弱,经济性职能日益增强;其管理海外贸易的方式相应地由官方贸易为主体演变为以民间贸易为主体。明代中叶以后,不仅私人海外贸易势力直接冲击着明代的市舶制度,西方殖民者的东来,亦直接瓦解着市舶制度所维系的朝贡贸易体系。面对着东南海防与财政危机,迫使明政府不得不调整其海外贸易政策,而主持海外贸易的市舶司机构,也不得不改弦易辙,在职能方面有所转换。明代后期将打击走私贸易的防海机构——海防馆改为督饷馆,督饷馆的设立对我国海外贸易管理机构由市舶司向海关转变,起到了承上启下的过渡作用。

Transformation of the Managements of Ultramarine Trade During the Ming Dynasty

This article focuses on the transformation of the managements of ultramarine trade in the Ming Dynasty. As far as the offices of ultramarine trade are concerned, they originated in the Tang Dynasty, developed in the Song Dynasty, accomplished in the Yuan Dynasty, and declined in the Ming Dynasty. With the general tendency of the overseas communication as the background, the author elaborates on the process how the traditional system of ultramarine trade was destroyed and gives an account of the basic situation of offices of ultramarine trade in the Ming Dynasty. In addition, the author reveals the historical role that the managements of ultramarine trade played in China's overseas trade and points out that the transformation of the managements of ultramarine trade in the Ming Dynasty makes a good preparation for the establishment of the Customs in the Qing Dynasty.