Merchant established in Macao in the first half of the 17th century, he supported the Society of Jesus in the dispute between the government of the Bishopric of China and the Dominican Friar António do Rosário in 1622.

He was Clerk of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in 1632, 1633 and 1635. He participated in the debate of 1631-1637 on the new type of election for administrator of travel in Japan, imposed by the Viceroy Conde de Linhares upon the suggestion of Chief Judge Sebastião Soares Pais.

He served as Alderman in 1640 and was considered one of the twenty oldest, most prominent citizens in the city. He signed the second Term of May 31, 1642 on the occasion of the acclamation of D. João IV. He stood out in the contradictions of 1642, in which the Governor of the Bishopric, Friar Bento de Cristo, opposed the Commissaries of the Holy Office, Father Gaspar Luís and Father Gaspar do Amaral. In 1643 he participated in the municipal meeting in which the associate procurators of the people were elected.

In 1645 and 1646, he participated in the debate on sending an embassy to Japan, which he was in favor of.

Bibliography:
PENALVA, Elsa, Lutas pelo Poder em Macau (c.1590-c.1660), Universidade de Lisboa, 2005 (hectographed doctoral dissertation).

Author: Elsa Penalva
Translated by: John Starkey