A merchant, son of António Pinto and Leonor de Alvarenga, he lived in Macao in the first half of the 17th century. He was Treasurer in Santa Casa da Misericórdia. In 1619, 1623 and 1628, he served as Commodore for the travel to Japan.

He participated in the debate of 1631-1637 on the new type of election for travel Administrator to Japan, which was imposed by the Viceroy, Count of Linhares, upon suggestion of the Chief Judge Sebastião Soares Pais.

He sided with the Society of Jesus in 1642 in the controversy in which the Commissaries of the Holy Office, Father Gaspar Luis and Father Gaspar do Amaral, opposed to Governor of the Bishopric of China, Friar Bento de Cristo.

Bibliography:
PENALVA, Elsa, Lutas pelo Poder em Macau (c.1590-c.1660), Universidade de Lisboa (dissertação de doutoramento policopiada), 2005.

Author: Elsa Penalva
Translated by: Ana Pereira