Author
Publication Date
2009
Categories
Tags period
Location
Merchant living in Macao in the first half of the 17th century, he supported the formalisation of the Macao-Manila travel in 1621, when he was 35 years old. In the same year, he was an opponent of the Society of Jesus in the contention of Ilha Verde. In 1625, he supported the Jesuits on the issue of the government of the Bishopric of China in opposition to Friar António do Rosário.

He is referred to in the inhabtitants' list of 1625 ("Lista De La gente Efetiua que Ay Em esta Ciudade Assy, Vizinos Como estrauagantes forasteros E gente De lla tierra") as being resident in the parish of Sé.

He served as Alderman in 1634 and was Clerk of Santa Casa da Misericórdia in 1635. He belonged to the circle of the Elected and the Associates in the 1630s and 1640s. He was a member of the elite of economy and power which came into being in the 1620s, as well as the elite of power, wealth and knowledge of the two first decades of that century.

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 by the Chief Judge Sebastião Soares Pais.

In 1641, he was considered one of the twenty oldest and most prominent citizens of Macao. In 1643, he integrated the restricted circle of citizens who, aiming at autonomy, elected associate Procurators of the people. He was one of the neighbours that stood out in the contradictions of 1642, and signed the Term of May 31st on the occasion of the acclamation of D. João IV.

He participated in the debate of 1645-1646 on sending an Embassy to Japan.

Bibliography:
PENALVA, Elsa, A Companhia de Jesus em Macau (1615-1626), Uiniversidade de Lisboa, 2000 (dissertação de mestrado policopiada). Idem, Lutas pelo Poder em Macau (c.1590-c.1660), Universidade de Lisboa (dissertação de doutoramento policopiada), 2005, Jorge dos Santos Alves, «Os jesuítas e a «contenda da Ilha Verde». A primeira discussão sobre a legitimidade da presença portuguesa em Macau (1621)» in A Companhia de Jesus e a Missionação no Oriente, actas do Colóquio Internacional promovido pela Fundação Oriente e pela revista Brotéria, Lisboa, Brotéria - Revista de Cultura, Fundação Oriente, 2000.

Translated by: Ana Pereira