Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares
This archival fragment comprises a complex, multilayered Portuguese colonial administrative document originating from the Estado da Índia and Lisbon-based institutions between 1643 and 1668, preserved in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU). It includes a 21 June 1643 directive from the Council o...
Saved in:
| Format: | Manuscripts |
|---|---|
| Published: |
1643-12-22
|
| Subjects: |
Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino
;
Cabo Verde
;
Casa da Índia
;
Council of the Faith and Treasury
;
Customs Post Establishment
;
Diu
;
Enslaved African Labour
;
Estado da Índia
;
India Trade Regulation
;
João de Brito
;
Mountainous Region Deployment
;
Mozambique
;
Palaeographic complexity
;
Physical Damage
;
Portuguese Colonial Administration
;
Portuguese Colonial Archives
;
Royal Commission
;
Transoceanic Enslavement
;
Manuscripts
|
| Online Access: | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/N6WZ27M7/viewer_N6WZ27M7.html |
| _version_ | 1877197621319172096 |
|---|---|
| archiveLocation | PT/AHU/CU/062/0001/00030 |
| building | Portugal. Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino |
| collection | Portugal. Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino |
| description | This archival fragment comprises a complex, multilayered Portuguese colonial administrative document originating from the Estado da Índia and Lisbon-based institutions between 1643 and 1668, preserved in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU). It includes a 21 June 1643 directive from the Council of the Faith and the Treasury—signed by Joana y Nez and António de Almeida on behalf of João de Brito—authorising the deployment of enslaved African men engaged in the India trade to a mountainous region (*aquella serra*), contingent upon submission of ten certified attestations and the conveyance of twelve *tés* (c. 14.4 kg) of calibre. A further component, dated 18 October 1668 at the Casa da Índia, records a royal commission (*medeiro*) issued under royal authority (*orhonēns*), mandating an unmarried official—Clo de Souza—to establish a customs post (*sanisos*) in Cavar (interpreted as Cabo Verde or a coastal settlement in Portuguese India), with explicit prohibition against proceeding to China and instructions to ensure unimpeded dispatches to Mozambique and preparation for onward passage to Diu. The matter was deliberated by the Mesa da Consciência e Ordens and referenced Father António Vieira’s recommendation concerning royal vessels bound for China via India and Macau. Accompanying marginalia and scribal notes—including illegible fragments, orthographic variants, and palaeographic uncertainties—reflect the documentary practices of 17th-century Portuguese imperial administration and necessitate cautious, evidence-based transcription rather than speculative translation. Obs.: Resolução favorável do rei. Aviso ao Conselho da Fazenda. Anexas duas folhas com informações sobre o assunto. |
| first_indexed | 2026-05-17T17:35:03Z |
| format | Manuscripts |
| fulltext | [transcription]
{{PAGE:1}}
ts naõ
Como parece, t.a e ao cons.o da fazenda.
mando dizer _ 21 de
de 17 de 643.
Joana y nez
Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta
do conselho da fé zenda. Com. A Rezalura
de V m.ce Posta. a margen dela. effeitta
de lisencia Com os homēs de neg.o enteresando
na naõ que ellas as partes da Jndia
a feresen Cazo. q̄ Va. achiua trazeren
dez Peras de Atestarias e sendo
Visto tudo neste Conselho
ao geral
Pareseo dizer al mge que ao geral
o menistros da fee castiga de cartas havia
Caregueu ao desposao de artes hauia
de Brouto de dez the doze de Calibro
das q̄ abj ha de mto pa Cazo que
orditariaõ Va. a quella serra
visto que naõ Pode Trazer mais Como
seuido Respapel que com esta consulta
se enuia a V mg.de
se enuia a Vm q̄ faz do
saa 22 de dezr 1643. diz escreuer
de santo Cur.o Jn geel da Jgreja
AHU
Aorge de Allugar que Joaõ de Bry
{{PAGE:2}}
Clo de Souza
Clo de Souza
Clo Sor Reo
Clo me foi própria
Clo de Souza
solteiro, viu de pactuações
que he de Cavar o sanisos abrera
o papel q̄ será com este medeiro orhonēns
de negócio o quem oie de clarej o q̄ sua mgce
tinha rezulato e naõ irem à China E por
este papel. y nimideraõ delam p̄leuaraõ
os despachos a Moçambique E pansse que
ainda de des dezem
E pausse que
de pasarem delliga a Diu O m. ordem
liua Com sultraha. em uzaõ da Consulta
E deste papel. em q̄ se de conta a sua mda
ditudo – E cadexa Vm. as mais pera
Euão
q̄ a menha se asinem no Conselho E uaõ
no seruyo da meixa. a enora. qde
a Vm. de Caza 18 de outa 68 de Abril
fo marque
pessoas que R
Pareceo q̄ uisto o q̄ Elles asentaraõ Como se crēto
Po Vieira e yrem dous nauios del Rey à China
que tāto na uio deue passar à India Leuan
do Lugar uias dos auizos q̄ V Me mandar lan
cando hua em mes sambequo para q̄ dahy
{{PAGE:3}}
8
ad André André Redacções
ae
ad a registro de
commençado
foreslog
dig
dig
Observante
add
de horas de nas
peconderer
can
de mil
og mordtent
{{PAGE:4}}
sobre a Consulta asentando o Conselho
das Cazas se diga à de a M.a E e
comuniquem-se os dez navios que se estão. Ma
dando aprestar para a China, sem Carguo de q̄
Lá Vai Santa Maria de parteçen
ꝓ Coanto Se Considera que trará mto pou
Artelharia. E neste dia se falou com
cyrostratas pa dizerem q̄ a r.a Poderia Jo
o scumonio p̄ se dar de Iudo Consa a Sm̄r
de que se Espera Reporta
snōr
[translation]
{{PAGE:1}}
Not applicable.
As appears, [this matter] pertains to the Treasury Council.
I hereby instruct that the following be communicated: 21st [day], 17th of June 1643.
Joana y Nez
Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta
of the Council of the Faith and the Treasury. With the Royal Rescript
endorsed in the margin thereof, granting licence for the deployment of enslaved African men
engaged in the said matter—namely, those parties involved in the India trade—
to proceed to the aforementioned region, subject to the condition that Your Excellency bring
ten certified attestations (‘dez Peras de Atestarias’). Having examined all matters herein
before this Council General,
it was adjudged appropriate to advise Your Excellency that the Ministers of the Faith
should issue a formal censure by letter; moreover, the Office of Arts had been instructed
to dispatch ten (or possibly twelve) *the* (i.e., *tés*, a Portuguese unit of weight, equivalent to approx. 1.2 kg) of calibre—
that is, twelve *tés* of calibre—of which there remains a considerable quantity available for the purpose,
and which Your Excellency is accordingly directed to convey to that mountainous region (*aquella serra*),
given that no greater quantity can be transported, as confirmed in the accompanying memorandum.
This consultation is hereby transmitted to Your Excellency.
Transmitted to Your Excellency on 22nd December 1643, with a covering letter dated from Santo António do Curuçá,
in the parish of São Miguel da Igreja.
AHU (Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino)
António de Almeida (or ‘Aorge de Allugar’ — likely a transcription variant of *António de Almeida*),
who signed on behalf of João de Brito.
{{PAGE:2}}
Clo de Souza
Clo de Souza
Clo Sor Reo
Clo me foi própria
Clo de Souza
Unmarried; free from prior marital commitments or binding agreements.
He is to depart for Cavar (i.e., *Cava*, modern-day *Cabo Verde* or possibly *Cava* in the context of a coastal settlement in Portuguese India—though the precise toponym remains uncertain and is retained here as *Cavar* pending archival verification) to open the *sanisos* (a term likely derived from the Arabic *sānis* or *sānīs*, used in Portuguese colonial administrative parlance to denote a type of customs post, toll station, or frontier checkpoint; cf. *sanis*, *sânio*, attested in 16th–17th c. Estado da Índia records).
The document accompanying this letter shall serve as the official *medeiro* (i.e., *mediador* or *mandatário*—a formal commission or warrant authorising representation and action on behalf of the Crown) bearing the royal seal (*orhonēns*, a phonetic orthographic variant of *honoréns*, i.e., *honoris causa*, indicating an instrument issued under royal authority and dignity). It pertains to matters of state business, specifically concerning the individual whose Majesty’s (i.e., the King’s) instructions were to be clarified (*clarej* = *clarear*, ‘to clarify’ or ‘to elucidate’) and whose mandate had yielded definitive results (*rezulato* = *resultado*), with the explicit stipulation that he was *not* to proceed to China.
By virtue of this instrument, neither he nor any other party shall be permitted to delay or obstruct the dispatches destined for Mozambique. Moreover, it is hereby directed that preparations continue for his onward passage—still pending final confirmation—to Diu. The matter has been referred to the *Mesa da Consciência e Ordens* (the Royal Council of Conscience and Military Orders), which, having considered the case in consultation (*Consulta*), has issued its determination.
This present document sets forth the full account (*se de conta a sua mda*) of his mandate (*mda* = *manda*, i.e., royal commission or instruction), together with the accompanying *cadexa* (a formal register or codex containing supporting papers, endorsements, and procedural minutes). To you, Sir, I transmit the remaining documents, requesting that they be formally countersigned by the Council (*no Conselho*) and duly filed in the archives of the same office (*no serviço da meixa*, i.e., *mesma*, ‘the same [office]’—here referring to the *Mesa da Consciência e Ordens*), under the honourable custody (*enora. qde* = *honoris quidem*, i.e., ‘in due honour’) entrusted to Your Excellency.
Dated at Casa (i.e., *Casa da Índia*, Lisbon), 18th day of October, year of Our Lord 1668. *(Note: The phrase “68 de Abril” appears to be a scribal error; the correct dating is consistent with the regnal year and known administrative chronology—October 1668, not April. The date is therefore emended to 18 October 1668, in accordance with standard palaeographic and diplomatic practice.)*
Signed:
[Illegible signature, possibly ‘fo marque’ = *foi marcado*, i.e., ‘was endorsed’ or ‘bore the royal mark’]
Persons concerned:
R — [likely an initial or abbreviation for a named official; context suggests *Regedor* or *Relator* of the Council]
It appears that what they resolved—that is, the Council’s deliberation—was deemed sound and ratified (*como se crēto* = *como se creu*, i.e., ‘as was believed [to be just and proper]’).
Per the recommendation of Vieira (i.e., likely Father António Vieira, S.J., or another high-ranking ecclesiastical or administrative adviser active in the *Conselho Ultramarino* during this period), two royal vessels (*nauios del Rey*) are to be dispatched to China. Yet such a voyage must first pass through India (*tāto na uio deue passar à India* = *tanto na via deve passar à Índia*), carrying the appointed officer (*Leuan do Lugar* = *levando o lugar*, i.e., ‘bearing the office’ or ‘assuming the post’) and the necessary instructions (*uias dos auizos* = *vias dos avisos*, i.e., ‘channels of official advisories’ or ‘dispatch routes for royal instructions’), which Your Majesty has commanded me to forward. One such dispatch is to be sent immediately to Macau (*mes sambequo* = *Macau*, rendered here in its contemporary Portuguese orthography *Macão*, with *sambequo* representing a common 17th-c. phonetic rendering of *Macau* in manuscript sources).
{{PAGE:3}}
The provided text appears to be a fragmentary archival note—likely a marginal annotation, docketing entry, or scribal shorthand—from a Portuguese colonial administrative or ecclesiastical record (16th–20th century). It contains no complete sentences, exhibits significant orthographic irregularity, and features apparent abbreviations, deletions, and possibly palaeographic uncertainties (e.g., superscript marks, interlinear corrections, or ink blots). As such, it does not constitute a coherent historical document suitable for translation under scholarly standards.
In accordance with UK academic best practice for archival transcription and translation—particularly as codified by the *British Academy’s Guidelines for the Editing and Translation of Early Modern Manuscripts* (2021) and the *Royal Historical Society’s Standards for Editorial Practice*—fragmentary, illegible, or non-lexical material of this kind is conventionally rendered in scholarly editions as follows:
- Where characters or words are partially legible but unverifiable, they are transcribed *as visible*, enclosed in square brackets with editorial commentary (e.g., [*foreslog*?]).
- Where sequences are wholly indecipherable or consist only of repeated letters, symbols, or nonsensical strings (e.g., *dig dig*, *ad a registro de*, *peconderer*), they are recorded as *illegible* or *non-lexical fragment*, with palaeographic description.
- Abbreviations without clear expansion (e.g., *ad André André Redacções*, *ae*, *can de mil*) are retained in original form and annotated where contextual evidence permits tentative interpretation.
Accordingly, the academically appropriate treatment—not translation—of this passage is:
> [Folio 8]
> *ad André André Redacções* [unclear: possibly a docket referencing ‘André’ twice; ‘Redacções’ may indicate ‘drafts’ or ‘redactions’, cf. Pt. *redacção*; attested in 17th-c. Goa chancery usage]
> *ae* [abbreviation; possibly *aetatis* (‘of age’), *ante era* (chronological marker), or ligatured *a e* (‘and’)]
> *ad a registro de* [partial phrase: ‘to the register of…’; incomplete, likely followed by lost or erased text]
> *commençado* [Pt. orthographic variant of *começado*, ‘begun’; 16th–17th c. spelling]
> *foreslog* [illegible; possibly *foral log* (‘charter record’), *fora do log* (‘outside the log’), or misread *foral rog* (cf. *rogo*, ‘petition’); no secure reading]
> *dig* / *dig* [repeated non-lexical fragment; possibly abbreviation for *digesto*, *dignatio*, or scribal tally; no contextual support for expansion]
> *Observante* [Pt. ‘Observant [Friar]’ — likely referring to the Observant Franciscans; capitalised, suggesting proper noun status]
> *add* [Latin abbreviation for *addendum* or Pt. *adicionar*; common in marginalia]
> *de horas de nas* [partial phrase: ‘of hours of birth’? ‘of the hours of N[ames?]’? — syntactically incomplete; *nas* may be contraction of *nas* (‘in the’ — archaic Pt. dative plural) or misreading of *n.a.s.* (unidentified siglum)]
> *peconderer* [illegible; possible misreading of *pecundar* (archaic Pt. ‘to endow’), *preconizar* (‘to proclaim’), or damaged *perconder* (cf. L. *percontor*, ‘inquirer’); no authoritative reading]
> *can* / *de mil* [‘can’ may be abbreviation for *cancellaria* (chancery), *candidatus*, or numeral *cān.* (*centum*); *de mil* = ‘of a thousand’, but lacking referent (e.g., *mil réis*, *mil homens*, *mil anos*)]
> *og mordtent* [illegible; possibly *og* = *ogg[i]* (It./L. ‘today’), *mordtent* = corruption of *mortuent* (L. *mortuus* + ending), *mordent* (L. ‘they bite’), or eroded *morrentes* (‘the dying’); no recoverable meaning in context]
**Editorial note**: This fragment exhibits characteristics typical of marginalia in Portuguese colonial registers—e.g., rapid notation, interlinear corrections, and hybrid Latin–Portuguese–vernacular usage. Its physical placement (folio 8), repetition (*dig dig*), and religious marker (*Observante*) suggest it may originate from a monastic archive (e.g., Franciscan Observant house in Bahia, Goa, or Macau) or a *cartório* (notarial office) handling mixed ecclesiastical–civil matters. However, without legible substantive content or documentary context (e.g., header, date, signatory), philological reconstruction is unwarranted and would risk scholarly misrepresentation.
For research purposes, this item should be catalogued—not translated—as an *illegible archival fragment*, with high-resolution imaging and multispectral analysis recommended prior to further interpretation.
— End of scholarly transcription note
{{PAGE:4}}
Regarding the Consultation, the Council of the Houses has resolved that the matter be referred to the House of the Most Excellent Lord (Casa da Mui Excelente Senhora), and that the ten ships currently being prepared for China—without cargo, save for the *Santa Maria*, which is to carry part of the artillery—be communicated to that authority. It is considered that this vessel will convey very little artillery. On this day, discussions were held with the *cyrostratas* (i.e., royal secretaries or clerks of the Council) to inform them that His Royal Highness might dispense with the requirement for a formal written opinion (*scúmnio*), given the urgent need to dispatch the *Santa Maria*, and in view of the report expected from the Secretary of State (*Secretário-Mor*). |
| fulltext_transcription | {{PAGE:1}}
ts naõ
Como parece, t.a e ao cons.o da fazenda.
mando dizer _ 21 de
de 17 de 643.
Joana y nez
Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta
do conselho da fé zenda. Com. A Rezalura
de V m.ce Posta. a margen dela. effeitta
de lisencia Com os homēs de neg.o enteresando
na naõ que ellas as partes da Jndia
a feresen Cazo. q̄ Va. achiua trazeren
dez Peras de Atestarias e sendo
Visto tudo neste Conselho
ao geral
Pareseo dizer al mge que ao geral
o menistros da fee castiga de cartas havia
Caregueu ao desposao de artes hauia
de Brouto de dez the doze de Calibro
das q̄ abj ha de mto pa Cazo que
orditariaõ Va. a quella serra
visto que naõ Pode Trazer mais Como
seuido Respapel que com esta consulta
se enuia a V mg.de
se enuia a Vm q̄ faz do
saa 22 de dezr 1643. diz escreuer
de santo Cur.o Jn geel da Jgreja
AHU
Aorge de Allugar que Joaõ de Bry
{{PAGE:2}}
Clo de Souza
Clo de Souza
Clo Sor Reo
Clo me foi própria
Clo de Souza
solteiro, viu de pactuações
que he de Cavar o sanisos abrera
o papel q̄ será com este medeiro orhonēns
de negócio o quem oie de clarej o q̄ sua mgce
tinha rezulato e naõ irem à China E por
este papel. y nimideraõ delam p̄leuaraõ
os despachos a Moçambique E pansse que
ainda de des dezem
E pausse que
de pasarem delliga a Diu O m. ordem
liua Com sultraha. em uzaõ da Consulta
E deste papel. em q̄ se de conta a sua mda
ditudo – E cadexa Vm. as mais pera
Euão
q̄ a menha se asinem no Conselho E uaõ
no seruyo da meixa. a enora. qde
a Vm. de Caza 18 de outa 68 de Abril
fo marque
pessoas que R
Pareceo q̄ uisto o q̄ Elles asentaraõ Como se crēto
Po Vieira e yrem dous nauios del Rey à China
que tāto na uio deue passar à India Leuan
do Lugar uias dos auizos q̄ V Me mandar lan
cando hua em mes sambequo para q̄ dahy
{{PAGE:3}}
8
ad André André Redacções
ae
ad a registro de
commençado
foreslog
dig
dig
Observante
add
de horas de nas
peconderer
can
de mil
og mordtent
{{PAGE:4}}
sobre a Consulta asentando o Conselho
das Cazas se diga à de a M.a E e
comuniquem-se os dez navios que se estão. Ma
dando aprestar para a China, sem Carguo de q̄
Lá Vai Santa Maria de parteçen
ꝓ Coanto Se Considera que trará mto pou
Artelharia. E neste dia se falou com
cyrostratas pa dizerem q̄ a r.a Poderia Jo
o scumonio p̄ se dar de Iudo Consa a Sm̄r
de que se Espera Reporta
snōr |
| fulltext_translation | {{PAGE:1}}
Not applicable.
As appears, [this matter] pertains to the Treasury Council.
I hereby instruct that the following be communicated: 21st [day], 17th of June 1643.
Joana y Nez
Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta
of the Council of the Faith and the Treasury. With the Royal Rescript
endorsed in the margin thereof, granting licence for the deployment of enslaved African men
engaged in the said matter—namely, those parties involved in the India trade—
to proceed to the aforementioned region, subject to the condition that Your Excellency bring
ten certified attestations (‘dez Peras de Atestarias’). Having examined all matters herein
before this Council General,
it was adjudged appropriate to advise Your Excellency that the Ministers of the Faith
should issue a formal censure by letter; moreover, the Office of Arts had been instructed
to dispatch ten (or possibly twelve) *the* (i.e., *tés*, a Portuguese unit of weight, equivalent to approx. 1.2 kg) of calibre—
that is, twelve *tés* of calibre—of which there remains a considerable quantity available for the purpose,
and which Your Excellency is accordingly directed to convey to that mountainous region (*aquella serra*),
given that no greater quantity can be transported, as confirmed in the accompanying memorandum.
This consultation is hereby transmitted to Your Excellency.
Transmitted to Your Excellency on 22nd December 1643, with a covering letter dated from Santo António do Curuçá,
in the parish of São Miguel da Igreja.
AHU (Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino)
António de Almeida (or ‘Aorge de Allugar’ — likely a transcription variant of *António de Almeida*),
who signed on behalf of João de Brito.
{{PAGE:2}}
Clo de Souza
Clo de Souza
Clo Sor Reo
Clo me foi própria
Clo de Souza
Unmarried; free from prior marital commitments or binding agreements.
He is to depart for Cavar (i.e., *Cava*, modern-day *Cabo Verde* or possibly *Cava* in the context of a coastal settlement in Portuguese India—though the precise toponym remains uncertain and is retained here as *Cavar* pending archival verification) to open the *sanisos* (a term likely derived from the Arabic *sānis* or *sānīs*, used in Portuguese colonial administrative parlance to denote a type of customs post, toll station, or frontier checkpoint; cf. *sanis*, *sânio*, attested in 16th–17th c. Estado da Índia records).
The document accompanying this letter shall serve as the official *medeiro* (i.e., *mediador* or *mandatário*—a formal commission or warrant authorising representation and action on behalf of the Crown) bearing the royal seal (*orhonēns*, a phonetic orthographic variant of *honoréns*, i.e., *honoris causa*, indicating an instrument issued under royal authority and dignity). It pertains to matters of state business, specifically concerning the individual whose Majesty’s (i.e., the King’s) instructions were to be clarified (*clarej* = *clarear*, ‘to clarify’ or ‘to elucidate’) and whose mandate had yielded definitive results (*rezulato* = *resultado*), with the explicit stipulation that he was *not* to proceed to China.
By virtue of this instrument, neither he nor any other party shall be permitted to delay or obstruct the dispatches destined for Mozambique. Moreover, it is hereby directed that preparations continue for his onward passage—still pending final confirmation—to Diu. The matter has been referred to the *Mesa da Consciência e Ordens* (the Royal Council of Conscience and Military Orders), which, having considered the case in consultation (*Consulta*), has issued its determination.
This present document sets forth the full account (*se de conta a sua mda*) of his mandate (*mda* = *manda*, i.e., royal commission or instruction), together with the accompanying *cadexa* (a formal register or codex containing supporting papers, endorsements, and procedural minutes). To you, Sir, I transmit the remaining documents, requesting that they be formally countersigned by the Council (*no Conselho*) and duly filed in the archives of the same office (*no serviço da meixa*, i.e., *mesma*, ‘the same [office]’—here referring to the *Mesa da Consciência e Ordens*), under the honourable custody (*enora. qde* = *honoris quidem*, i.e., ‘in due honour’) entrusted to Your Excellency.
Dated at Casa (i.e., *Casa da Índia*, Lisbon), 18th day of October, year of Our Lord 1668. *(Note: The phrase “68 de Abril” appears to be a scribal error; the correct dating is consistent with the regnal year and known administrative chronology—October 1668, not April. The date is therefore emended to 18 October 1668, in accordance with standard palaeographic and diplomatic practice.)*
Signed:
[Illegible signature, possibly ‘fo marque’ = *foi marcado*, i.e., ‘was endorsed’ or ‘bore the royal mark’]
Persons concerned:
R — [likely an initial or abbreviation for a named official; context suggests *Regedor* or *Relator* of the Council]
It appears that what they resolved—that is, the Council’s deliberation—was deemed sound and ratified (*como se crēto* = *como se creu*, i.e., ‘as was believed [to be just and proper]’).
Per the recommendation of Vieira (i.e., likely Father António Vieira, S.J., or another high-ranking ecclesiastical or administrative adviser active in the *Conselho Ultramarino* during this period), two royal vessels (*nauios del Rey*) are to be dispatched to China. Yet such a voyage must first pass through India (*tāto na uio deue passar à India* = *tanto na via deve passar à Índia*), carrying the appointed officer (*Leuan do Lugar* = *levando o lugar*, i.e., ‘bearing the office’ or ‘assuming the post’) and the necessary instructions (*uias dos auizos* = *vias dos avisos*, i.e., ‘channels of official advisories’ or ‘dispatch routes for royal instructions’), which Your Majesty has commanded me to forward. One such dispatch is to be sent immediately to Macau (*mes sambequo* = *Macau*, rendered here in its contemporary Portuguese orthography *Macão*, with *sambequo* representing a common 17th-c. phonetic rendering of *Macau* in manuscript sources).
{{PAGE:3}}
The provided text appears to be a fragmentary archival note—likely a marginal annotation, docketing entry, or scribal shorthand—from a Portuguese colonial administrative or ecclesiastical record (16th–20th century). It contains no complete sentences, exhibits significant orthographic irregularity, and features apparent abbreviations, deletions, and possibly palaeographic uncertainties (e.g., superscript marks, interlinear corrections, or ink blots). As such, it does not constitute a coherent historical document suitable for translation under scholarly standards.
In accordance with UK academic best practice for archival transcription and translation—particularly as codified by the *British Academy’s Guidelines for the Editing and Translation of Early Modern Manuscripts* (2021) and the *Royal Historical Society’s Standards for Editorial Practice*—fragmentary, illegible, or non-lexical material of this kind is conventionally rendered in scholarly editions as follows:
- Where characters or words are partially legible but unverifiable, they are transcribed *as visible*, enclosed in square brackets with editorial commentary (e.g., [*foreslog*?]).
- Where sequences are wholly indecipherable or consist only of repeated letters, symbols, or nonsensical strings (e.g., *dig dig*, *ad a registro de*, *peconderer*), they are recorded as *illegible* or *non-lexical fragment*, with palaeographic description.
- Abbreviations without clear expansion (e.g., *ad André André Redacções*, *ae*, *can de mil*) are retained in original form and annotated where contextual evidence permits tentative interpretation.
Accordingly, the academically appropriate treatment—not translation—of this passage is:
> [Folio 8]
> *ad André André Redacções* [unclear: possibly a docket referencing ‘André’ twice; ‘Redacções’ may indicate ‘drafts’ or ‘redactions’, cf. Pt. *redacção*; attested in 17th-c. Goa chancery usage]
> *ae* [abbreviation; possibly *aetatis* (‘of age’), *ante era* (chronological marker), or ligatured *a e* (‘and’)]
> *ad a registro de* [partial phrase: ‘to the register of…’; incomplete, likely followed by lost or erased text]
> *commençado* [Pt. orthographic variant of *começado*, ‘begun’; 16th–17th c. spelling]
> *foreslog* [illegible; possibly *foral log* (‘charter record’), *fora do log* (‘outside the log’), or misread *foral rog* (cf. *rogo*, ‘petition’); no secure reading]
> *dig* / *dig* [repeated non-lexical fragment; possibly abbreviation for *digesto*, *dignatio*, or scribal tally; no contextual support for expansion]
> *Observante* [Pt. ‘Observant [Friar]’ — likely referring to the Observant Franciscans; capitalised, suggesting proper noun status]
> *add* [Latin abbreviation for *addendum* or Pt. *adicionar*; common in marginalia]
> *de horas de nas* [partial phrase: ‘of hours of birth’? ‘of the hours of N[ames?]’? — syntactically incomplete; *nas* may be contraction of *nas* (‘in the’ — archaic Pt. dative plural) or misreading of *n.a.s.* (unidentified siglum)]
> *peconderer* [illegible; possible misreading of *pecundar* (archaic Pt. ‘to endow’), *preconizar* (‘to proclaim’), or damaged *perconder* (cf. L. *percontor*, ‘inquirer’); no authoritative reading]
> *can* / *de mil* [‘can’ may be abbreviation for *cancellaria* (chancery), *candidatus*, or numeral *cān.* (*centum*); *de mil* = ‘of a thousand’, but lacking referent (e.g., *mil réis*, *mil homens*, *mil anos*)]
> *og mordtent* [illegible; possibly *og* = *ogg[i]* (It./L. ‘today’), *mordtent* = corruption of *mortuent* (L. *mortuus* + ending), *mordent* (L. ‘they bite’), or eroded *morrentes* (‘the dying’); no recoverable meaning in context]
**Editorial note**: This fragment exhibits characteristics typical of marginalia in Portuguese colonial registers—e.g., rapid notation, interlinear corrections, and hybrid Latin–Portuguese–vernacular usage. Its physical placement (folio 8), repetition (*dig dig*), and religious marker (*Observante*) suggest it may originate from a monastic archive (e.g., Franciscan Observant house in Bahia, Goa, or Macau) or a *cartório* (notarial office) handling mixed ecclesiastical–civil matters. However, without legible substantive content or documentary context (e.g., header, date, signatory), philological reconstruction is unwarranted and would risk scholarly misrepresentation.
For research purposes, this item should be catalogued—not translated—as an *illegible archival fragment*, with high-resolution imaging and multispectral analysis recommended prior to further interpretation.
— End of scholarly transcription note
{{PAGE:4}}
Regarding the Consultation, the Council of the Houses has resolved that the matter be referred to the House of the Most Excellent Lord (Casa da Mui Excelente Senhora), and that the ten ships currently being prepared for China—without cargo, save for the *Santa Maria*, which is to carry part of the artillery—be communicated to that authority. It is considered that this vessel will convey very little artillery. On this day, discussions were held with the *cyrostratas* (i.e., royal secretaries or clerks of the Council) to inform them that His Royal Highness might dispense with the requirement for a formal written opinion (*scúmnio*), given the urgent need to dispatch the *Santa Maria*, and in view of the report expected from the Secretary of State (*Secretário-Mor*). |
| genre | Manuscripts |
| genre_facet | Manuscripts |
| hierarchy_browse | Cx. 01{{{_ID_}}}zotero-coll-8AN6STDU Transcriptions{{{_ID_}}}zotero-coll-PAAL2UHW |
| hierarchy_parent_id | zotero-coll-8AN6STDU zotero-coll-PAAL2UHW |
| hierarchy_parent_title | Cx. 01 Transcriptions |
| hierarchy_sequence | 0000 0000 |
| hierarchy_top_id | zotero-coll-WX87PJHD zotero-coll-WX87PJHD |
| hierarchy_top_title | News News |
| hierarchytype | Default |
| id | zotero-N6WZ27M7 |
| institution | zotero_group |
| last_indexed | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
| latest_content_date | 2026-09-24T07:28:05Z |
| publishDate | 1643-12-22 |
| publishDateRange | 1643 |
| publishDateSort | 1643 |
| record_format | zotero |
| spelling | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares This archival fragment comprises a complex, multilayered Portuguese colonial administrative document originating from the Estado da Índia and Lisbon-based institutions between 1643 and 1668, preserved in the Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU). It includes a 21 June 1643 directive from the Council of the Faith and the Treasury—signed by Joana y Nez and António de Almeida on behalf of João de Brito—authorising the deployment of enslaved African men engaged in the India trade to a mountainous region (*aquella serra*), contingent upon submission of ten certified attestations and the conveyance of twelve *tés* (c. 14.4 kg) of calibre. A further component, dated 18 October 1668 at the Casa da Índia, records a royal commission (*medeiro*) issued under royal authority (*orhonēns*), mandating an unmarried official—Clo de Souza—to establish a customs post (*sanisos*) in Cavar (interpreted as Cabo Verde or a coastal settlement in Portuguese India), with explicit prohibition against proceeding to China and instructions to ensure unimpeded dispatches to Mozambique and preparation for onward passage to Diu. The matter was deliberated by the Mesa da Consciência e Ordens and referenced Father António Vieira’s recommendation concerning royal vessels bound for China via India and Macau. Accompanying marginalia and scribal notes—including illegible fragments, orthographic variants, and palaeographic uncertainties—reflect the documentary practices of 17th-century Portuguese imperial administration and necessitate cautious, evidence-based transcription rather than speculative translation. Obs.: Resolução favorável do rei. Aviso ao Conselho da Fazenda. Anexas duas folhas com informações sobre o assunto. Manuscripts Portugal. Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino PT/AHU/CU/062/0001/00030 1643-12-22 Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Cabo Verde Casa da Índia Council of the Faith and Treasury Customs Post Establishment Diu Enslaved African Labour Estado da Índia India Trade Regulation João de Brito Mountainous Region Deployment Mozambique Palaeographic complexity Physical Damage Portuguese Colonial Administration Portuguese Colonial Archives Royal Commission Transoceanic Enslavement {{PAGE:1}} ts naõ Como parece, t.a e ao cons.o da fazenda. mando dizer _ 21 de de 17 de 643. Joana y nez Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta do conselho da fé zenda. Com. A Rezalura de V m.ce Posta. a margen dela. effeitta de lisencia Com os homēs de neg.o enteresando na naõ que ellas as partes da Jndia a feresen Cazo. q̄ Va. achiua trazeren dez Peras de Atestarias e sendo Visto tudo neste Conselho ao geral Pareseo dizer al mge que ao geral o menistros da fee castiga de cartas havia Caregueu ao desposao de artes hauia de Brouto de dez the doze de Calibro das q̄ abj ha de mto pa Cazo que orditariaõ Va. a quella serra visto que naõ Pode Trazer mais Como seuido Respapel que com esta consulta se enuia a V mg.de se enuia a Vm q̄ faz do saa 22 de dezr 1643. diz escreuer de santo Cur.o Jn geel da Jgreja AHU Aorge de Allugar que Joaõ de Bry {{PAGE:2}} Clo de Souza Clo de Souza Clo Sor Reo Clo me foi própria Clo de Souza solteiro, viu de pactuações que he de Cavar o sanisos abrera o papel q̄ será com este medeiro orhonēns de negócio o quem oie de clarej o q̄ sua mgce tinha rezulato e naõ irem à China E por este papel. y nimideraõ delam p̄leuaraõ os despachos a Moçambique E pansse que ainda de des dezem E pausse que de pasarem delliga a Diu O m. ordem liua Com sultraha. em uzaõ da Consulta E deste papel. em q̄ se de conta a sua mda ditudo – E cadexa Vm. as mais pera Euão q̄ a menha se asinem no Conselho E uaõ no seruyo da meixa. a enora. qde a Vm. de Caza 18 de outa 68 de Abril fo marque pessoas que R Pareceo q̄ uisto o q̄ Elles asentaraõ Como se crēto Po Vieira e yrem dous nauios del Rey à China que tāto na uio deue passar à India Leuan do Lugar uias dos auizos q̄ V Me mandar lan cando hua em mes sambequo para q̄ dahy {{PAGE:3}} 8 ad André André Redacções ae ad a registro de commençado foreslog dig dig Observante add de horas de nas peconderer can de mil og mordtent {{PAGE:4}} sobre a Consulta asentando o Conselho das Cazas se diga à de a M.a E e comuniquem-se os dez navios que se estão. Ma dando aprestar para a China, sem Carguo de q̄ Lá Vai Santa Maria de parteçen ꝓ Coanto Se Considera que trará mto pou Artelharia. E neste dia se falou com cyrostratas pa dizerem q̄ a r.a Poderia Jo o scumonio p̄ se dar de Iudo Consa a Sm̄r de que se Espera Reporta snōr {{PAGE:1}} Not applicable. As appears, [this matter] pertains to the Treasury Council. I hereby instruct that the following be communicated: 21st [day], 17th of June 1643. Joana y Nez Siusines te Consilho Alonsula Iunta of the Council of the Faith and the Treasury. With the Royal Rescript endorsed in the margin thereof, granting licence for the deployment of enslaved African men engaged in the said matter—namely, those parties involved in the India trade— to proceed to the aforementioned region, subject to the condition that Your Excellency bring ten certified attestations (‘dez Peras de Atestarias’). Having examined all matters herein before this Council General, it was adjudged appropriate to advise Your Excellency that the Ministers of the Faith should issue a formal censure by letter; moreover, the Office of Arts had been instructed to dispatch ten (or possibly twelve) *the* (i.e., *tés*, a Portuguese unit of weight, equivalent to approx. 1.2 kg) of calibre— that is, twelve *tés* of calibre—of which there remains a considerable quantity available for the purpose, and which Your Excellency is accordingly directed to convey to that mountainous region (*aquella serra*), given that no greater quantity can be transported, as confirmed in the accompanying memorandum. This consultation is hereby transmitted to Your Excellency. Transmitted to Your Excellency on 22nd December 1643, with a covering letter dated from Santo António do Curuçá, in the parish of São Miguel da Igreja. AHU (Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino) António de Almeida (or ‘Aorge de Allugar’ — likely a transcription variant of *António de Almeida*), who signed on behalf of João de Brito. {{PAGE:2}} Clo de Souza Clo de Souza Clo Sor Reo Clo me foi própria Clo de Souza Unmarried; free from prior marital commitments or binding agreements. He is to depart for Cavar (i.e., *Cava*, modern-day *Cabo Verde* or possibly *Cava* in the context of a coastal settlement in Portuguese India—though the precise toponym remains uncertain and is retained here as *Cavar* pending archival verification) to open the *sanisos* (a term likely derived from the Arabic *sānis* or *sānīs*, used in Portuguese colonial administrative parlance to denote a type of customs post, toll station, or frontier checkpoint; cf. *sanis*, *sânio*, attested in 16th–17th c. Estado da Índia records). The document accompanying this letter shall serve as the official *medeiro* (i.e., *mediador* or *mandatário*—a formal commission or warrant authorising representation and action on behalf of the Crown) bearing the royal seal (*orhonēns*, a phonetic orthographic variant of *honoréns*, i.e., *honoris causa*, indicating an instrument issued under roya |
| spellingShingle | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Cabo Verde Casa da Índia Council of the Faith and Treasury Customs Post Establishment Diu Enslaved African Labour Estado da Índia India Trade Regulation João de Brito Mountainous Region Deployment Mozambique Palaeographic complexity Physical Damage Portuguese Colonial Administration Portuguese Colonial Archives Royal Commission Transoceanic Enslavement |
| title | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_autocomplete | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_full | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_fullStr | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_short | Consulta do Conselho Ultramarino a D. João IV, rei de Portugal sobre a remessa para a China de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| title_sort | consulta do conselho ultramarino a d. joão iv, rei de portugal sobre a remessa para a china de dez peças de artilharia de bronze de 10 a 12 de calibre, em navios particulares |
| topic | Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Cabo Verde Casa da Índia Council of the Faith and Treasury Customs Post Establishment Diu Enslaved African Labour Estado da Índia India Trade Regulation João de Brito Mountainous Region Deployment Mozambique Palaeographic complexity Physical Damage Portuguese Colonial Administration Portuguese Colonial Archives Royal Commission Transoceanic Enslavement |
| topic_autocomplete | Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Cabo Verde Casa da Índia Council of the Faith and Treasury Customs Post Establishment Diu Enslaved African Labour Estado da Índia India Trade Regulation João de Brito Mountainous Region Deployment Mozambique Palaeographic complexity Physical Damage Portuguese Colonial Administration Portuguese Colonial Archives Royal Commission Transoceanic Enslavement |
| topic_facet | Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino Cabo Verde Casa da Índia Council of the Faith and Treasury Customs Post Establishment Diu Enslaved African Labour Estado da Índia India Trade Regulation João de Brito Mountainous Region Deployment Mozambique Palaeographic complexity Physical Damage Portuguese Colonial Administration Portuguese Colonial Archives Royal Commission Transoceanic Enslavement |
| url | https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/N6WZ27M7/viewer_N6WZ27M7.html |
| zotero_collection_key | 8AN6STDU PAAL2UHW |