Syntactic Trees

Private letter from Antónia Rosa, prisoner, to José Luís da Silva, tradesman

The author tries to convince the recipient to meet her, in order to talk about an impending danger.

António Silvestre Alvarez, his sister Antónia Rosa and José Luís da Silva, a tradesman, were accused of manufacturing counterfeit currency. The letters written by Antónia Rosa were addressed to José Luís da Silva and were found with one of the defendants.

«Sir.

Perhaps you’ll find quite reparable the fact that I take this fragile quill to write my weak impressions, directing them to your tender heart, so it can be of some help in the misery that is to come to your poor daughter, who prefers losing her life rather than the company of such an affectionate father. Perhaps you don’t know my handwriting, so I’ll reveal you my identity. I’m the daughter of João António and Gertrudes dos Prazeres, their oldest daughter, whose name is Antónia Rosa and who promises, under oath, to tell you a secret that might save your life. However, you must do me this favour: come here around ten o’clock in the morning or four o’clock in the afternoon. I hope you’re so merciful not to miss the meeting. The reason is that I’ll be alone and we can talk at ease, according to my will and yours. Don’t fail me; I hope to meet you and I wish you well,

Antónia Rosa»