Syntactic Trees

Unsigned letter to João Nunes, new Christian, merchant.

The author cuts relations with his brother, because he forged intrigues against him. He orders him to take the necessary steps to solve all the remaining bills between them.

This letter had been written at the request of an inmate of a jail in Estremoz, who lost it during the transfer to the prison of the Evora Inquisition. The prisoner was João Mendes Bulhão, half new christian, teaseler, 46, born and resident in Estremoz, accused of Judaism.

«Sir. I have asked and begged you a few times to leave me alone. You continued with your whim, affronting me, dishonouring me, embarrassing me and talking about me everywhere, either by words or letters to whom you wish. I must warn you, as a friend, that a man who goes with the demons is separated from God and has lost hope of returning to Him soon, may the demon not compel you to do things that take the devil to be with you and you with him. However, you don't need to feel sorry for me, nor the cousin, since I don't want any medicine if it is given by you. All I want is that you, with much diligence, make your calculations and send me them free from all your debts in Portugal and my debts in Brazil, from what I've given you and what you've left me. And if after doing this we conclude that there is money for me to pay my debts in Brazil, give me debts to collect and pay what I owe with that money. I don't want anything else from you, I've never wanted. It's hard for me that you present this as being true, not only in Portugal, but also in Brazil, but since I've always defended myself by saying I didn't want anything from you, that's enough for me. Please do this as soon as possible, because, if there's no money to pay my debts, I'll know what to do.»