1706. Carta de Manuel de Ayala Salcedo para su sobrino Gregorio Páez de Saavedra.

Letter from Manuel de Ayala Salcedo to his nephew Gregorio Páez de Saavedra.

The author encourages his nephew to be more optimistic despite the present situation and he comments on the difficulties the mail is going through.

In 1707, Simón Izquierdo, an apostolic notary, brought an action against Gregorio Páez de Saavedra following an accusation for disloyalty. The defendant requested the trial to be brought before the Military Orders Council, since he was a knight. Despite his petition, he was arrested and taken to Madrid and his properties were seized by order of Simón Izquierdo. Through the hearings of witnesses, Gregorio´s connexions and faults were exposed. On the one hand, it was found out he was the duke of Infantado´s servant, whose cattle he was taking care of; likewise, it was also emphasized his friendship with the count of Corzana, who had recommended him long before he passed through Portugal. Also, some witnesses assured that Gregorio had publically manifested his sympathy and partiality towards the archduke, whom he called Carlos III. As a result of the confiscation of his properties, several letters were seized and the defendant´s brother, Sebastián Páez, was arrested and questioned about Gregorio´s connexions. However, Gregorio argued he was innocent and blamed Simón Izquierdo of intimidating and turning the witnesses against him. There was then a proceeding against Simón Izquierdo, Bartolomé de Jaraquemada and Domingo Pacheco, who was appointed as Gregorio Páez´s seized revenues administrator. The latter run away before having to declare about his administration. Simon Izquierdo´s machinations with the witnesses were uncovered thanks to a memorial and some letters presented before the tribunal. Besides, other witnesses corroborated the previous enmity between Bartolomé de Jaraquemada and Gregorio Páez resulting from a favour of the latter with the duke of Infantado. Gregorio Páez tried to be economically compensated, claiming not only his seized properties, but also what Simón Izquierdo had spent when he used his house in Colmenar Viejo.