1818. Carta de José Joaquim da Silva Leitão, presbítero secular, para Luís António de Novais Coelho, presbítero secular.

Private business letter from José Joaquim da Silva Leitão, a priest, to Luís António de Novais Coelho, also a priest.

The author confirms that he was an eye witness to a certain case in Monsanto, involving forged testimonies. He tells the addressee that the guilt is with those that want to rule outside their own land. He asks the confirmation of some received money, having to do with the case.

Joaquim de Paiva was accused of the felonies of resistance and mutiny. He was a farmer who lived in the small town of Monsanto. With the other farmers, he presented a complaint about a judge and his associates, who had killed for meat the town reproduction bull. The consequence was that some forged papers and some false witnesses (bribed prostitutes and friends to the judge) were presented in order to prosecute Joaquim de Paiva. But he proved the false evidence and was set free.