1826. Carta de Agostinho Figueira, oficial, para José Guilherme, capitão do Regimento de Infantaria 17.

Letter in code from Agostinho Figueira, officer, to José Guilherme, captain of the 17th Infantry Regiment.

The author, apparently using a code, gives the addressee a list of items that he wants to order.

After D. João VI died (April 1826), D. Pedro approved a Constitution that was opposed by many rebels, and there was a growing political and military turmoil: several rebellions took place in different parts of the country and a group of Spaniards even took action in Alentejo, with support from local Portuguese inhabitants. The expression «Spanish rebels» refers to these men that took action against the new law. In these proceedings, Agostinho Figueira, one Portuguese local, was accused of supporting these «Spanish rebels», together with two other Portuguese military. In the letters they wrote to each other, they used pseudonyms and a disguised calligraphy.

Illustrious Mr. João António dos Santos.

Mr. Rubber Owner.

I'm not sending you the pistols because they've already been sent, as well as a load of luggage: I send you the teapot, 4 teaspoons, 2 tablespoons and a bulb with the nozzle inside. I also send you 11 small cheeses that were left over. All the goods were sent to your family. And I won't send any more cheeses because your brother offered them to the servant and the rest has vanished.

Health, money and yearning to see you.

Today, 7th October, 1826

Me

PS. I send you the seeds, and the papers indicate the quality.