LETTRE AU MARQUIS FLORES D'AVILA

Sasportas, Yaho (Jacob)

Numéro d'objet:	22478
Catégorie:	Vie communautaire
Technique:	Encre
Origine:	Oran
Date:	1637
Support:	Papier à la cuve

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AUTOGRAPH LETTERS BY YAHO SASPORTAS (= RABBI JACOB SASPORTAS?)LEADERS OF THE SEPHARDIC JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ORAN (ALGIERS), MEMBER OF THE PROMINENT, ANCIENT SEPHARDI SASPORTAS FAMILY
Document 1: autograph letter by Yaho (= Yacob = Jacob) Sasportas
Description of the document
Brown ink on paper. 2 leaves (31.5 x 21.3 ems) + 2 coverleaves (32 x 21. 7 ems). In good condition.
Three different handwritings:
1. 18th_19th century archive note of classification on coverleaf(a bit faded): “Estado de Flores Davila" , "H 6, Legajo 90" [= Estate of [the Marquis] Flores de Avila], [Document 90]
2. 17th I 18th century by other Spanish cursive hand, on coverleaf (a bit faded but legible), it is a summary of the content of the letter by Yaho Sasportas:
Traduzion de vna carta I del alcayde Yuyef I que lo es de Tremezen. y su jurisdizion, dirigida al Ex[ celentisi]mo senor I Marques de flores Dauila de/ cuia orden se hizo en la forma/ siguiente. -/ [ ... ]
Translation of a letter of the Alcaide ofTlemcen and his jurisdiction Yuçef, addressed to his Excellency Senor the Marquis of Flores d 'Avila, made by me on his Order. in the following manner: [ . .]
3. 17th century Spanish cursive, the main letter text, signed by Yaho Caportas (alternatively pronounced/spelled as Sasportas, Sasporta and Saporta), fo1. 1 recto - fot 2 Yerso.
Content
Autograph report signed by Yaho Sasportas, Royal Translator to the King of Spain, addressed to the Marquis of Flores Davila, dated Oran, 5 February 1637
Translation of a letter by the Arab military governor of Tlemcen,. Yuçef, addressed to the Governor of the Spanish stronghold of Oran, with a commentary by Yaho Sasportas in his function of royal translator and charge d' affaires of the Marquis de Flores Davila Containing:
The translated letter by Yuçef including:
•a praise to the Marquis de Flores Davila for his support of the Arab ally Luati ibn Hamu; and for his help against Hamed ibn Zayd
•the gift of a Lion, from the palace of Luati ibn Hamu, as a token of his gratitude towards the Marquis, symbolizing also the courage of his Spanish ally
The remarks by Yaho Sasportas containing:
• the authentification of the translation by Yaho Sasportas
.the gift, in return, of a precious hat, handkerchiefs, very fine clothing, a silver tobacco box and tobacco chest, all highly refined and expensive presents, bought and sent by Sasportas on the instruction of the Marquis; the expenses forwarded by Yaho Sasportas
•the report of the extraordinary gratitude of the governor ofTlemcen, Yuçef, even permitting the sale of wheat from Tlemcen to the Spanish troops, which appears to be an exceptional gesture of sympathy by an Arab ally towards the Spaniards.
Apart from its interest as a letter written possibly by the later Haham Jacob Sasportas, this letter is of extraordinary interest for its precious details on the refined diplomacy between the Spaniards and the Arab princes in 17th century North Africa. At the same time, the accompanying report by Sasportas demonstrates that his highly prestigious position as Royal Translator to the Spanish Crown was by far not limited to the passive exercise of translating Arabic texts, but that he was an influential, wealthy person, and a key intermediary between the Arab princes and the Spanish King.

Bibliographie:

Jewish Encyclopedia, vol.11
Barrios, Daniel, Triumpho del govierno popular
Hirschberg, History of the jews in North Africa