Introduction
Documents presented here come from three different sources: the archives of Milan, the archives of Simancas, and Joseph Ha-Cohen’s chronicle Emek ha- Bakha. The document from Milan, dated from 1589, is a long defense of the Jews’ right to live in Milan sent to Madrid in response to a request by Philip II of Spain who was pondering whether or not to expel the Jews. The task was given to the Spanish governor of Milan, but it is collective work put together by the Senate of Milan, based on the opinions of scholars and theologians, and a series of affidavits from officials and magistrates from across the State of Milan vouching for the Jews of their cities and towns. Nonetheless, in 1591, Philip decided to expel the Jews from Milan. Joseph ha-Cohen’s successor (the “Corrector”) describes, in the second document, how a Milanese Jew, Simon Vidal Sacerdoti, went to Madrid to plead in front of the King. The final group of documents record Simon’s activities in Madrid in 1592, they allow us to get a fuller picture of these dramatic events for the Jews of Milan and compare what was said in Milan to what the Corrector said, to what happened in Madrid. They also provide insight into document composition, since Simon seems to have had the document from Milan with him, but he gives his own version of it. Finally, they raise questions on archival preservation and organization, since those six documents were preserved together in a file and given a sequence of numbers from 33 to 38, even though they cover a timespan of at least 15 months.
Source 1 Translation
Archivio General de Simancas, Secretarias Provinciales 1796#33
[in margin] Simon Vidal de Sacerdoti
To be able to better deliberate some claims on which Simon Vidal de Sacerdoti the Jew has given diverse memorandums to Your Majesty, we have examined again the information that the governor of Milan sent by letter to Your Majesty in the year [15]85 on his [Simon Sacerdoti’s] services and those of Vidal de Sacerdoti his father. This [letter] verifies that in the time of the Wars of Piedmont [Simon Sacerdoti] discovered a treaty that Francesco Bernardino Vimercato, governor of Valencia for the French, held in Alessandria, for which he was mortally wounded. And that around the same time, he discovered many spies in this city. He went five times to Constantinople on orders of the governors of this state [of Milan] and for secret things in the service of Your Majesty. And he has always been occupied with assignments and negotiations involving secrecy and trust. That likewise in the year [15]78, he discovered a Spanish mutiny in Alessandria that was of great importance, and not less [important was] his having discovered certain Turkish spies in Milan. And that said Vidal, his father, served with the same loyalty his entire life, giving important information and helping with large quantities of weapons and money Spanish men of war during times of need. And due to his house being the first and richest of the Jews of this state [of Milan] it had become a great necessity that the governors of this state always had an account with the father and son, entertaining them and using them for many things due to the satisfaction they derived from their loyalty and diligence. And therefore, it has seemed to the ordinary magistrate that said Simon Vidal was deserving of a reward and thus to increase his lifelong salary [placa muerte?] by three escudos per month, on top of the seven escudos that he already had, so that in total he would receive ten. And the governor and Secret Council concurred on the same, increasing therefore to six escudos per month the salary of three [escudos] that he already had. We are appealing now to Your Majesty to use the fact that fifteen escudos are designated for him, as had his father, and that to Mathias, his brother, six escudos are designated. We plead likewise that her Majesty be served to order that he be paid what had been left behind of his father’s salary with a derogation from the orders. And that he be given part of it here and financial support to pay what he owes and return to his home. Because it has come from private notices of Your Majesty that it cannot be worth more than 20 U: [??] that they have to have from the Chamber of Milan, from the money and weapons that they have lent and [en]trusted in times of need, and from accrued interests.
[in Margin]
Mathasias
Truly the father of said Simon served much and well and has done it in important occasions for which it is fair to recognize that he deserves the [increase] of the [lifelong] salary [placa] that he holds of six escudos to nine or ten per month. Therefore in consideration of this and of all is that owed to all of them; and until they are paid; and that Mathias his brother is owed four escudos per month; and that the Duke of Terranova be instructed to see in which form these and the other Jews be paid; and that he [Simon? Mathasias?] remain as just executor of that which you Majesty has demanded regarding the expulsion of these people
[Back]
Milan
a 22 de Junio 1592
On the subject of Simon Vidal Sacerdoti the Jew
There are here new memorandums that you have given on which there is no need to make a case, only that the agreed upon be complied with. And so be it written to the governor and given the order that they be paid. And with this Simon and his brother, he [the governor] may do that which seems [right to him].
P [Philip II’s initial/signature]
Source 2 Translation
Archivio General de Simancas, Secretarias Provinciales 1796#34
On the 27th of the last month of November, we were served in council by order of Your Majesty an anonymous memorandum, which was given to Your Majesty in which what was given informed Your Majesty of many things against the Jews of this state in order that they be expelled and chased from it. And Your Majesty in her response ordered that the cardinal make the council see this paper and send a dispatch of what should be written to the Condestable because it is proper to finish with these people [Jews of Milan] and expel from here this Vidal, which has been done here as Your majesty has ordered and as Your Majesty has ben able to see through all dispatches that were sent to her regarding all the Jews as well as Vidal and his brother in particular to whom when coming to sign that which concerned him, it was said and ordered to him that he leave right after. But because in the said memorandum said some things are said that are contrary to the truth, which is so right and deals with the royal behavior of Your Majesty, it has not seemed right to the council to stop informing you of that which it is : claims that the Jews of this state have committed robbery, murders, sacrileges, having apostasied a Christian, spread heresies, entered in the monastery of Monjas, as is expounded in the said memorandum. It comes from a person, either with little information on the truth, or who wanted with that which is not [the truth], move Your Majesty to order to expel the Jews from this state, as if for this [expelling] it were necessary that part of these preceding causes be true. For whose [their/the Jews] punishment Your Majesty has her justices, and for ordering to expel them without damage to the royal and sovereign power of Your Majesty there is no need to base it on reasons such as those, especially [reasons] that aren’t certain as so few in the said memorandum are. It is said, in addition to this, to have preferred the debt of the Jews. Because if it is just and confessed, for no time cannot nor should the debts be annulled, and if it is not [just and confessed], there is no necessity to allege their annulment to stop paying. On all of this, it has seemed right to the council to inform Your Majesty according to that which she was served to order regarding that which concerns the Jews. 7 December 1592.
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Milan, 1592
Response to that which Your Majesty wanted to hear concerning the document without signature that was given to you regarding the Jews of the state of Milan.
I was warned of all that was said and it is very good that the orders be executed, if they haven’t yet been. P [Philip II signature]
Source 3 Translation
Archivio General de Simancas, Secretarias Provinciales 1796#35
Señor
Your Majesty was served the previous months by commanding that the Jews of the state of Milan leave with an order that firstly they be completely compensated for the credit that they hold with the Chamber of Milan for money with which they have helped and weapons in times of great need. And on that which concerns their expulsion from the state, Simon Sacerdoti says in the name of the University of said Jews that although the order of Your Majesty is very precise, they do not wish to give up on explaining to Your Majesty some reasons of Justice which are so pure and Christian and religious and of such importance that they will easily be enough to move Your Majesty from this resolution and to disabuse his sanctity and benevolence if perhaps there were in this order some error.
The first reason is that all the laws—divine and humane, civil and canonical— accept and promise cohabitation and conversation of Jews with Christians.[^1] Moreover there are many doctors, scholars and theologians of high quality who conclude that it [cohabitation] is necessary and that they cannot be expelled without offending Christian charity and the Majesty of God.[^2] Meanwhile they live quietly and without scandal as the poor Jews of the state of Milan have always lived, as is known by sworn testimony. And the reason that they cannot be expelled is that they represent the passion of Christ. And another that Christians and their own princes are obligated to promote the conversion of the Jews and bring them down to the saintly faith,[^3] aware that they have an origin of truth and are called, sheep of Jesus. Even for redemption without the baptismal waters, their conversion cannot have an effect without the conversation, with which it is possible to easily urge them and convert them, as it can be seen with effect every day throughout Christianity. And particularly in the said state of Milan where every day they convert and entire families have converted, as is known by sworn testimony and can be felt. And Simon Vidal himself has two sisters and one brother, and male and female cousins, and nephews and nieces who have returned [to Christ] and had they been in the lands of the Turks or the Moors neither them, nor others would have converted. And so, the laws say that expelling the Jews from [Christian] states is an abuse of Christian religion which reasons are of such importance that it is not possible to believe a saintly catholic and benevolent will [animated] Your Majesty if [Your Majesty] neglected to take them [the laws] into consideration and to take example from the popes, not only one, but from all who have been from the Holy Office over here, even though they are called vicars of Christ, not only do they not expel the Jews, but rather give them comfort, allowing them to live not only in the states of the Church but in the Rome where they live in large numbers with privileges and accommodations in order that they not leave so that they can be converted little by little. And Your Majesty should not take example on the King Don Ferdinando who expelled the Jews from Spain, which many, including many scholars, conclude in saying that it was not a good deed for many reasons and respects, even though there was an occasion for it [the expulsion] for there were many [Jews] in Spain and this could result in a scandal, likewise in that which touches upon religion and other particularities. But those reasons cease concerning the said Jews of the state of Milan for they are few and have always lived and live quietly and without scandals, that in the hundreds of years that they have cohabitated in the said state never has a bad thing been seen or heard of them, nor a complaint, as can be seen by the sworn testimonies from the very places where they have lived and live as was transmitted to Your Majesty in the information sent by the Duke of Terranova.
The second cause to consider is the service that Your Majesty receives as a result of their [the Jews’] habitation. And even though it is nothing in consideration to the greatness of Your Majesty, it is such that other Christian princes make much of it. Therefore, they [other princes] grant them residency rights and they invite them and search them so that they come to live in their states, and even more so to those who have demonstrated promptness to serve with their farms and lives as have done in general and in particular the poor Jews of the state of Milan with their persons and farms. And especially as Simon Vidal has done during thirty-five years, and as his father during sixty-one years during which there has not been one occasion, big or small, that they have not provided help, as for all Your Majesty has received notice which confirms this in the consulta that the Royal Council of Italy sent Your Majesty in the past months.
The third is that in addition to the service to Your Majesty, there is the service to the towns of the states where they [the Jews] live, likewise for the rentals of the houses where they live as for the maintenance that is sold to them, and many other reasons that are left to be said. And for the said reasons and many others that ought to be considered we come to the royal feet of Your Majesty with all humility, pleading that you be served by avoiding and un-signing [?] the said order to expel the Jews and that you be with the likes of scholars and theologians and with Christian charity in allowing that [the Jews] may live in the said state of Milan under the royal protection of Your Majesty as they have lived in the past on the condition that they provide no occasion for scandal.
And on that which touches on the second paragraph regarding the payment when Your Majesty was firm in her resolution to expel them, Simon Vidal said in the name of his University that in the accounts that were done to them in Milan, they find themselves much aggrieved, attentive to the fact their account has been made only five per cent with the budget that is understood in the decree of Your Majesty of the year 1560 in which for no reason or equity that can be understood given the quality of their honorable credit, and attentive to the fact that their privileges were granted by the Cardinal of Trento, then governor of Milan, confirmed by Your Majesty, and entered to the record by the Senate of Milan with derogatory clauses to the said decree of the year 1560. And of anything contrary to the said privileges, it is neither just nor honest that they suffer a grievance and damage so significant knowing that the sanctity and benevolence of Your Majesty requires that they be entirely satisfied and paid that which is fairly due to them. Pleading humbly that Your Majesty be served by ordering that on this they be given justice and offering to remain summarily with that which your excellent council will declare, or the senate of Milan, or any other tribunal that the better Your Majesty be served, given that it is a thing so just and honest that they await from the royal clemency and goodness of Your Majesty. And, Your Majesty, having ordered that the Jews leave the said state, your royal council does not wish to see this memorandum so as to not go against the will of Your Majesty, except with your special order. Therefore the said Vidal pleads in the name of the said University that to order to consider the reasons contained in this memorandum and order that they return to consult on on it and that they receive grace and mercy and justice.
[back] the University of the Jews
Footnotes
[^1] ex. de iude toto titO 1 christianis C. de paga
[^2] d. 1. christianis ibi Doc. Oldr. Alex. Paris. Et alii relati in apostil. ad Alex. Cons. 13 lib. 7. Rola Val. in cons. 25. vol. 3. ubi in spe loquitur de iudeis estatus Mli
[^3] Alb. In c0 q. super exdeuot
Source 4 Translation
Archivio General de Simancas, Secretarias Provinciales 1796#36, 37, and 38
Not dated but filed with 1796-33, 34 and 35
(1796#36)
Simon Vidal Sacerdote hebreo
Señor
Simon Vidal Sacerdote says that a Jew has offered to give the true secret to “sweeten” the salty water of the sea at little cost and with ease and that it will last months and years very well. And because the said Jew is not to come to this court: he pleads Your Majesty, because it is a thing of such great importance for your royal fleets, to order the governor that he understand this affair so that it be given a reward that is fair. After having become aware of the said secret, which in addition to being great will provide a real service to You Majesty, the said Vidal will receive a reward for dealing with the said secret and those who [brought it] to light.
[in margin]
The secret to make sea water “sweet”
(1796#37)
Simon Vidal Hebreo
Señor
Simon Vidal has been in this court being much needed. It has been already thirteen months that he is in this [court] without receiving a single maravedi of support for the costs [of his stay]. And he finds himself in extreme necessity: he pleads Your Majesty to grace him with some support for the costs to sustain him until he is dispatched so that he be able to return to his home where he will receive reward and grace from Your Majesty.
[in margin] demand of support for the costs
(1796#38)
Simon Vidal Sacerdote hebreo
Señor
It has been fifteen months since Simon Vidal Sacerdote the Jew has left his home to come to the feet of Your Majesty to give an account to him on certain things that happen in his royal service as he has given part to Don Cristobal de Mora. [Portuguese politician and diplomat who served at the court of Philip II]
He has given a memorial and account of his services of thirty-five years and of his father of sixty-one years in things of such importance related to the governor of Milan. And your Majesty has transmitted this to the Council of Italy which has consulted. And this consulta is in the hands of the Count of Chinchon [one of the great noble families of Spain; Count Diego Fernandez de Cabrera y Bobadilla] as they say. Having been here in great need not knowing who to turn to but to the royal feet of Your Majesty: To whom he humbly pleads that he [the king] be served by ordering to see his [Simon’s] consulta with giving him the reward that so many and so great services during so many years deserve. And that he can be promised the greatness of Your Majesty so that he can return to his home for he will serve You Majesty more from there than from here and that he will receive good and reward.
[in margin] that his consulta be resolved
Source 5 Translation
Archivio di Stato di Milano, Fondo Culto 2159, Fasc. 1
Instructions and statements in favor of the Jews of the State of Milan to inform her Majesty of the execution of the request in her letter of April 25th 1589. To the illustrious Governor of the State of Milan.
Although the article is very clear that the Jews who are living well, not only cannot be prohibited to live in Christian lands, but instead they should be allowed to do so and as first even clearer proof, we add the decision in the law Christianis C de paganis. And this law was enacted by the emperors Honorio and Theodosio, because even if they were Christians they had knowledge of the light of truth and true Christian orthodox faith, by this law it is prohibited to Christians to abuse the Christian Religion including to torment Jews under penalty of receiving the same abuse but doubled, and the same sentence would be given to Judges and governors of the provinces that would not give the said penalty to those abusing Jews. What is read here is called to abuse Christian religion by tormenting the Jews. There are many other laws and canons about this, that are omitted to be concise. But we cannot leave out the saint cannons made by the Saint Fathers and Highest Popes, which concern most of these specific cases, where one can read many dispositions concerning the Jews, as you can see in all the titles ex. de Iude, which would be superfluous if their [the Jews’] right to live here wasn’t permitted by the Saint Fathers and the law doesn’t allow any superfluousness, as is mentioned in the prima constitutione civitatis, from which it is understood that the [Jews’] habitation is permitted by reason. This is demonstrated even more clearly by the following facts, that the Jews not only have always and continually been allowed to live in the jurisdictions of secular princes throughout Christianity, but also in the lands of the Holy Church, in the same city where the Popes live and where they have temporal jurisdiction, as is more clearly demonstrated in the opinion of the illustrious and revered Cardinal Vitellio Camerario Apostolico of January 25th 1568 that states that the Holy, of happy memory, Pope Pio Quinto, from the day he was elected Pope to the day of this opinion, has always and continually allowed and tolerated that Jews stay, live and lend in the Provinces, Cities and Castles, and nearby places directly or indirectly subjected to the Holy Roman Church, and that the said Illustrious and Revered Camerario indistinctly gives and concedes a license to all the Jews who want to stay, live, and lend through his letter patent signed earlier. Likewise, in a similar opinion of the Illustrious and revered Cardinal Caetano Camerario Apostolico of February 18th 1588 in which it appears that in the lands of the Holy Church, the license to live and work is given to Jews with the approval of judges, and this could be given to the State of Milan if this were King Philip’s will sign. 2a. And so, on the basis of these two foundations, namely the dispositions of the law and its observance, it is clearly understood that Jews should not be prohibited from living here.
A third foundation is added, which is taken from the most common opinions of Doctors who write on this matter, that the Jews should not be expelled, as long as they behave in a good manner as it is following Oldrado, Alessandro, Iasone, Parisio and others linked in the letter to Alex. consi. 13 col. 4 in the 7th vol. and Marsil consi. 101 num. 56 attesta Antonio Corsetti in the tracta. de Iude parte pri. cap. 7 Martin Lauden. in tracta. de Princip quest. and in the own terms of the Jews living in the State of Milan; and in consil. Rolan. Da Valle 25 in 3 vol. And that the Jews behave modestly and without scandal, without being accused of crimes or a scandalous thing is proven by the opinions that follow.
One by the Illustrious Don Rafael Mandrich with his seal, [stating] that the Jews living in Cremona behave modestly, deal with Christians with respect and reverence, that they have helped the soldiers with convenience and courtesy, and during the transit of Princes [through Milan] they would give them utensils and things as presents. Sign. A.
One by Sig. Bernardino Lodi, actuary of the Subconservatore of the Jews of Cremona, written in good [legal?] faith, [stating] that the Jews living there act with modesty against their debtors, and sought to delay the executions of [debts?] conceded to them. Sign. B.
One by Sig. Francesco Corbelino, actuary Criminal of Cremona, written in good faith, [stating] that the Jews living there live quietly and do not contravene to the orders and decrees of superiors. Sign. C.
One by the Magistrate Signori Vicario, Judge and accountant of Pavia, [stating] that the Jews living there live quietly, accommodating anyone dealing with them. Sign. D.
One by Christoforo da Corte, actuary of the Subconservatore of the Jews of Pavia, same as the previous one. Sign. E.
One by the Mag. Signori Decurione of Lode, written in good faith, [stating] that the Jews living there are ready to lend for free and give as presents utensils and stuff to the Princes and Lords visiting Lode, and that they are generous [loving?] in their businesses and are behaving well. Sign. F.
One by Francesco Bondena, actuary of the Sub-curator of the Jews of Lode, written in good faith, confirming the previous letter. Sign. G.
One by Sig. Francesco Prevedono, actuary Criminal of Lode, written in good faith, [stating] that the Jews living there have never been accused of something scandalous in 25 years here. Sign. H.
One by the Rever. Sig. Episcopal Vicar of Alessandria, [stating] that the Jews living in that city live without scandal, behaving modestly with everyone. Sign. I One by the Magistrate Sig. Subconservatore of Alessandria, [stating] that the Jews live quietly, and have been courteous with Christians by giving delays to pay, and remitting interests and expenses, and on occasion gifting utensils and stuff to Princes passing through. Sign. K.
One by the Mag. Sig. Lieutenant of the Mag. Sig. Sindicatore of Alessandria, [stating] that the Jews living there have not been accused of any excesses for many years and are behaving modestly. Sign. L.
One by the Sig. Civil and Criminal Actuaries of Casalmaggiore, written in good faith, [stating] that the Jews living there have lent money for free, and proceed with modesty against debtors, and postpone the executions obtained. Sign. M.
One of the Criminal Notary of Casalmaggiore, written in good faith, [stating] that the Jews living there do not disobey an order or decree from their superiors. Sign. N.
From this you can understand that there is on the above a common opinion that is confirmed by research and that is based on the above laws and cannons.
Fourth [foundation], the conclusion [that Jews shouldn’t be expelled] is strengthened for many reasons, which are persuasive, to which you can add some particular ones from the infinity one could add. The first is that some Jews living here come to know the truth of the Christian faith and so they receive the holy baptism, which pleases our Heavenly Pastor that his sheep are well looked after, and so we have to care for the conversion of the Jew, Abb in cap. quod super ex. de vot., and this cannot be done otherwise than through cohabitation, which, for this reason, we must concede. Second is that the Jews inscribed to memory the passion of our Lord and Saviour, [come rei de quella], and in their books the truth of our Christian Faith is prefigured Fel. et Soc. in cap. consuluit ex de Iude. Third, also that the Jews are lambs of Christ by creation, not by redemption. If with the holy baptism they do not attain salvation, they are invited to the Evangelical table both the good and the evil, even though the ones who do not have the nuptial dress are still banished. So, since they are invited by the holy creator and live by the figure of our faith, we ought not to prohibit them from living here.
Fourth, that we are obliged to give alms also to poor Jews cap. quescamus 42 distinct., and that this cannot be considered natural discourse if not with the residency of the Jews in our cities, since otherwise we cannot be informed of their poverty and needs.
Fifth, this stance is strengthened by considering he Jews’ usefulness to the people of His Catholic Majesty, since they rent the houses to the Jews that would otherwise remain empty, and they rent for more expensively to the Jews: they also sell them their fruits, grain, live[stock?], and other things needed to dress and furniture for the house. Her Catholic Majesty should not make little of this, rather she should favor and help her subjects, and give them all the conveniences so they can remain [solvable?] and as rich as possible, given that these subjects [the Jews] when they get more from their revenue and when they get richer, they are even more able and suitable to pay the taxes owed to her Majesty.
Sixth, we should not omit from this the [jews’] manifold utility to her M.R.C. which, in addition to the other [reasons], is convenient to consider.
First that her cities are more populous and are richer with the Jews living there, dd. in l. l. ff. sol. matr. Second, that her taxes are higher with the Jews, because of their use, namely of a machine, for the wine, meat and similar things needed to human life, and that some merchants pay every year a large sum of money in taxes.
And that the shops of the Jews result in great utility to His Majesty in taxes, as shown in the written opinions.
One of the assistants to the taxes in Milan [says] that the Jews have given and give the greatest utility in taxes. Sign. O.
One from a public notary written in good faith by a tax collector of Cremona that [says] as the previous one. Sign. P.
One from the tax collector of Pavia that [says] as the previous one. Sign. Q.
One from a public notary written in good faith by the tax collectors of Lode saying the same. Sign. R.
One from the tax collector of Alessandria of the same content. Sign. S.
One from a public notary written in good faith by the tax collector of Casal Maggiore saying the same as the previous ones. Sign. T.
One from a public notary written in good faith by the tax collector of Pizighitone saying the same thing as the previous ones. Sign U.
Second, that her Catholic Majesty has, when needed, used the help of the Jews for 30 years by now, not only did they pay her for the license to lend at interest and to not have a sign differentiating them from Christians, they also lent her Majesty a lot of money, as will be said below, of which they remain creditors, and this money was given away in times of urgent necessity, when there were no Christians that could have served such [a large] sum; and to this we add that every time Christians have served in similar circumstances, they have wanted to recoup extremely high interests, and they wanted an very certain and very strong guarantee, as is well known. But the Jews have served without problems, for her [Majesty] greatest convenience with the interests they asked, and against the Jews, other than not having interest, they have lent so much money with inconvenience, damage and ruin to themselves, because some of them, for this reason, have remained very poor and miserable, so much that they have nothing to live from, except for what they gain with their industriousness. Third, that with the Jews’ residency her MRC rewards two well-deserving [men] making them conservators, to whom the taxes of the Jews for residency and usury are paid, and if her MRC did not reward these well-deserving [men] thus, she would have to reward them with what belongs to her MRC, so for this obvious usefulness to MRC together with all the others it appears clearly that the Jews should not be prohibited from living in this state. Nor is there danger of carnal relationships between Jews and Christians, because to this the answer is that this suspicion lasted until the time that the legge Christianis was issued, and many cannons like the above, and many lawmakers and conditori di canoni made many such laws and cannons. And if you want to search in the criminal trials of this state, you will not find one concerning such an accusation against any Jew, because they are so persecuted (if not of other [things], they are very afraid of being persecuted or sentenced) that they abstain entirely, and any suspicion ceases. But even though the law has to accommodate more frequent cases, one should not take a crime that an individual could commit, and take advantage from that case to create a general, or universal law against it, instead the suspicion always has to stand against particular individuals, and the presumption ought to be that the majority is behaving well, and by reason one should wait for evidence to change, which is good Ias. in 1.siis ad quem num. 28 de aquir. haered., Alciat. in tracta. de praesumpt. pri. reg. praesump. 30, Soc. Iun, consi. 37. num. 22. in pri. vol.
Even if not having a place limits this conclusion (when well pursued in our case, but which cannot be arranged) when the cause that is good is stronger, as the same Ias. said in the above, you should not doubt that the presumption of the many is stronger than the suspicion, and the presumption of good than that of evil, and especially if there is falsity in it, they [who utter false suspicions] should be severely punished: likewise it is universally permitted to carry a sword, but is not envisaged that someone could commit a crime with it, or a bad operation, for against such criminals one goes to trial and they should be given the just punishment.
And to obey that which her Majesty commands, the number of Jews living in the State of Milan: it is said that in total they are 889. 456 in Cremona, 123 in Pavia, 130 in Lode, 103 in Alessandria, 71 in Casal Maggiore, 6 in Caravaggio.
For these reasons, we conclude that we cannot prohibit them from living in Christian lands.
Source 6 Translation
Joseph ha-Kohen, Sefer Emeq Ha-Bakha, Karin Almbladh, ed. (Uppsala, 1981), 112.
There was a Jew in Alessandria by the name of Samuel [Simon] ha- Kohen. He offered to go to Spain on behalf of the Jews to plead for his fatherland… . [A]fter he arrived in Spain, he conferred with the councilors about the plight of the Jews. He even succeeded in getting all the way into the palace where the King and his highest ministers were. He spoke in the name of the Jews and asked why he planned to deal in this way with his servants who had assisted him and his father in times of trial. He said that they were still ready today to help him with as much and more for the poor and indigent in case this became necessary, and that they could bring witnesses to justify them. But if the king had once decided to expel them, he would then demand, in the name of the Jews, that he first repays them what they could rightfully claim; for this is what justice demanded.