Restoration of important corsair documents at the Notarial Archives
Through the united efforts of the Malta Historical Society and the Notarial Archives Foundation, three volumes pertaining to corsairing activities in Malta and the Mediterranean have been for the last few months undergoing professional conservation treatment. This sponsored treatment amounted to the sum of €1,500 which was generously donated by the Malta Historical Society.
The selected three manuscripts form part of the collection of Corsair documents held at the Notarial Archives. Each one concerns the Verbale e Vendita di Effetti e Schiavi of Capitano Michele Picasso and Capitano Guglielmo Lorenzi. The volumes date to the late eighteenth century, from 1787 to 1791. These contain interesting details which shed light on the workings of these popular corsairing activities in the eighteenth century. An interesting feature is the inclusion of daily travel logs of various corsair expeditions. The volumes also contain some Turkish documents which were confiscated from enemy ships. Another highlyprized feature is the signature of historical figures like the same Guglielmo Lorenzi who, together with Dun Mikiel Xerri, was executed by the French on 17 January 1799. The manuscripts also include several detailed auction lists of slaves. Other lists shed light on the type of food taken on board and on the armaments of ships such as cannoni, trombone a cavalletto, trombone a mano, pistole, and bandoliere.
Conservation treatment on the three volumes has now been completed and measures have been taken to ensure their preservation for the benefit of future generations of researchers and the general public. The Notarial Archives Foundation greatly appreciates the Malta Historical Society’s initiative since it had been among the first non-governmental organisations, themselves dependent on the private sector for funding, which supported the Notarial Archives. This sets a perfect example for other organisations, institutions, and companies to be active contributors toward the preservation of these primary sources, which are of utmost importance due to their unique historical value.