El nombramiento del alcalde de sacas en Gipuzkoa y el caso de Zizurkil: la “Carta de un ferrón del río Urola a su corresponsal de San Sebastián” (1755)

Abstract

The election of the alcalde de sacas who was to control the entry and
exit of prohibited products, notably through the Beobia pass, was a very
signifi cant event given the importance of the task, as it refl ected the great
confi dence that the Monarchy had in the Province. From 1475, when the
Catholic Monarchs handed over the offi ce of mayor of sacas to the Province,
until 1780, when the last changes in the election of the mayor were agreed,
there were several agreements and adjustments made by the Juntas, the fi rst
of which was in 1748. Under its regulation, the town of Cizúrquil was given
the mayor’s offi ce, but the election of a resident of Asteasu as mayor led
the town to claim it before the Council. The process of adapting the various
methods of choice and the problems that arose in Cizúrquil are studied here,
both through an offi cial documentary analysis and the contribution of a letter
(attached) that unoffi cially explains the events developed by its notary, Don
Miguel Antonio de San Millán.