GIO PIO DE PIRO arrived in the grain city of Licata on the morning of July 22

GIO Pio De Piro'
The Wheat Embassador

Gio Pio in his early years

Gio pio arrived in the grain city of Licata on the morning of July 22,1703. He had been escorted to Sicily by two galleys of the Order of St John and their captains had orders to assist the ambassador with the safe deposit of the silver he carried. With good reason, as the money was to be used to purchase grain for the population of the Maltese Islands. Upon landing, he reported to the Grand Master that "as Minister of your Serene Highness I have been greeted with great courtesy by the public". Notwithstanding this encouraging welcome, Gio Pio immediately found himself in an embarrassing situation. The sacks containing the money had to be weighed. Each sack contained exactly 400 scudi, but the weight was found to be lacking. The officials pointed out that according to the regulations of the Kingdom every sack was underweight by eight ounces. The issue was neatly solved by the ambassador by redistributing the silver scudi in much smaller sacks well within the prescribed weight.1 The second problem which De Piro had to face was not that easy to solve. In Sicily "the climate and soil were suitable for a very low type of wheat… which gave a poor yield and was not easy to mill, but it had a very high gluten content and it grew well in a hot climate with little rain".2 The ambassador immediately reported that in Licata he only found 2,000 salme of stored grain from the crop of the previous year and that the current yield was not expected to exceed 6,000 salme. Even if he was to buy all the available grain, this would only account for roughly a quarter of Malta's needs. The quantity was not the only hurdle which De Piro had to overcome. Initially the suppliers fixed the price at 44 scudi per salma. When he went to Girgenti, another centre for the sale of grain, the price had been increased to 45 scudi. As the opportunity arose to purchase in the square, in piazza - an option not unlike today's commodity purchases on the spot market - the ambassador found to his dismay that the going rate had climbed to 50 scudi. Although the stakes were high, De Piro was prudent, securing by end September 1703 about a third of the required grain at a price averaging around 47 scudi.3

A bound volume in the possession of the present Baron De Piro entitled "Letters, having been appointed Ambassador in Licata on behalf of the Università of Malta" is the best available evidence relating to the workings of this office. This document, written by Dr Gio Pio De Piro himself, is divided into two parts. The first consists of copies of letters which the Ambassador periodically sent to Malta addressed to the Grand Master, the Senescalco, and the Giurati. Through the voluminous correspondence dating from July 22, 1703 up to May 25, 1706 the ambassador kept all these authorities continually informed on all aspects relating to the wheat trade. The second part of the volume consists of accounts. All purchases are registered chronologically, subdivided into three sections entitled Palermo, Messina, and Other Parts of the Kingdom. From one of the letters it transpires that the funds required to purchase the wheat were shipped on different occasions, only half the bullion having been sent under the ambassador's custody. It can easily be surmised that this strategy was based on security. In September 1703 the galleys had to deliver a further consignment of 18,000 silver scudi but the vessels could not enter port because of bad weather and had to remain some 20 miles out at sea. To complicate matters the fleets of England and Holland were known to be in the vicinity. The militias of the towns and those of the countryside were summoned to active duty and when finally the combined fleets were spotted offshore, the whole Sicilian population was called to arms. Fortunately the galleys of the Order did not encounter these fleets and the sacks of silver were delivered the following month.4

This must have been a relief for Gio Pio in more ways than one. The ambassador, who was also referred to as the grain procurator, Procuratore dei Grani, enjoyed several benefits, but perhaps the most attractive was his commission, which amounted to ten grani on every salma purchased. In view of the quantities involved this commission could amount to thousands of scudi. The ambassador was entrusted with enormous sums, and embezzlement carried heavy penalties, imprisonment and a minimum fine of 10,000 scudi. One of the credentials for the appointment was wealth, as it was argued that the temptation to misappropriate was less likely to affect a wealthy ambassador. The galleys which delivered the funds would then escort the grain ships back to Malta. One must note that wheat was Malta's life-line. In fact, anyone caught re-exporting grain from Malta was sentenced to death.5 The ships could not set sail from Sicily before a special export licence was issued. The ambassador would write to the Bailiff at Palermo requesting such authorisation. The permit in turn would be given by the Port Master. The supplies could not be shipped immediately, as according to regulations 20 days had to expire from the date of such authorisation before the voyage could be undertaken. On this occasion the date set was October 22, 1703. As soon as the grain ships were loaded, the galleys of the Order would enter port and the convoy would then set sail back to Malta on due date,6 so as to unload the wheat for storage in the innumerable underground granaries excavated by the 17th century Grand Master de Redin. During the last days of 1703, Gio Pio De Piro wrote to Grand Master Perellos. Full of praise and words of gratitude, there is no indication as to what prompted this eulogy. In the letter's margin however there is an interesting entry: "the occasion merits a gift of half a quintale of coffee and two of rice." De Piro must have had good reason to celebrate the substantial presents. In turn Perellos must have appreciated the gesture, not to mention De Piro's performance, as he subsequently confirmed his appointment as ambassador to Licata.7

The selection of the Wheat Ambassador was carried out in a very formal manner, according to rules laid down by Grand Master Lascaris. The Consiglio Popolare or People's Council was only a shadow of its former self, but it did retain the residual function of electing a representative entrusted with the purchase of grain from Sicily. The members of the two Università, that of Notabile and the countryside and that of Valletta and the harbour cities, met together in a Grand Hall of the High Court, alternating between the respective High Courts of Notabile and Valletta. The Seneschal, in effect the Grand Master's Chief Executive, presided after taking his place at the judges' tribune. All the participants were styled counsellors; these had to take their place in order of precedence in one of the two aisles depending on whether they formed part of the Università of Notabile or Valletta. Before the voting got under way the doors were bolted and the ushers had to state "in a loud voice" that they had notified all the counsellors with the correct time, date and location of the meeting. In addition to the counsellors, past ambassadors, former Capitani della Verga and retired Giurati had the right to participate in the vote as did all feudatories. It was however stated that it was necessary that the latter were correctly notified. The vote was to be taken by secret ballot. Each participant had to hold his vote in an open hand secured between two fingers, the arm stretched high above the head. The vote was then to be deposited in one of the two urns- prepared for the occasion and which had to be placed on either side of a table situated between the counsellors, effectively separating the two aisles.

Voting was taken concurrently "to avoid problems relating to precedence". Only one name and surname had to be written on the vote "and not three or four as had happened on previous occasions". After all the counsellors had cast their vote the contents of both urns were mixed. The number of votes cast were then count- ed and tallied with the number distributed. If everything was in order, the Master Notary read the names "in a voice audible to all" and on completion of this task the number of votes obtained by each candidate was declared.

The names of the four who obtained the highest vote were then forwarded to the Grand Master who would choose the "Wheat Ambassador". This detailed document8 also contains the list of counsellors who were entitled to attend the council and their precedence. The Mdina Università was headed by the Capitano della Verga while that of the harbour towns by the Secreto. The Giurati of both Università and the principal members in judicial, fiscal, administrative, legal and medical fields were included. Local officials called Contestabili representing almost 30 towns and villages were equally divided between the two bodies. On the other hand the four trade guilds of goldsmiths, black- smiths, tailors, and carpenters are grouped under the Valletta Università. Ex officio members were slightly more than 120 in all.

Gio Pio De Piro, who had not at- tended the selection process, was delighted with his reappointment. The prospects for 1704, however, did not appear bright. The crops in some areas had suffered irreparable damage because of hail storms and locusts. De Piro spent that autumn travelling from Licata to Girgenti to Palermo making purchases even of the smallest quantities. The scarcity was pushing the price up to 50 scudi per salma. Towards the end of 1704 the going rate had reached 57 scudi. Despite his efforts, the Wheat Ambassador was unable to secure all the supplies needed for a year, which were about 30,000 salme, and he had to confess that he was short by almost 2,800 salme.9

Anna Antonia Gourgion, De piro's bride

Prices continued to spiral and reached 62 scudi in Girgenti by the beginning of 1705. At Licata the price was always slightly lower, by roughly one scudo, however so was the quality. The ambassador kept accurate accounts as he was well aware of the consequences of malpractice. On one occasion a Procuratore dei Grani, Monte Albano by name, fell under suspicion and the Grand Master ordered his lawyers and 17 soldiers to raid his residence. Incriminating papers were seized and Monte Albano imprisoned.

He had no chance of escape as the guards were threatened "with life on the galleys" should the disgraced ambassador manage to abscond.10 Lorenzo Ubaldesco De Piro, better known as Ubaldesco, was a Conventual Chaplain and Archdeacon of the Cathedral. He was also the father of Gio Pio, having taken the vows after his wife's death. He visited his son with a timing that couldn't be worse. The situation at Licata, because of the grain shortage, was becoming uncontrollable.

Riots were breaking out. The ambassador was no longer a welcome guest. The De Piro family escaped to Girgenti and sought refuge in the Castle. The Archdeacon was entrusted to look after his daughter-in-law Anna and her children. Gio Pio rushed to Palermo in his endeavours to purchase whatever grain might have been hoarded on the black market. His letters portray pictures of great disorder and widespread discontent. The Grand Master, in two separate letters dated April 1, 1705, addressed to Ubaldesco and Gio Pio respectively, expresses "his infinite sorrow" at the deplorable state of affairs which had overwhelmed the Kingdom of Sicily.11 By the time the letters reached the De Piros, the situation had somewhat stabilised. A delegation had been sent from Palermo to Licata, negotiations held, and some form of compromise reached. Although the shortage of wheat persisted, the general position did not remain acute. Prices started to fall and settled at around 55 scudi per salma.Gio Pio De Piro continued his term of office at least up to the middle of 1706.12

Although his tour of duty was very hectic, he found no difficulty in blending with the Sicilian way of life. In one letter he states that "he felt at home in Licata". This comes as no surprise as he spoke and wrote Italian fluently and one version of the origins of his family is that the De Piro's had originally migrated to Malta from mainland Italy. There are two versions relating to the roots of the family. The first is that the De Piro's came to Malta from Rhodes together with the dispossessed Knights; the other less dramatic account emerges from a genealogical table extant in the family archives indicating the Genoese Cosmo as the first De Piro to settle in Malta.13 What is clear however is that both Cosmo and subsequently his first born, Paolo, were well regarded by the Grand Masters. Successively they were appointed in charge of the Order's arsenal and dockyards. This respect is further reflected in the career of Ubaldesco, son of Paolo and father to Gio Pio. In 1676 after only five years of marriage, his wife died and he later took religious vows and became a Conventual Chaplain - an ecclesiastical member of the Order. Grand Masters nominated him their Uditore, or legal adviser, and subsequently gave him the necessary backing for his appointment to the office of Archdeacon pf the Cathedral at Notabile On April 10, 1700 the office of Prior fell vacant. The post was definitely influential. The Cathedral Chapter was convened to select a successor, and two factions emerged. De Piro headed the faction considered to be pro-Order. A certain Canon Mangione was the favourite of the other more conservative faction.

The vote was taken and Mangione obtained ten votes. He was on the verge of being declared Prior when he was asked to identify his vote as he was not allowed to vote for himself. After his refusal, the vote was declared invalid by the Bishop of Malta. The subsequent re-election was frustrated by the absence of several canons including Mangione, who meanwhile had petitioned the Metropolitan Bishop to appoint him Prior. He achieved his aim, but the Order used its influence and the nomination was limited to a two-year period.14 Ubaldesco was very conscious of his son's social position. Gio Pio was courting Anna Antonia, the daughter of the very wealthy Giovanni Gourgion who was soon to be appointed grain ambassador himself, before Gio Pio's appointment. In contemplation of the betrothal on February 27, 1693, Ubaldesco De Piro donated four houses to his son. Exactly seven months later, in accordance with Maltese custom, a matrimonial contract was signed between the future spouses and the marriage celebrated on November 8, 1693. Gio Pio's financial position continued to be strengthened through a number of paternal donations, including one on September 16, 1697 of 3,850 scudi.15

De Piro's nomination to the office of Ambassador at Licata must have enhanced his financial position. Among the privileges he enjoyed was that of not paying taxes. Gio Pio invested his savings in various ventures. He was the proud owner of a ship armed for corsairing. The letters- of- marque were Tuscan and his captain was Francesco Franceschi. On July 28, 1710 he landed 16 slaves valued at 100 scudi each, as well as various items including cotton, biscuits, lead and gunpowder. The whole merchandise was valued at 3,544 scudi.16 It is recorded that Gio Pio De Piro paid the customs official a total of 226 scudi, being duty imposed at the rate of 6.33 per cent. Slave trading was an important aspect of De Piro's business. He bought and sold slaves and this was often regulated by public deed. In 1714 he bought some slaves from a foreign trader called Rais Epifanio. Such contracts continued uninterruptedly until at least 1744, with a certain Valerio Zammit.17

Gio Pio was also a general trader. Probably the earliest bills of lading existing in Malta belong to the present Baron De Piro. One, dated July 29, 1715, was issued at Livorno. The merchandise was consigned to captain Franceschi "who did not know how to write", and loaded onto a ship called Santa Barbara. The goods, destined for his principal Gio Pio De Piro di Malta, were "numbered and identified as being dry, whole, and in good condition".18 There can be no doubt that Gio Pio De Piro was a favourite of Grand Master Perellos, who bestowed on him the title of Baron of Budach on April 23, 1716. The grant was made to Gio Pio De Piro and to one of his male or female issue in perpetuity. Succession to the title was limited to the descendants named by the last holder and in default of such nomination to the first born male child not being a member of the secular or regular clergy. However, Gio Pio De Piro did not attend the first investiture in person. This took place on April 25 and he was represented by his father, the Conventual Chaplain Fra Lorenzo Ubaldesco. The patent stipulates that tribute in the form of two muskets "in good condition" was to be paid every year on the feast of St Barbara.19 This condition at times remained unfulfilled. Writing from Gozzu in an undated letter, Ubaldesco De Piro passionately discloses his displeasure that the guns had not been presented to the Grand Master and that such an omission may have serious consequences as it could serve as a pretext to invalidate the title.20

The Baron of Budach must have been on excellent terms with his Grand Master, judging from three different acts; a petition, a recommendation and a will. Whenever De Piro desired any favour he would petition the head of the Order. On one occasion he wished to incorporate a grotto with a garden he had purchased at Irdum Madliena.


LORENZO UBALDESCO DE PIRO, Archdeacon of the Cathedral of Notabile	DR GIO PIO DE PIRO, first Baron of Budach, and first Marquis De Piro in Castille	FELICISSIMO ANTONIO DE PIRO, second Baron of Budach and Marquis in Castille

(Pictures by courtesy of Casa Rocca Piccola)

De Piro explained that doubts could arise regarding the ownership of the large cave close to the summit of the plateau. Authority was given for the incorporation of the grotto in the original deed of purchase.21 Again, when in 1718 the Baron's son, Antonio, was studying with the Jesuits in France, Perellos wrote to the Order's representative to extend patronage should this ever be needed.22 Finally, when the Grand Master drew up his will, his declared affection for Baron De Piro is proved through a bequest of money.23 An Italian Grand Master, Marc-Antonio Zondadari, succeeded Perellos. Although he ruled for only two years, Gio Pio once again found a friend. The head of the Order nominated the Baron of Budach to fill the military post of luogotenente of the company of the Order's patentees.24 Concurrently, Gio Pio De Piro was appointed Secreto,a post he held from 1720 to 1722, corresponding to Zondadari's Grand Mastership. As Secreto he was responsible for the administration of all public property. It appears that at the time the concept of conflict of interest did not carry much weight. In 1720 he petitioned the Grand Master regarding an issue which in such instances was based on recommendations made by the Secretia itself. The case related to a garden at Mgarr in Gozo. A public fountain was the source of water for the Baron's garden. The latter was linked to the fountain by channels, but at two points the water flowed into two large basins used by the people for washing clothes. The garden was suffering "notable prejudice" and Gio Pio's request to remove the basins was unhesitatingly acceded to by Zondadari. 25

Apparently the hardship this would cause the people was not a consideration. Relations were very good, although somewhat stormier, with Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. On March 19, 1727 De Vilhena decreed that Baron Gio Pio De Piro and his descendants were to be referred to as Illustrissimo, while in November 1728 he ordered all notaries to refrain from prefixing the name of Baron De Piro with any specious or honorific titles. The reason for this was that Gio Pio had accepted a patent from Inquisitor Serbelloni, an act that the Grand Master considered an affront. The issue was treated with such gravity that even the Pope was involved. The episode appears to have finally blown over when on December 23, 1728 Serbelloni informed Rome that the Grand Master promised to withdraw the order previously given to all notaries.26

Gio Pio De Piro, not satisfied with his title of Baron, went to great lengths to obtain a second title. On November 6, 1742 King Philip V of Spain made him Marquis in Castile. "Wherefore you having selected the title of Marquis De Piro and in order that your person and family may be further honoured and ennobled it is my will that you the aforesaid Baron Don Gio Pio De Piro, your heirs and successors for the time being in perpetuity and for ever may name and style yourself and be named and be styled as I do hereby create you Marquis De Piro. And whereas under the ordinance of His Majesty Philip IV, whom God may receive into heaven, any person who is to be raised to the dignity of Marquis or Count must be previously created Viscount, which title is to be subsequently suppressed: wherefore we by letters patent bearing the same date as these present have granted unto you the title of Viscount of Courtely which in accordance with the said ordinance must be suppressed and cancelled in my Secretariat of Grace and Justice of the Kingdom of Castile". The title was duly registered in the Chancellery of the Order and the High Court on October 8, 1743. It is interesting to note that Gio Pio De Piro had to pay 572,000 maravedis de vellin to acquire the title, equivalent to 1,431 scudi, a considerable sum. 27 On the other hand the Baron of Budach and Marquis in Castile was a man of great wealth whose fortune had been undoubtedly consolidated through his service as the Wheat Ambassador.

Dr Attard Montalto, apart from being a commercial and criminal lawyer, former minister and Labour MP, read History at the University of Malta. This article is an excerpt of material to be published in a book in the coming months. Dr Attard Montalto is European Parliament Minister elected on June 12 as a Labour Party candidate.
References :
1. A. de P. Lettere essendomi Ambasciatore in Licata per l'Università di Malta,f. 1r. 2. D. Mack Smith, History of Sicily, p. 22. 3. A. de P. op. cit.,f. l.v 4. Ibid., ff. 2r-3v. 5. Codice Manoel de Vilhena, pp. 50-54. 6. A. de P. op. cit.,f.3v. 7. Ibid., ff. 3v-4r. 8. AOM 474, f. 152r-152v. 9. A. de P. op. cit., ff. 4v-7r. 10. NLM 1146, pp. 188, 219-220. 11. NLM 1466, vide1 aprile 1705. 12. A. de P. op. cit., ff. 7v-10v. 13. A. de P. Albero genealogico De Piro. 14. A. de P. Capitoli del Cattedrale vide 10 Aprile 1700, 15 Aprile 1702. 15. A. de P. Repertorio degli atti pubblici, ff. 76r-77v. 16. A. de P. Bill of lading (28 Luglio 1710). 17. A. de P. Repertorio degli atti pubblici,ff 76r-77v. 18. A. de P. Bill of lading (29 Luglio 1715). 19. AOM 520, ff. 151r, 161r-161v. 20. A. de P. Lettera al Barone De Piro. 21. AOM 1186, ff. 148r, 267r. 22. AOM 1479, Lettera 18 Febraio 1718. 23. AOM 6392, f. 248r; AOM 140, f. 116r. 24. A. de P. Bulla di Luogotenente (16 Gennaio 1719). 25. AOM 1194, f. 260r. 26. AIM 94, ff. 220r-222v. 27. A. de P. Copy of diploma of Marquis in Castile; Report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the claims of the Maltese Nobility, December 10, 1877, para. 200.