[250] According to one method of financing the building of an irrigation canal in medieval Valencia a company was formed, the members of which subscribed equal -- or nearly equal -- shares. This company, organized to construct an irrigation canal in Benidorm sometime during the first quarter of the fifteenth century, included on its membership list such local dignitaries as the Vicar of Polop and Johan de Luna and some contractors including the leveler Garcia Mezquita.

The following points were agreed upon by the members of the whole company:

First, it was decided and held as good that all the things done and still to be done ought to be arranged and discussed by the honorable Johan de Luna, Guillem Ramon Çaportella, Johan de Vilanova the Younger, Jacme Gomiz, and Garcia Mezquita; that all should pass under the consideration of the above mentioned; and that all the other partners be held to authorize whatever the above shall do.

Likewise, no person may be admitted to the company without the wish and consent of the above deputies.

Likewise, it was decided by all the partners that if by chance any member of the said company, for any cause, manner or reason, tries or plans to do wrong or commit any fraud deemed harmful to the company, in such a case -- if it be proven -- he who wishes to do such a thing . . . will lose however much he may have invested in the company and shall be expelled therefrom.

Likewise, it was decided that when the work was brought to a perfect end, all the partners would be obliged to deal justly with Garcia Mezquita's share, just as they might do in case of their own, doing there [on behalf of] Mezquita that which each would do with his own property.

[251] Likewise, Garcia Mezquita, as master, is to receive as salary for each working day . . . 6s.

Likewise, the elder son of the said master, for the same reason, 3s.

Likewise, the younger son of the said master, in the form above mentioned, 2s.

Likewise, it was decided and held as good that Johan de Vilanova the Younger be treasurer and administrator and that he keep account of receipts and expenditures of money for the duration of the said work, and of the scribe who keeps the book of receipts and expenditures and of the workdays; let him have as salary 330s.

Likewise, it was decided that Guillem Ramon Çaportella be the master mason of the work and that he have as salary for each working day, 2s.

Likewise, it was decided that all the partners be held to put in the first sack of money to be made up, for each 100 florins, 15 florins.

Likewise, that all the partners be held to give to the treasurer the above mentioned portion [of his share] whenever he might ask for it, and thereafter however much may be needed for the work will be levied accordingly by the elected deputies.

The below-written are the partners of the work of the canal:

[Share]

First, the honorable en Johan de Luna 200 florins
Likewise, en Guillem Ramon Çaportella 100 fl.
Likewise, en Johan de Vilanova, Elder and Younger 200 fl.
Likewise, en Jacme Iuarç, the Younger 100 fl.
Likewise, en Jacme Gomiz 100 fl.
Likewise, n'Anthoni Armengol 100 fl.
Likewise, en Garcia Mezquita, master 100 fl.
Likewise, Anthoni Mezquita 100 fl.
Likewise, en Macia Catala 100 fl.
Likewise, en Guillem Oliuer 100 fl.
Likewise, en Marti Ferrer 100 fl.
Likewise, en Jacme Vives, vicar of Polop 100 fl.
Likewise, en Jacme Fira 50 fl.
________
[Total 1450 florins]

1. ARV, Varia, 126, fols. 81r--82v. "Capitols de que deuen esser fets e ordenats entre los campanyons de la aygua de benidorm."