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Manuscript/Mixed Material Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Viceregal order

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About this Item

Title

  • Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Viceregal order

Names

  • Luis de Velasco [the Younger, Viceroy of New Spain]

Created / Published

  • Mexico, September 3, 1591

Headings

  • -  New Spain--Politics and government
  • -  Catholic Church--Clergy--Appointment, call, and election
  • -  Manuscripts

Genre

  • Manuscripts

Notes

  • -  The citizens of Los Valles had informed the Viceroy that the area was being depopulated because the beneficed secular priest who had been appointed for the town would not remain, and frequently the Spaniards were left without the sacraments. The Indians had departed altogether. The citizens had asked for Franciscan friars in place of the secular clergy to remedy the problem. The Viceroy sent an order to Captain Pero Martínez de Loaysa, alcalde mayor who resided in the town, to report on the various points of the petition. On the basis of the alcalde's report and the fact that no secular priest had accepted the position, the Viceroy decided it would be better to put the friars in charge of the church for the good of both Spaniards and Indians. The town, being the only Spanish settlement in the region, was necessary for its defense; it was thought the Franciscans would attract the vecinos back and would help to pacify and settle the Indians. The presence of other Franciscans in the region would be a help to the new friars. Therefore, the Viceroy requests the Franciscan superior (custodio) of Tampico to assign to the town enough religious to instruct the people and to administer the sacraments. They will be responsible for the spiritual needs of the people just as the last beneficed clergyman was, and the people are to give their support. This arrangement is to be in effect until changed by the King or Viceroy. A report is to be sent regarding the fulfillment of the order.

Source Collection

  • Hans Peter Kraus collection of Spanish American documents, 1433-1877

Repository

  • Manuscript Division

Digital Id

Online Format

  • pdf
  • image

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The materials in Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States, and the American Frontier are in the public domain and are free to use and reuse.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States, and the American Frontier.

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For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Luis De Velasco The Younger, Viceroy Of New Spain. Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Viceregal order. Mexico, September 3, 1591. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://aj.sunback.homes/item/mss31013-10400/.

APA citation style:

Luis De Velasco The Younger, V. O. N. S. (1591) Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Viceregal order. Mexico, September 3. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://aj.sunback.homes/item/mss31013-10400/.

MLA citation style:

Luis De Velasco The Younger, Viceroy Of New Spain. Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Viceregal order. Mexico, September 3, 1591. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <aj.sunback.homes/item/mss31013-10400/>.