LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56002

1812 Letter from Spanish Regency to Americanos

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:975.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1812 Letter from Spanish Regency to Americanos
<B>1812 Letter from the Spanish Regency to </B></I><B><I>Americanos</B></I></B></I><B> in Texas.</B></I> Rare printed Document Signed in type "<I>Joaquin de Mosquera y Figueroa</B></I>" in Spanish, three pages, 8" x 11.75", conjoined, front and verso Cadiz, January 23, 1812. In 1808, Napoleon had proclaimed his brother Joseph Napoleon as King of Spain. In 1810, the Cortes, the Spanish parliament, met at Cadiz to govern in the name of King Ferdinand VII. In his works, Spanish writer <B>Manuel Josef Quintana</B></I> defended Spain's colonial system and her empire. The first volume of his "Vidas de Espanoles celebres," containing lives of Spanish patriots, stirred the Spanish people and secured Quintana the post of secretary to the Cortes. Quintana wrote a series of manifestos to the Americans in Spanish America, the last dated January 23, 1812. This document, on laid paper, addressed to "<I>Americanos</B></I>," was written by Quintana for Joaquin de Mosquera y Figueroa, President of the Regency, on Mosquera's second day in office. It was distributed throughout Spanish America in areas in which Americans resided. He thanks them for their aid [in the Peninsular War against the French], and encourages them to continue supporting Spain, the Mother Country, stating that their loyalty will not go without appropriate recompense. This beautifully written declaration promotes unity and brotherhood, stressing faithfulness to the Spanish Constitution. At the time, there was growing unrest in Mexico against Spanish rule. In December 1811 an envoy of Mexican rebels had traveled to Washington, D.C., hoping to secure United States support for the antiroyalist cause. There were Americans living in Texas and across the borders in the United States who favored U.S. rule of Texas. Mosquera tells Americans not to listen to their enemies who incite discord, but rather to work toward the freedom that they were destined for. In the last paragraph he closes by reinforcing his call to unity and brotherhood and encouraging them to "<I>unite</B></I> [their] <I>forces in order to throw off the disgraceful yoke that </B></I>[their] <I>invaders attempt to impose on </B></I>[them]" and to follow the way that leads to immortality. Joaquin de Mosquera y Figueroa was replaced as Regency president on June 15th, just five months later. When Ferdinand VII returned to the throne, he had Quintana imprisoned at Pamplona from 1814 to 1820. A few light stains at upper edge of first page. A remarkable document in very fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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