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Manuscript/Mixed Material Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Royal cedula to the audiencia of New Spain

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About this Item

Title

  • Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Royal cedula to the audiencia of New Spain

Names

  • The Princess [Juana, Princess of Spain and Portugal]

Created / Published

  • Valladolid, May 27, 1558

Headings

  • -  Latin America--History
  • -  New Spain--Politics and government
  • -  Slavery
  • -  Manuscripts

Genre

  • Manuscripts

Notes

  • -  Juan Ruiz Rubio, canon of the cathedral of Mexico and representative of its archbishop, reported that even though the Indian commoners had been relieved of the obligation of personal service to the Spaniards, the Indian leaders keep them under heavy servitude, worse than under Moctezuma, making them work for the common funds which the leaders then consume, or having them plant fields, build houses, and carry burdens without pay. The Indian commoners are so subject to them that they do not resist. There is such a great number of headmen that unless a stop is put to this practice almost all will be headmen. This happens in two ways. First, one becomes a merchant and, having built up some capital, he becomes a headman; if he makes any contribution to the tribute, it is not in money or personal service. Secondly, those who serve in the friaries, as well as their parents and brothers, are free from tribute and personal service. As a result the burden falls on the commoners, who serve not only their traditional headmen but also those who have become headmen, because the latter are not willing to cultivate the fields or do any kind of personal service. The canon, in the archbishop's name, petitioned that the situation be remedied. The question having been considered by the Council of the Indies, the audiencia is hereby commanded to look into the matter and decree what is best.

Medium

  • 1 leaf

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.

More about Copyright and other Restrictions.

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:

The Princess Juana, Princess Of Spain And Portugal. Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Royal cedula to the audiencia of New Spain. Valladolid, 1558. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/mss31013-05100/.

APA citation style:

The Princess Juana, P. O. S. A. P. (1558) Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Royal cedula to the audiencia of New Spain. Valladolid. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mss31013-05100/.

MLA citation style:

The Princess Juana, Princess Of Spain And Portugal. Hans Peter Kraus Collection: Royal cedula to the audiencia of New Spain. Valladolid, 1558. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/mss31013-05100/>.