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Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
(MEXICAN MANUSCRIPTS.) Royal order to reinstate lands to Indians which had been unfairly taken by the Spanish. Document Signed by various parties including Álvaro Manrique de Zúñiga, 1st marqués de Villamanrique, as Viceroy of New Spain at the top left of the second page, and by his scribe Cristóbal Osorio. 2 pages, 17 1/4 x 12 1/4 inches, on one sheet; worn with slight loss and conservation at edges, minor worming, folds, 4-inch silhouette of official seal, minor dampstaining. [Mexico], 10 March 1586
The first page contains the text of a royal decree by King Philip II, ordering that that the Indians of Teoloyucan (now in the state of Mexico) are to regain possession of lands which had been swindled from them by Damián Sedeño, a Spanish lawyer from the Audiencia. This is signed by Viceroy of New Spain rather than the King. On verso is testimony from the alcalde of the surrounding province, Alberto Rodríguez de Haro, confirming total compliance with the orders. This part is signed by Haro, the interpreter Antonio Pacheco (likely a Nahuatl translator), the scribe, and the indigenous officials of Teoloyucan. Haro also relates some fascinating ethnographic details. He notes that after the Indian leaders had gained the authorization to reclaim the towns' lands, one of the leaders took the documents, placed them on his head, and then kissed them, possibly as part of a ritual. As the other Indians entered into area after the permission was granted, they proceeded to tear plants out of the ground and strew dirt as a ritual marking the possession of land. An example of New Spain's indigenous people finding a way to make the colonial system work to their benefit in defense of their land.
