Pedro José Fonte y Hernández de Miravete documents, 1815-1834

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Summary

Creators:
Fonte y Hernández de Miravete, Pedro José, 1777-1839
Abstract:
A collection of papers, mostly originals or certified contemporary copies, relating to the installation and activites of Fonte as Archbishop of Mexico, the majority addressed to or written by him, in Spanish, Latin, and Italian.
The first major portion of this collection consists of papal rescripts issued by or in the name of Pope Pius VII, with related material, September 4, 1815 - March 15, 1816. Nos. 1-8 are rescripts addressed to Fonte and concerned with blessings or indulgences; Nos. 9-19 are summaries of petitions presented by Fonte to the Pope through various cardinals, with statements of the latter on the corresponding papal grants. Dated in Rome and Madrid in 1815 and 1816. Nos. 20-27 comprise seven papal bulls and one profession of faith to be made by the new archbishop, all dated in 1815, and relating to his election and installation.
The second major part, Nos. 28-81, consists primarily of letters addressed to Fonte, or, in a few instances, to his secretaries, from 1815 to 1834, with drafts of his replies, two printed pastoral epistles, etc. Topics dealt with include Fonte's appointment, requests for financial and other assistance, Fonte's saint's day, his return to Spain, his support of a Spanish translation of Milton's "Paradise Lost," and his project for distribution of 100 copies of the Bible, in Latin and the vernacular, throughout Mexico.
Extent:
Number of containers: 1 box
Language:
Collection materials are in Spanish

Background

Scope and content:

This collection, originals and contemporary copies, relates for the most part to the installation and activities of Fonte as Archbishop of Mexico.

Folders 1-19 pertain to papal rescripts issued by or in the name of Pope Pius VII, with related material. Nos. 1-8 are rescripts addressed directly or indirectly to Fonte, concerned with blessings or indulgences. Nos. 9-19 are summaries of petitions presented by Fonte to the Pope through various cardinals, with statements by the cardinals re the papal grants (1815-1816).

Folders 20-27 consist of seven papal bulls and one profession of faith, all dated Sept. 1815, and relating to the election and installation of the new archbishop.

Folders 28-81 contain letters, mainly addressed to Fonte, some with drafts of his replies, dealing primarily with requests for assistance. They have been arranged in alphabetical order. A partial index of correspondents may be found at the end of this report.

Folder 82 includes miscellaneous material relating to the distribution of Bibles in Mexico.

Acquisition information:
This collection of papers is part of the H. H. Bancroft Collection, and includes numbers 57211, 57212, 57214 and 57216.
Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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