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.

Number of containers: 1 box

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.