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Coronel, Manuel F. (Manuel Franco) Letters to Antonio F. Coronel, 1869 March 7 and 1871 May 20
MANUSCRIPT SMCII Box 15 Folder 5
Collection Overview
Title:
Letters to Antonio F. Coronel, 1869 March 7 and 1871 May 20Manual F. Coronel letters to Antonio F. Coronel, 1869 March 7 and 1871 May 20
Creator/Contributor:
Coronel, Manuel F. (Manuel Franco), creatorAbstract:
The two letters from Manuel Coronel to Antonio Coronel are written in Spanish; they have been transcribed and translated.
Due to difficulty in interpreting many references, particularly to proper names, much of the content of the letters is somewhat
obscure.
The letter dated March 7, 1869 discusses family business, beginning with a reference to a "subscription" that Manuel has formed
on behalf of Antonio. This is followed by a reference to the death of [Chale?] which was evidently suspicious and caused Manual
some degree of concern. This death is referred to twice more as being both financially and politically significant to Manuel.
Other business matters discussed include the sale of some horses to Joseph Wolfskill and a reference to the "land of Mrs.
Madigan", which may have referred to land for the railroad line soon to be constructed in Los Angeles. A passage concerning
the sale of his sister Soledad's house contains a reference to her son Pancho's share in the proceeds -- interesting in light
of the later trial involving Pancho's inheritance as a result of which Manuel Coronel was convicted of forgery. "Hellman's
lawsuit" is also mentioned in relation to this business.
Political issues are touched on. Manuel asks that Antonio intercede to procure the release of Tapia, "the son of Lechusa",
from prison as Tapia has only one year left to serve on his ten year sentence and the new law would seemingly allow his early
release. And, finally, Manuel proposes that when Antonio returns in April they should control the elections of the District
Judge and Senator because of the disturbing death mentioned earlier. The letter concludes with a formal reference to their
mother and the family.
The letter dated May 20, 1871 is primarily devoted to politics. A primary election is underway and delegates are discussed.
Names mentioned include: Haight, Quinn, Sepulveda, Yorval, Downey, Hurt, Gwin, Parishes, Ryan, Woodworth, Savage.
Date:
1869 (issued)Subject:
n-us-caCoronel, Manuel F. (Manuel Franco) -- Correspondence
Coronel, Antonio Franco -- 1817-1894 -- Correspondence
Coronel family
Politicians -- California -- Correspondence
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
California -- Politics and government
Note:
Manuel Franco Coronel and Antonio Franco Coronel were brothers, sons of Ignacio Franco Coronel and Josefa Francisca Romera;
there were also several sisters, Josefa, Michaela and Soledad. The Coronel family came to California in 1834 as part of the
Hijar & Padres colony which landed at Monterey and tried unsuccessfully to establish a presence in Northern California. The
Coronels finally settled in the Los Angeles area in 1837 and there Ignacio taught school, becoming Commissioner of the Schools
in 1852. Thus the Coronels were prominent Californianos at the time of Statehood.
Manuel and Antonio were both active in local and state politics. In 1858-1859, Manuel served as Assessor to Los Angeles County
and was elected to the State Assembly for the 18th session in 1869. He was married to Maria Clementa Cruz; their children
included a son, Manuel, Jr. Ca. 1874, Manuel and Antonio became estranged as the result of a dispute over the disposition
of family property. And in 1896 Manuel was adjudged to have committed a forgery involving family property in a lawsuit brought
by his sister Soledad's son, Francisco (Pancho) Yndart against Antonio's widow, Mariana W. de Coronel.
Antonio held many offices in Los Angeles, serving as the first County Assessor in 1850/51, as Mayor in 1853 and on the City
Council from 1854 to 1866; he also served as State Treasurer from 1866 to 1870. He married Maria Williamson in 1873 and they
jointly carried on the traditional culture of old California. In their home Helen Hunt Jackson began the novel that would
become "Ramona", the classic tale of Spanish California. Antonio was interviewed for the Bancroft "History of California"
and his later reminiscences have been published as "Tales of Mexican California". For a biography, see: http://www.socalhistory.org/Biographies/coronel.htm
Soledad Coronal was married to Jose M. Yndart in 1852 and they had a son, Francisco (Pancho). Jose Yndart was an officer in
the Mexican Army and died from gunshot wounds. Soledad died in the Coronel family home in Los Angeles in the early 1870s.
Manuel F. Coronel letters to Antonio F. Coronel, 1869 March 7 and 1871 May 20
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.
Type:
biographyPhysical Description:
print
6 items
Language:
English
Identifier:
MANUSCRIPT SMCII Box 15 Folder 5
Origin:
CaliforniaCopyright Note:
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.