[Mexico]

[Large Group of Broadside Decrees Issued by the State Government of Puebla During the Mid-19th Century]

Puebla: 1830-1870. Forty-one broadsides, most measuring approximately 12 x 8 inches, many larger. Stab holes at left margin where previously bound; larger broadsides folded to fit a folio volume. Some wear and chipping at edges, occasionally heavier. Scattered, occasionally crude, tape repairs. Light tanning and scattered foxing. Overall, good plus. Item #1690

A large and interesting group of Mexican broadsides published by the state of Puebla that promulgate numerous state and federal decrees, laws, and orders from 1830 to 1870. While topically somewhat disparate, many deal with the levying of taxes, particularly on alcohol and tobacco, imposing duties, regulating imports and exports, and other financial issues of national importance. A significant number also relate to foreign affairs and the domestic political situation during a fairly turbulent time for the country.

The earliest four broadsides present in this collection date to 1830-1, and concern tax and customs matters, one of which is a decree that orders an additional state tax on pulque for the construction of a new jail and hospital. There are nine broadsides here from the 1840s, the most interesting of which promulgates a 1843 decree by Santa Anna that distributes financial responsibilities to the states for restitution payments to the United States on claims dating to the Texas Revolution. An 1849 decree addresses several issues regarding domestic prisoners and veterans from the Mexican-American War, and another from the same year announces the creation of the new state of Guerrero (on the southwest coast of the country).

Five broadsides from the first half of the 1850s include a decree regarding taxes on aguardiente and orders for the observation of the funeral of Manuel de la Peña y Peña, long-serving Justice of the Mexican Supreme Court and the interim president of the country between following the fall of Mexico City in 1847 and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The largest subgroup, eleven broadsides, date to 1856, the year after the Liberal opposition deposed and exiled Santa Anna for the final time. The most significant of these announces the annulment of all orders made by Santa Anna during his last reign and fixes a date for the hearing of claims for restitution or damages from the burdens of the previous regime. Another establishes several categories of awards and medals, such as "Patriotica Condecoracion de la Paz" and "Restaurador de la Paz en 1856," for those who helped to defeat the Conservative factions in this instance.

The final sizable group of broadsides date to 1868, the first full year the Benito Juarez was in power following the defeat of Loyalist forces and the arrest and execution of Maximilian. Among these are a large printing of the Ley Organica which supposedly protected the freedom of the press guaranteed under the new Constitution. Other interesting items include a decree that punishes highway robbery by death, two orders for the repair of railroads, and several decrees reestablishing the customs and duty system for imports and exports. The last item chronologically in the present collection is a large printing of the 1870 treaty of peace and commerce between Mexico and Prussia. A sizable assemblage of material, with many interesting broadsides on numerous topics of Mexican history.

Price: $2,000.00