[Cuba]. [Trade]

Miguel la Grua Talamanca y Branciforte... El Rey Nuestro Señor (Que Dios Guarde) por Efecto del Amor y Vigilancia Paternal Que Todos Sus Vasallos le Debemos, Permitio la Entrada en la Plaza de la Havana de las Harinas y Otros Viveres a los Anglos-Americanos... [caption title and first line of text]

Mexico City: May 13, 1796. Broadside, 17 x 12.25 inches. Old fold lines. Slight separation and loss at center fold, slightly affecting a few letters. Minor wear else. About very good. Item #5074

Proclamation made by the Viceroy of New Spain authorizing trade between Cuba and the United States. The Caribbean was in tumult in the 1790s, with Toussaint L'Ouverture overthrowing the French colonial government and outlawing slavery. Likewise, in Cuba there was a similar revolt against slavery, demanding abolition and equality -- both revolutions were of substantial concern to slaveholders in the American South. Specifically, the present decree mentions flour and other vital foodstuffs, as a measure against shortages in Cuba, intended to prevent further trouble. "Para precaver la escasez de viveres, y con especialidad de harinas, que verosimilmente causaria la guerra, concedio El Rey Permiso por Real Orden de 25 Junio de 93. para que los Anglo-Americanos...pudiesen conducirlos a la Havana pagando los derechos los puertos habilitados de España...." The Viceroy at the time was Don Miguel de la Grua Talamanca de Carini y Branciforte, First Marques de Branciforte. The Marques was notoriously corrupt, even for colonial Spain, having gained position through marriage to the Prime Minister's sister. He made sure to make some profit on everything that passed through his hands, including taking advantage of the War in Cuba to remove the French from their lands and sell them to his benefit. A rare and interesting decree. We locate a single copy in OCLC, at the University of Minnesota.

Price: $3,750.00