A Spanish manuscript from King Philip IV ordering priests to stop the abuse of native Mexicans. The title reads: “You will Stop Disinheriting the Indians!” and the manuscript Signed (“Yo El Rey”). This copy was sent to the bishop of Guadalajara, Mexico:
“The king has been informed that the vast majority of the Indians of Mexico die without having made a will but that they do make oral declarations that approximate the requirements of Spanish testaments, or they make written declarations in their native languages, all of which are ignored by the priests of the local doctrinas. These priests routinely go to the houses of the recently deceased and take possession of all moveable property, thereby disinheriting all heirs. The priests then use the goods as they see fit. The king orders the bishops of the New World to see that the practice is ended.”
An eclectic assemblage of objects coving a wide range of human history.
This collection features objects related to human colonization and displacement.
