Beschreibung:

Title: Collection of 14 letters/documents concerning the appointment and subsequent tenure of Hernando (Fernando) de Polanco as corregidor (mayor-judge) of the city of Santiago de Atitlán and its territory, especially the town of Guazacapán, in Guatemala Author: ** Place: Santiago de Guatemala Publisher: Date: 1587-1601 Description: 14 manuscript letters stitched together, 1 leaf + empty leaf + 8 leaves + empty leaf + 1 leaf + empty leaf + 5 leaves. 32x22 cm. (12¼x8½"). Historically significant series of letters, of paramount importance for the reconstruction of life in Guatemala in this period. All the letters deal with the appointment of Hernando (Fernando) de Polanco as corregidor (mayor-judge) of the city of Santiago de Atitlán and its territory, especially the town of Guazacapán. Guazacapán (1994 est. pop. 5,290) is in the Department of Santa Rosa in southern Guatemala, on the coastal plain 3 miles west southwest of Chiquimulilla. It is a livestock-raising center and also grows coffee, sugar cane, and grain. The corregidor is an appointed royal official who, as his title implies, co-ruled a given jurisdiction in cooperation with the local elected authorities. Polanco was first appointed corregidor by the governor of Guatemala, García de Valverde, in 1587 in substitution of Bernal Díaz de Sotomayor, who was suffering from an unknown illness. His initial appointment as corregidor for one year was later continued for another year. He was still the corregidor of Atitlán in 1601 (confirmed in his position by a later governor, Alonso Criado de Castilla). As corregidor, Polanco was in charge of the administration of justice (both civil and criminal) and of royal taxation. The appointments were ordered by the governors of Guatemala who resided in the Audiencia y Chancillerías Reales (High Court) of Santiago de Guatemala. Particularly important is the information on commercial matters provided by these letters. Thus, we know of the special commercial relation between the neighboring provinces of Izquintepegua and Guazacapán. We are also informed that the most important crops in the region ca. 1590-1600 are indigo and corn. Furthermore, we know of a particularly devastating locust plague ca. 1600 and of its consequences for the native population. Finally, some news provided about the Suchitepeques, the most important Native American group in the Guazacapán region. Among the letters, Letter #2 (February 12, 1588): Official letter of appointment as corregidor issued by the High Court (Licenciado García de Valverde) in the name of Philip II, king of Spain. With royal seal of paper over red wax. García de Valverde appoints Hernando de Polanco (resident of Santiago de Guatemala) as mayor of Atitlán and of all other villages under its jurisdiction (for one year). His duties include the administration of justice in civil and criminal matters and the collection of royal taxes. Letter #9 (October 24, 1589): Hernando de Polanco, corregidor of Atitlán, must send a Spanish police officer to retrieve a female Indian currently living with doña Constanza (as her servant) and must return her to her father (even if it is against the female Indian’s wishes). Letter # 11 (August 3, 1601) Alonso Criado de Castilla orders the corregidores of Guazacapán and Izquintepeque to punish those who have cut plants of xiquilite (indigo dye) both in communal and private lands and those who used Indians against the rules set by the Audiencia (High Court). Letter # 12 (May 8, 1599): Alonso Criado de Castilla orders to be publicly announced that no one may use a lance or other instrument to kill or cripple cattle under penalty of eight years of imprisonment and a fine of 500 pesos for the Crown and 100 pesos to the person who denounces the crime. He also orders cattle owners to keep their cattle in fenced fields, to brand their cattle, and to castrate their bulls. Letter #13 (undated): Alonso Criado de Castilla informs Fernando de Polanco, corre