Respuesta...al memorial que Fray Diego de Villalon..., 01/01/1641-01/01/1660

File — Box: 1, Folder: 3

Identifier: 35322

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

From the Collection:

The Paraguayan Jesuits Collection consists of 20 manuscript and 4 printed documents ranging in date from 1639 to about 1744. A number of the manuscripts deal with the employment of Indian laborers from the Jesuit 'reductions' on the fortification of the ports of Buenos Aires; others touch on the incursions of hostile Indians against the reductions. A major emphasis of the collection, however, is on the continuing struggle between the Jesuits and the antagonistic representatives of the Church and the Spanish government.

There are manuscripts giving detailed responses to the anti-Jesuit memorials of Diego de Villalon (envoy to Spain of Archbishop Bernardino de Cardenas) in the 1650's; rebutting the charges brought by Martin de Barua in the 1730's; and, finally, a very lengthy 'examen' of the manifesto written by the Redemptorist Miguel de Vargas Machuca, dating from about 1740 and providing in its course a rather full survey of the Jesuits' difficulties with their ecclesiastical and governmental opponents. A brief survey of the available histories indicates that previous historians may not have been aware of all but two of the documents.

Dates

01/01/1641-01/01/1660

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Spanish; Castilian

Additional Description

Shelf Location

8/11/3F

Container Summary

12 AMs sheets bound consisting of 2 documents. The first document is 10 AMs sheets bound out of order and is a response to a memorial written by Fray Diego de Villalon in favor of Fray Bernardino de Cardenas, Bishop of Asuncion. The document is in 3 sections, the first section is made up of four parts (Lo Primero, Lo Segundo, Lo Tercero and Lo Quarto), the second section is made up of two parts (Nota 1a and Nota 2a), and the third section is made up of 18 parts (No. 1o, No. 2o, etc.), each of them itemizing responses. This first document is probably a copy made in the 18th century, although the original material is probably from the late 1640's. The second document is 2 AMs sheets containing an essay on whether Fray Bernardino de Cardenas should be (re-)instated as Bishop of Paraguay and includes numerous quotations of ecclesiastic law. Cardenas was appointed Bishop of Asuncion in 1639 by the King, but papal bulls granting Cardenas the bishopric never arrived. In 1641, Cardenas convinced Fray Melchor Maldano y Saavedra, Bishop of Cordova, to consecrate him as Bishop of Asuncion against the advice of the Jesuits in Cordova. In 1644, Governor Gregorio de Hinestrosa and the Jesuits compelled Cardenas to leave Asuncion and filed complaints against him with the Audiencia de Charcas and with the Viceroy of Lima for stirring up trouble in Paraguay and for holding his post illegally. Cardenas left Asuncion, but remained in Paraguay. He returned to Asuncion in 1647, where he was eventually elected governor and expelled the Jesuits. Despite his rebellious activities, Cardenas was "reinstated" as Bishop of Asuncion in 1660. The documents in this folder as well as others regarding Cardenas could be related to any of these events.

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

VILLALON, FRAY DIEGO DE - REFERENCE: Other Types

CARDENAS, FRAY BERNARDINO DE, BISHOP - REFERENCE: Other Types

CORDOVA, JESUIT COLLEGE - REFERENCE: Other Types

MALDONADO Y SAAVEDRA, FRAY MELCHOR, BISHOP - REFERENCE: Other Types

PARAGUAY -JESUIT ACTIVITIES: Other Types