Joys of Processing

Miguel Hidalgo.

In December 1988, the Special Collections Division acquired a large collection of Mexican manuscripts from a New York books and manuscripts dealer. Among these materials were two folders containing thirty-three items from the Bishopric of Valladolid, Michoacán, Mexico, dating from 1778-1845. Of all of the collections acquired from the dealer, this small collection was processed first because Valladolid had been the craddle of the Mexican independence movement. A large number of the province’s clergy became involved in the independence movement, which progressed from the first plot in 1794 to the Dolores popular insurgency in 1810 led by Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla . After Hidalgo’s execution, another parish priest from Valladolid, José María Morelos y Pavón, continued the insurgency until his own execution.

The majestic city of Valladolid, now Morelia, was the capital of the state of Michoacán, and is located in west central Mexico. It was founded in 1541 in the vicinity of the pre-Hispanic Tarascan Valley of Guayangareo, by Mexico's first viceroy, Don Antonio de Mendoza (1492-1552). In 1828 the town was renamed Morelia in honor of patriot Don José María Morelos y Pavón. The word "Michoacán" comes from the Nahuatl terms "michin" (fish), "hua" (those who have), and "can" (place). Michoacán literally means "fisherman's place." UNESCO has designated Morelia "Patrimonio Cultural de la Humanidad" (a cultural heritage of humanity), and it is regarded as one of the richest folk art centers in Mexico.

The Valladolid de Michoacán Diocese was created in 1536. When its first bishop arrived, Vasco de Quiroga, the Franciscan convent of Tzintzuntzan (located at the former capital of the Tarascan empire) briefly served as the provisional cathedral. Quiroga moved the cathedral to Patzcuaro, where the diocese remained from 1538 to 1580, when by royal command it was transferred to Valladolid. One of the most famous Mexican colleges, Real Colegio de San Nicolas de Valladolid, was located here. The college was originally founded by fray Juan de San Miguel in the 16th century. This college was Don Miguel Hidalgo’s alma mater, and, from 1779 to 1792, he worked there as a teacher, vice-principal, treasurer, and principal.

Valladolid’s cathedral chapter was managed by the bishop, and its chapter (Cabildo Eclesiastico) maintained by ecclesiastic tithes. The Cabildo was comprised of five dignitaries (dignidades), ten canons of whom five were by grace (gracia) and five by right (oficio), and twelve prebendaries. The chapter was the governing body for the cathedral. Moreover, in the case of Valladolid, the chapter, since the sixteenth century, was also responsible for the College of San Nicolas. However, for the diocesan administration the bishop relied on the Secretaría de Cámara y Gobierno, who had a main cleric serve as Secretario de Gobierno and assisting clerics to administer the records of the parochial clergy. In addition, they handled the bishop’s private correspondence and other diocesan government matters, such as issuing titles of clerical appointments and licences to confess, officiating at mass, and overseeing the confraternities constitutions in all the parishes. The bishop’s main officer was the Vicario General y Provisor . The vicar general had all the executive authority of the bishop and was the highest judge of the diocesan court (Provisiorato). The ecclesiastic court was headed by the Judge of Testamentes, Chantries and Holy Works. The episcopal curia handled all suits regarding ecclesiastical property except for tithes and the administration of diocesan foundations.

The preliminary appraisal of the collection showed that the records were from the diocesan administration of the bishopric and not from the cathedral chapter. Mostly, they were records of titles of clerical appointments, requests, and licences to hear confessions and to officiate mass.


Letter of September 25, 1778, requesting the examination of Don Miguel Hidalgo and three other clergymen in the sacred ceremonies of the Catholic church, and the certificate (October 2, 1778) added thereto affirming their passing the examination.

From the start, processing the Bishop of Valladolid collection created much excitement. The first letter, dated September 25, 1778, turned out to be a precious "paper jewel." It is a letter from Bishop Juan Ignacio de la Rocha’s (1777-1782) senior clerk and notary, Joseph Francisco Cavillas y Cabrera, requesting the examination of Don Miguel Hidalgo and three other clergymen in the sacred ceremonies so that the appropriate licences could be granted. The licences were approved on October 2, 1778. What a joy to be able to share the exact dates of his final examination. [Letter transcription and translation]

The documents in the Bishopric of Valladolid collection were placed into two folders. The first folder includes twenty manuscripts dating from 1778-1823. These are mostly titles of clerical appointments, examination orders, licences or renewels to confess and to officiate mass, and two letters regarding a disciplinary action. Some of these records are from insurgent clerics from the College of San Nicolas during the administration of Don Manuel Iturriaga. After Hidalgo’s departure from the college, its administration was transferred to Iturriaga, canon by right from the cathedral chapter and former diocesan attorney. He was also a member of the failed 1809 Valladolid conspiracy and a collaborator with Allende and Hidalgo, who helped to formulate the revolutionary plan for independence. The second folder includes thirteen manuscripts dating from 1783-1845 relating to the diocesan administration of Santiago Camiña, who remained as the bishopric’s secretary for more than thirty years and sided with the non-insurgency establishment.

The richness of this small collection, and especially the Hidalgo document, has convinced me that jewels are also made of paper. The collection is now open for research.

Special Collections
The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries
Phone: (817) 272-3393 * Fax: (817) 272-3360 * E-mail: Reference Desk

JOYS OF PROCESSING: FINDING PAPER JEWELS by Maritza Arrigunaga

JOYS OF PROCESSING: FINDING PAPER JEWELS
by Maritza Arrigunaga