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[5]pp. plus integral blank leaf inscribed. Folio. Dbd. Maltese cross at head of titlepage. Contemporary manuscript inscription and later pencil inscription at top of first page. Accomplished in manuscript at Buen Retiro, Spain on Dec. 28, 1770. Signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with additional annotation on last page of printed text and additional inscription on verso of last page of text. Integral blank leaf with manuscript note related to the cedula on recto and verso. Very good. A rare detailed royal cedula issued by Charles III, King of Spain, ordering a general pardon of accused individuals to be enacted throughout the Spanish Indies. Citing earlier royal proclamations issued previously by Charles III concerning clemency for prisoners, this cedula reprints texts of decrees from January and February 1760. While most prisoners were to receive pardons, a long list of exceptions, based on the January 28 cedula, is provided. These included those accused of secular and religious treason, killing a priest, counterfeiting money, arson, blasphemy, sodomy, robbery, falsehoods, and duelling. Numerous other details regarding the earlier clemencies are also provided. The present royal amnesty was to be distributed to the viceroys, presidents, audiencias, governors, and other judges throughout the Indies in order that this resolution by properly executed. This copy, accomplished in manuscript at Buen Retiro on Dec. 28, 1770, is signed by Juan Manuel Crespo with the additional annotation: "Yo El Rey. Por mandado del Rey Nuestro Seņor." A manuscript inscription on the blank verso of the final printed page, dated Feb. 27, 1762, confirms that the decree had been reviewed two days earlier by the President and other high officials in Santiago de Chile. A manuscript note in a separate hand on the recto and verso of the integral blank leaf provides additional information about the receipt of the document in Santiago in 1762. A rare and highly informative proclamation regarding royal pardons to be enacted throughout the Spanish New World and in Spain. Not in OCLC, Medina BHA, or Palau. Seller Inventory # WRCAM37579
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