Circular Providing Information Generated by Aguardiente
Author: Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca de Carini y Branciforte, 1st Marquess of Branciforte (1755-1812)
Year: 1796
Publisher: Administracion de Alcabas de Durango
Place: Durango
Description:
One page circular. Quarto (11 1/2" x 8 1/4") One page leave printed on one side.
The document insists by order of the Viceroy, that the local administrators provide information regarding the income generated by Aguardiente barrels. All the distilled beverages that were produced and consumed in New Spain, known by the generic name of aguardientes, were unknown in the pre-Hispanic world, since it was the Spaniards who introduced the first stills for distillation in the 16th century.
Although alcoholism among the indigenous population was a serious problem and was generally penalized by both the church and the viceregal authorities, at the end of the 18th century the Spanish saw a great opportunity in its production. With the Bourbon reforms of the 18th century, the Crown undertook administrative changes seeking to increase its income. For this reason, some Spaniards interested in legal production argued that the eradication of alcoholic beverages was impossible and that it was more convenient for the king and his officials to legalize their production and consumption.
Condition:
Edge wear with some closed tears else very good.
