Inquisition

1815 · 5342 — Mexico: 8 de Julio 1815. Very good. Double-sheet broadside measuring 23.75 x 17 inches. Old fold lines some slight rumpling. Minor soiling and wear. A fascinating and rare broadside in which the Inquisition attempts to prohibit pro-independence publications including the 1814 Constitution of Apatzingán during the midst of the Mexican Revolution. Dated July 8 1815 this proclamation of the Inquisition first reiterates a blanket prohibition on what it labels seditious and anti-Catholic publications that is to say anything in favor of the revolution and independence. It warns that any statements in favor of liberty and democracy constitute heresy in the eyes of the Inquisition and that such calls in fact seek to subvert the natural order rather than re-establish it:<br /> <br /> "Producciones de una nueva raza de Filósofos hombres de espíritu corrompido que baxo del especioso titulo de defensores de la libertad maquinan realmente contra ella destruyendo de este suerte el orden político y social y gerarquia de la Religion cristiana exhortando con este language de seduccion á ascudir el yugo de subordinacion y sujecion á las lexítimas Potestades tan recomendada por Jesucristo y pretendiendo por aqui fundar si les fuera posible sobre las ruinas de la Religion y Monarquias aquella soñada libertad que malamente suponen concedida á todos los hombres por la naturaleza: razon porque prohibe los muchos libros que menciona y los demás que sean de la misma clase para precaver con oportuno remedio el daño que puedan occasionar."<br /> <br /> The proclamation then continues in seven numbered sections to outlaw specific works published by the revolutionary government its forces and its supporters. Most significantly the broadside outlaws the Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana more commonly known as the Constitution of Apatzingán. This document promulgated by the Congress of Anáhuac on October 22 1814 printed 242 articles for the establishment of republican government in Mexico although it was never brought into force. The propositions put forth by the Constitution are so egregious according to the Inquisition that it is impossible in one edict to denounce them all individually:<br /> <br /> "Excederia los límites de un edicto la especificacion particular de todos y de cada uno de los crasísimos errores que contiene este infernal papel; pero bastará advertir á los Fieles que en él baxo el respetable nombre de Religion Católica Apostólica Romana que sirve de escudo á sus tramas como antes servia el de Fernando VII contra quien tan iniquamente se han declarado rebeldes se introducen las mas groseras heregias y los mayores delerios."<br /> <br /> Nevertheless the authors go on to highlight the most transgressive articles condemn the inferred inspiration of the document from authors like Hobbes and Rousseau and emphasize the rejection of Church doctrine implicit in calls for revolution and democracy:<br /> <br /> "Mas como los Autores de Constitucion se han propuesto revelarse tambien contra la Doctrina expresa de la Iglesia dogmatizan ser licito á los Ciudadanos levantarse contra el Principe prevarle del Reyno mudar el Gobierno monárquico en republicano á pretexto de tirania como si fuera lo mismo fundarlo de nuevo que revelarse contra el ya fundado. Decir que es licito y justo el tal levantamiento contra el lexitimo Principe aunque sea baxo de pretexto de tirania es una proposicion condenada repetidamente por la Iglesia y heregia declarada."<br /> <br /> In the remaining six sections the Inquisition continues to condemn a litany of decrees sermons almanacs manuscripts and other texts that emanate from revolutionary sources or espouse democratic ideas. In all the document serves as an outstanding representation of the royalist Catholic and conservative forces that were attempting to hold power in Mexico during this period and a fascinating example of attempted censorship of revolutionary ideals. Rare we locate only two copies -- one at Berkeley and Medina's copy at the National Library of Chile. 8 de Julio unknown