The illusion of disloyalty: Rumours, distrust, and antagonism, and the charges brought against the viceroy of new Spain in the autumn of 1808

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Abstract

Following his overthrow on 15 September 1808 José de Iturrigaray, Viceroy of New Spain, was sent to the Peninsula on charges of disloyalty to the king. When his indictment was reviewed by the Council of the Indies, it was found to have been constructed by the authorities in New Spain in a faulty manner. This article analyses the process through which the indictment was constructed, asking what determined the way in which the charges of treason were effectively brought against Iturrigaray and why the charges for treason got mixed up with the examination of his administration. In so doing, it helps illuminate the proceedings and attitudes of those members of the peninsular elite who backed the coup and took over government after Iturrigaray's arrest and who have remained out of the spotlight of the period's historiography. At the same time, it looks at the political culture of New Spain in the wake of the Spanish dynastic and political crisis of 1808, highlighting the changing character of publicity and public opinion.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-36
Number of pages11
JournalHispanic Research Journal
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2010

Keywords

  • Jose de Iturrigaray
  • Mexico City 1808
  • New Spain political culture
  • Publicity and public opinion
  • Residencia trial
  • Treason trial

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