A decree, signed by Francisco Fernández de la Cueva Enríquez, Duke of Alburquerque, dated August 6, 1710, is the latest acquisition at the University Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research at the University of New Mexico. The printed document outlines privileges given in exchange for a loan. It was issued just four years after the founding of the City of Albuquerque.
CSWR has long hoped to acquire a document from the time surrounding the founding of the city and was able to purchase it with money donated to the Special Collections fund. Center officials say the royal order is signed by the tenth Duke of Alburquerque and Viceroy of New Spain and is an amazing addition to the collection.
CSWR is the special collections department for University Libraries, and the resource center for the comparative and interdisciplinary study of New Mexico and the Southwest at UNM. CSWR supports the teaching and research missions of the university as well as serving the citizens of New Mexico and scholars from throughout the world. CSWR is located in Zimmerman Library.
Media Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu