COLLECTION GUIDE
Prepared by Ruth Olivera, April 1980.
Arrangement of Collection
Box 1, Folders 1-13
A. Gordoa family correspondence and documents, 1827-1846
117 pieces
Box 1, Folders 14-23
B. Luis G. Gordoa political papers, 1822-1840
69 pieces
Box 2, Folders 1-21
C. Gordoa business correspondence, 1839-1846
166 pieces
Box 2, Folders 22-25
D. Gordoa hacienda "Maguey" papers, 1835-1845
20 pieces
Box 3, Folders 1-34
E. Gordoa mining papers, 1832-1846
1. Folders 1-30 "Refugio" mine
261 pieces
2. Folders 31-34 Others
10 pieces
Box 4 and Box 5, Folders 1-5
F. Mines of Fresnillo papers, 1835-1843
1. Archives
15 pieces
Box 5, Folders 6-11
F. Mines of Fresnillo papers, 1835-1843
2. Other documents
89 pieces
Gordoa Family
Antonio María de Gordoa died c. September 1832. First marriage heirs, name
of first wife unknown:
Antonio Eugenio Gordoa y Bravo married Dorotea Garcia de la Cadera.
Luis Gonzaga Gordoa y Bravo married Mariana Rubio
Francisco Ignacio Gordoa y Bravo
José María Gordoa y Bravo
Francisca Gordoa (dead) married Pedro de San Juan
Francisco Javier Gordoa y Bravo (dead by July, 1844)
Second marriage heirs, marriage with Margarita Ruiz de Esparza
José María Gordoa Ruiz de Esparza
Francisco Gordoa Ruiz de Esparza
Juan Gordoa Ruiz de Esparza
Antonio María Gordoa Ruiz de Esparza
Gordoa Family Papers
The documents of this collection relate to the Gordoa family of the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, whose wealth derived from mining interests in the area. Most of the documents have to do more specifically with Luis Gonzaga Gordoa, who according to the Diccionario Porrúa, was born in 1797 in the Mineral de Catorce and died in 1845, though correspondence included proves he was still alive as late as September, 1846. He was one of the authors of the first Mexican constitution in 1824, was Secretary of the Mexican Legation in Rome from 1825 to 1830, and was also rector of the Colegio de Abogados, Senator and Deputy. The documents consist of family papers, both personal and legal, political papers form the time that Gordoa was active in government, business correspondence, records of the Gordoa mines and haciendas and papers and publications connected with the government-owned Fresnillo mines with which Luis Gordoa was associated as the government administrator.
Box 1, Folders 1-13
A. Gordoa family correspondence and documents, 1827-1846)
These papers consist principally of personal letters to members of the Gordoa family from brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. Most noteworthy among the correspondents are the brothers Antonio Eugenio, Luis Gonzaga, and Francisco Ignacio Gordoa, their brother-in-law Pedro de San Juan, and the sisters of Mariana Rubio de Gordoa, wife of Luis, Dolores, Carmen, and Isabel. The letters reflect the times with references to the political situation, the activities of Santa Anna and revolution in Mexico City. The family itself is revealed as being culturally inclined, interested in music and the theater. Importance is given to education, with the women of the family being very literate if not literary. Of particular interest are the letters sent to Francisco Xavier Gordoa, brother of Luis, who was studying in London from 1836-1837. In a way which reflects the feeling family solidarity and concern found throughout all the letters, Luis warns his brother against involvements with women. Many of the letters are addressed to Luis' wife Mariana from here sisters in San Luis Potosí and Querétaro while the couple was in residence in Mexico City. Dealing with events of daily life, they unconsciously show a marked preoccupation with ill health and the prevalence of death among childen and infants.
Also Included are documents drawn up in 1845 showing the division of property, consisting of haciendas (including Malpaso) and mines, between the children of the first and second marriages of Antonio María de Gordoa, father of Luis.
Box 1, Folders 14-32
B. Luis G. Gordoa political papers, 1822-1840
This collection consists of a very loosely-related assortment of political papers--letters, notes, drafts, laws and reports-- from the early period of the Mexican Republic. They provide insight into the military and governmental situation of these tumultuous times. Although they are identified here as "Luis G. Gordoa political papers", only a fraction of them are directly identifiable with him. It may be assumed that the others in some way came into his possession as a result of his political activites as deputy and senator. In this way he may have acquired the 13 unrelated letters (1822-1829) addressed to José María Calderón, a military leader and governor of Puebla. The signature of a Calderón on the cover of an 1839 document is probably not that of José María Calderón who died, according to the Diccionario Porrúa, in 1834.
Of particular interest is a document entitled "Memoria presentada al Soberano Congreso Constituyente por el Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores e Interiores y leída en la sesión de 8 de noviembre de 1823". The Secretary at that time was Lucas Alamán who held the post from April 16, 1823, to February 6, 1824, an was a prominent conservative of the 19th century. He is writing here in one of the earliest sessions of the Congress on Mexico's relations in regard to other countries. He first mentions the U.S. which has recognized Mexico but has not yet sent a minister and he hopes for good relations. As for Spain, he wants an absolute recognition of Mexico's independence and the possession of the Castillo de Ulúa, while noting that commerce has continued between the countries. Recognition from England may depend on the formation of stable states within Mexico. He mentions also sending a representative to Rome and logical ties with other countries formerly under Spain. With comments on the sometimes war-like Indians of the northern borders the paper abruptly stops. This document appears to be a later copy of the speech delivered by the secretary when Gordoa was a deputy.
Other names of historical significance which appear among the documents are Carlos María de Bustamante, Manuel Mier y Terán, José Esteban Moctezuma, Manuel Eduardo de Gorostiza y Guadalupe Victoria. The latter two served as plenipotentiaries in arranging peace between Mexico and France in the Pastry War of 1838-1839. A contemporary manuscript of their secret dispatches to the Ministry of War on the progress of negotiations from March 6-9, 1839, is included here. It was the most likely obtained by Gordoa as deputy. These dispatches are published in Antonio de la Peña y Reyes La Primera Guerra entre México y Francia, México, Editorial Porrúa, 1971.
Among the papers are notes, sketches, and more formal revisions of laws on
such diverse topics as the treasury, tapes, the administration of
diezmos, religious affairs, commerce, mining, the franchise, and
the use of the word indios
Box 2, Folders 1-21
C. Gordoa Business Correspondence,
1839-1846
The documents in this file are composed of business letters, the majority of which relate to the Gordoa mines, while a smaller number have to do with the hacienda "Maguey". A preponderance of the documents are for the years 1844 and 1845. Most of them are sent by the managers in either Maguey or Catorce to Luis Gonzaga Gordoa who was living in Mexico City.
In the sparse documentation on the hacienda there is mention in 1839 of a sale of wool and in 1846 of the sale of horses, with letters to Antonio Gordoa and from Pedro de San Juan to Luis regarding the 1844 inventory.
The letters dealing with the mines provide a much richer source of information. Most concentrate on the mine "Refugio" but reports are also made on the mercury mine "Señor de Luis Gonzaga" with details of its acquisition by denuncio in 1844. In general they enlarge upon the regular reports called memorias, estractos, and rifas, which are sent to San Luis, and provide details on the day-to-day operation of the mines, the fluctuation of production and the problems involved. The principal correspondents are the administrator or interim managers: Fermín Mata, Domingo Martínez, Juan Mata, Manuel Ygueravide and finally Juan Ygueravide. The frequent changes in management due to illness and death with accompanying expression of distrust of administrators reported to Luis are notable. The letters, especially those of Juan Mata, give some idea of the times. The town of Catorce is in an apparent decline; many mines have ceased production, and local mine owners are meeting for their mutual benefit. Mention is made of the operations in the mines "Purísima" and Dolores". Scant attention is given the conditions of the workers, though sick pay is the subject of one letter and great hostility against Domingo Martínez is shown in a letter by a miner who accuses him of "killing his sheep".
Box 2, Folders 22-25
D. Gordoa hacienda "Maguey" Papers,
1835-1845
The documents in this collection related to the hacienda named "Señor San José de Maguey" belonging to the Gordoa family and located west of Zacatecas. They consist of inventories, financial reports and charts, a plan of the property, and papers pertaining to the succession of Francisco Javier who had died by 1844. There is no evidence that the family lived on the hacienda. The dates of the documents are limited principally to 1835 and 1845, but they are of such detail that they provide valuable insight into the operations of this large early 19th century sheep hacienda. The inventory-evaluation of 1835 is of particular importance, clearly revealing the scope of the enterprise, it lists the lands of the hacienda --60 caballerías including an "estancia" called "Organos"-- and its buildings, which included the main house, the houses of the administrator, mayordomo, chaplain, servants, and workers, the chapel school, store and plaza. the furnishings of the house and chapel, equipment for private armed guards, dams and irrigation equipment, fruit orchards with trees named, bell, tools, vehicles, supplies, graineries, and number of sheep (89,000), horses and mules (4,000), goats (12,000), and cattle (100). The hacienda is shown to be in the business of making and selling soap and animal fat. A comparison can be drawn between this 1835 inventory evaluation and the summary report of 1845. One report gives figures for sheep shearing. Other reports record the profit and expeditures in the production of wool, skins, fat, soap, lime, corn and beans. Included is a map which gives apparent location of "Maguey", dated approximatedly 1826. (Harry E. Cross in letter of June 11, 1980 to Ruth Olivera is of the opinion that the map dates from a detailed survey of 1826. In LAL Flat File).
It may be noted that the four owners of "Maguey" are given as Luis Gonzaga, Francisco Ygnacio, José María and Francisco Javier, omitting the oldest brother Antonio Eugenio. He however has the power of attorney for his brothers in the settlement of the estate of Francisco Javier and may be the owner of the Hacienda de Trujilo.
Box 3, Folders 1-30
E. Gordoa mining Papers, 1832-1846
The documents in this file consist principally of three types of reports of the Gordoa family mine "Nuestra Señora del Refugio", memorias, extractos, and rifas. The memorias are weekly reports compiled by the administrator which provide exact information on the number and types of miners and their wages, the salaries of the managements, the expense, the sale of products and the division of the proceeds. The extractors are brief summaries of the memories indicating individual shares, usually those of Luis Gonzaga. The rifa reports relate to current prices and are incorporated into the following memoria in the section of the sale of products. These three reports were included with a weekly letter from the administrator to Luis Gonzaga, the most nearly complete sets being from 1844-1846. Domingo Martínez in 1844 included rifa reports in his letter instead of sending separate lists.
Also included are inventories for "Refugio" for the years 1835 and 1845 with detailed lists of the equipment, supplies, number of horses and mules, the furnishings of the chapel, and a description of the chapel, the administrator's house, and the entrance to the mine.
A separate sheet lists the special bonuses to which the administrator Fermín Mata was entitled for the years 1837 to 1842.
Box 3, Folders 31-34
Documentation is also provided on the mercury mine "Señor San Luis
Gonzaga", also called "Cinabrio", which belongs to Luis Gonzaga. Included
are a brief summary for 1839, memorias for 1840, 1844, and 1845, and a
plan of the mine.
F. Mines of Fresnillo Papers, 1835-1843
The documents in this file constitute a small collection in themselves yet are connected directly to the Gordoa collection in that Luis Gonzaga Gordoa was appointed Interventor of the mines of Fresnillo in 1843. These once-productive mines located north of Zacatecas at the Cerro de Proaño had been appropriated or intervened by the Mexican government under Santa Anna in 1830. In 1835 the Compañía Minera Zacatecano-Mexicana was formed with 120 shares for the state and 120 for the company, which was to lend the government 1,300,000 pesos and to receive in turn one third of the profit of the government shares. It was under these conditions that the mines were operating at the time these documents originated. D. Narciso Anitúa was named administrator of the mines in 1835, to be followed in 1837 by José González y Echeverría. The Interventor or government director from 1837 to 1842 was Francisco Lelo de Larrea, and the immediate predecesor of Gordoa was Manuel Onobre Paradi. Signatures of all of these names appear in the documents.
The collection may be divided into the following categories:
Box 4, Folders 1-15; Box 5, Folders 1-5
1. Archives of the Intervention of the mines of Fresnillo for the years 1835-1843, together with their inventory. This inventory dated July 13, 1843, lists 26 numbered legajos, some of which have several cuadernos,; it briefly describes the contents and gives the number of pages; it names Luis G. Gordoa Interventor and bears his signature in receipt of the archive. Included here are all or parts of 14 legajos. Most of the material is handwritten, but there are several printed reports on the mine's operations and printed documents on the establishment of the Banco Nacional in 1837. There are letters, copies of letters and rough drafts all dealing with the operation of the mines. A theft of silver and mercury in 1838 is the subjects of Legajo 11, cuaderno 1, while Legajo 6, cuaderno 1 constains a description of the mines and the area. Perhaps the most interesting is the 100-page inventory dated Octuber 31, 1835, of the mines and haciendas of the "Negociación de Minas de Fresnillo". These include the mines of Veleña, Barreno, Obscura, Colorada, Plateros, and San Nicolás and the haciendas of Guadalupe (both fundación and beneficio), Señor San José, Rosario, and Zacatecas. Additional equipment, supplies, furnishings and fortifications are also listed.
Box 5, Folder 6
2. A second inventory of the mines and haciendas of Fresnillo which
contains much of the data of the one in the archives. This is an 1841 copy
of an inventory dated June 19, 1835.
Box 5, Folder 7
3. Copies of 9 numbered receipts for the year 1842 for one third of the
monthly profits of the mines (usually 22,450) channeled through G.
Henderson y Co. in Zacatecas to Manning y Marshall of Mexico City. An
inventory lists 6 of these receipts.
Box 5, Folder 8
4. Reports of expenses and products of the "Negociación del Fresnillo"
from April 2-December 30, 1837, signed by Narciso de Anitúa and José
González y Echeverría. Included is a summary of accounts for Octuber to
December. Pages are numbered 7-17.
Box 5, Folder 9
5. Rough drafts, notes, and undated records of the operations of the mines
and haciendas.
Box 5, Folder 10
6. Correspondence which includes receipts, drafts and copies of letters
for the years 1842-1843 between the representatives of the government and
official of the mines concerned principally with their financial agreement
in dividing profits. These pages have been numbered from 17-54 but are not
complete.
Box 5, Folder 11
7. Personal observations by Domingo Martínez written in a whimsical style
regarding the mining operations at the Cerro de Proaño, whit historical
notes and opinions, dated June 16, 1836 at San Nicolás. (It has not been
ascertained whether this is the same Domingo Martínez who worked at the
Gordoa mine "Refugio").
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