Miro, Estevan, governor of Louisiana
New Orleans, (Louisiana)

to Cirilo (Sieni) of Barcelona tit. bp. of Tricali and auxiliary of Havana
(New Orleans, Louisiana)

He encloses a copy of the royal decree (of Charles IV, king of Spain) dated March 6, 1790.

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1790 Mar. 6

(Charles IV, king of Spain)
(Madrid, Spain)

to the ecclesiastical and civil officials of the indies
Royal decree
Quotes from decree of (Charles III, king of Spain) dated May 9, 1783 which gives the reasons why Philip V, king of Spain applied to the various popes for permission to impose a tax on the church in certain parts of the Spanish domain; the small amounts collected because of the negligence of those responsible; and mentions by name of those archdioceses and dioceses which have made a response. Answers to five questions proposed by (______) bp. of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (______) concerning exemptions. Payments are to be made promptly, without discount for collection. The Archbishops and Bishops of Peru, New Spain, New Kingdom of Granada, Philippine Islands and the Windward Islands are ordered to put these stipulations into effect without making excuses; the civil officials of the same regions are to give their aid to the fulfillment of the royal will. (The follow the briefs of Popes Clement XI, Clement XII, Benedict XIV, and a royal decree of Philip V).

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1721 Mar. 8

(Clement XI) Oliveri, F. Cardinal
Rome, (Italy)

Because of the expensive war with the Mohammendans, Philip V of Spain has asked for a subsidy to be levied on the income of the churches in his territory. Clement grants him six percent of the income of all religious organizations in the West Indies until the sum of two million ducats is raised. Cardinals and very poor organizations are exempted. (Translated into Spanish by Francisco Gracian, secretary of the king.)

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1740 Jan. 8

(Clement XII) Passionei, D. Cardinal

Reiterates the stipulations of Clement XI, in the brief of March 8, 1721. Power is given to punish by censures or otherwise those who try to defraud the crown. (Translated into Spanish by Miguel Joseph de Aoiz, secretary of the king).

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1741 May 30

(Benedict XIV) Passionei, D. Cardinal

Benedict has been reminded by Philip V of Spain of the tax on ecclesiastical incomes imposed by Popes Clement XI and Clement XII. Philip has asked that since the collection of the first tax was not completed when the second was levied, the second tax be not charged till the first has been collected so that his subjects may not have to pay two taxes at the same time. This request is granted together with the renewal of all the conditions of the first two briefs. (Translated by Miguel Joseph de Aoiz and signed at Madrid on March 15, 1751.

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1741 Sep. 6

(Philip V, king of Spain)
San Ildefonso, (Spain)

to Luis Jaimes de Borbon, (?) archbp. of (Seville (?) Spain)
Instruction.
Having proved the little interest taken by the archbishops two predecessors in the collection of the two million ducats which the popes have allowed Philip to impose on the Church in his kingdom, he has decided to carry it out with the greatest energy and zeal, and to this end the king sends out the following instuctions (which are grouped under eighteen heads).

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1790 Aug. 21

(Cirilo Sieni of Barcelona)
New Orleans, (Louisiana)

to (Estevan Miro) governor (of Louisiana)
New Orleans

He has received the royal decree of March 6, 1790 which Miro has sent. He does not believe that the tax touches the stipend which has been granted by the king for carrying on the spiritual work of the colony. However he will cooperate in those things which come under the scope of the royal decree.
IV_4-g A.D.S. 43pp. 8vo. (Spanish)
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