Metadata: Spanish Legation in Tangier
Collection
- Country:
- Spain
- Holding institution:
- General Archive of the Administration
- Holding institution (official language):
- Archivo General de la Administracion
- Postal address:
- Calle Paseo de Aguadores 2. 28871 - Alcala de Henares
- Phone number:
- +34 918 892 950
- Email:
- aga@cultura.gob.es
- Reference number:
- ES.28005.AGA/2.5.1.1.2.48.116
- Title:
- Spanish Legation in Tangier
- Title (official language):
- Legacion de España en Tangier
- Creator/accumulator:
- Spanish Legation in Tangier (Morocco); Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Date(s):
- 1858/1918
- Language:
- Spanish; Castilian
- Extent:
- 47 boxes
- Type of material:
- Textual material
- Physical condition:
- Good
- Scope and content:
-
This collection is made up of documents produced and received by the Spanish Legation in Tangier (Morocco) up to the beginning of the international administration in Tangier.
The information regarding Jews is based on claims presented to the Spanish Legation in Tangier by Jews (most of whom were Spanish-protected). In 1862, David Fresu made a claim against Mohamed el Messuhi, due to an issue over cattle. In 1864, Jews made a claim against the Kaid Ali-Demnati, obtaining a sentence in their favor thanks to the mediation of the Spanish Legation. In 1882, there was a claim due to abuses suffered by Mimon Pinto, a protected Jew, and Omar Barrada, in Fes. There are other claims, such as those presented by Menahem Benmergui (1881-1889) and by Ahimon Benguaish, a protected Jew, against the governor of Mazagan for not protecting Ahimon’s interests, and against Salamon Benigod, a Moroccan Jew (1898). In 1909, Abraham M. Benarosh presented a claim for damages from troubles in Tangier. In 1910, Carlos Atalaya and Joseph Barchibu, a naturalized Spanish Jew, presented a claim against the French government for the seizure of their properties. In 1910, Isaac Ben Nagon made a claim against Abdelah Bon Said due to Abdelah’s purchase of Isaac’s property.
There are other types of documentation: news about the expulsion of protected Jews in Tétouan (1865); lists of protected and naturalized Jews in Morocco (1884-1889); about the misappropriation of property of Moises Wahnon (1909); establishment of the Alliance Israélite Universelle in Casablanca (1910, onwards); resignation of Prof. Francisco Pinto Maldonado, professor at the school of the Alliance Israélite Universelle of Tétouan (1910).
- Archival history:
- The collection was kept within the documentary fonds of the Spanish Ministry of State (= the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) up to the establishment of the General Archive of the Administration in 1972.
- Administrative/biographical history:
- The Bourbon dynasty initiated an administrative reform in Spain. The instrument used for this purpose was the Office Secretary. In 1705, the Universal Office Secretary was divided in two parts: one would be responsible for War-Financial matters and another for the rest. In 1714, these Secretaries (Ministries) became four: State, War, Navy-Indies, and Justice. The Secretary of State and the Office of State Affairs were in charge of foreign affairs. During the eighteenth century up to the administrative reforms by Javier de Burgos in 1834, the Secretary of State (also known as First Secretary) presided over the Supreme Board of State (Junta Suprema de Estado), created by Floridablanca. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Central Administration was composed of five departments: State, War, Navy, Justice, and Finance. In 1830, the Ministry of State was subdivided into Undersecretary, Policy, Correspondence and Accounting. Its responsibilities were increased during this century, and in 1901 it had ten sections. In November 1928, Primo de Rivera eliminated the Ministry, but in 1930, it recovered its administrative independence. Franco’s regime changed the organic structure of the Ministry of State, as well as its traditional name, to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Access, restrictions:
- Free access regulated by the current legal environment on access to Spanish historical archives (law 16/1985 of Spanish Historical Patrimony).
- Finding aids:
- Data on the collection are available at the website of the Spanish National Archives (PARES).
- Links to finding aids:
- https://pares.culturaydeporte.gob.es/inicio.html
- Yerusha Network member:
- Spanish National Research Council
- Author of the description:
- Marina Girona Berenguer; ILC, CSIC; October 2019