The FBI has returned a significant 16th-century manuscript featuring the signature of Hernan Cortez, the Spanish conqueror, to Mexico, officials reported on Thursday.
Archivists in Mexico discovered the loss of this 15-page manuscript during efforts to microfilm a collection. It was quite a surprise.
“These works are deemed protected cultural properties and symbolize important chapters in Mexican history,” remarked Jessica Dittmer, an FBI special agent from the Arts and Crime Team. She mentioned that the U.S. had taken these documents.
This rare manuscript records payments from New Spain, made using Mexican gold pesos, submitted according to government fees for land discovery. On February 20, 1527, Cortez registered for the order.
The document provides a rare glimpse into the workings of New Spain, which extended from Central America up to what is now Washington state.
Cortez’s signature holds particular significance, given his influential role in establishing Spanish control over the region and his colonization efforts of the Mayan and Aztec kingdoms.
At the time he signed, Cortez was serving as the governor of New Spain.
The manuscript is believed to have been stolen from Mexican general archives sometime between 1985 and 1993.
Mexico reached out to the FBI’s Art Crime Team last year to trace the signed pages, which ultimately led to recovering the missing document.
While authorities did not disclose where these artifacts were found, they noted that the items had “changed hands several times,” resulting in no prosecution being pursued for the original theft.
“It’s crucial for the U.S. to remain proactive, support foreign partners, and address issues related to the trafficking of art and ancient artifacts,” pointed out Veh Bezdikian, a special FBI agent involved.
This return marks the second instance in which the FBI aided in retrieving documents connected to Cortez for the Mexican government. In 2023, the agency had previously located a 16th-century letter written by Cortez permitting the purchase of sugar in New Spain.
