Minister and Viceroy, Paisano and Amigo: The Private Correspondence of the Marqués de la Ensenada and the Conde de Superunda, 1745–1749

A rare glimpse into the private correspondence between two influential figures of the Bourbon Age, Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea (Marqués de la Ensenada) and José Antonio Manso de Velasco (Conde de Superunda), reveals their close relationship and the intricate dynamics of power during this period. The correspondence, housed in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, consists of seven brief letters exchanged between 1745 and 1749. These letters offer unprecedented insights into the personal and professional interactions between a powerful minister and viceroy, providing valuable historical context to their roles and influence during this transformative era in Spanish American history.

Pearce, A. (2016). Minister and Viceroy, Paisano and Amigo: The Private Correspondence of the Marqués de la Ensenada and the Conde de Superunda, 1745–1749. The Americas, 73(4), 477–490. https://doi.org/10.1017/tam.2016.74