The first ledger contains correspondence between the Spanish embassies in New York and Philadelphia, and its consular office in Norfolk, Va., 1797-1817. Most letters are addressed to Spanish diplomats Josef Ignacio de Viar and Carlos Martinez de Irujo. The second ledger is a bound log of shipping activity from Norfolk to Cuba and other ports, 1817-1840.
Antonio Argote Villalobos was the Spanish consul at Norfolk, VA from 1797 to 1817, and previously at Lexington, KY from 1795 to 1796. Pablo Chacon succeeded Villalobos at Norfolk, serving from 1817 to 1829, and was followed by Antonio Pomar (1822 to 1835) and Walter de Lacy (1839 to 1846).
Source: Materials within collection.
Ledgers are in fragile condition. Handle with care.
MSS 16307 Spanish Consulate in Norfolk, Virginia records, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
A larger collection of the Norfolk consulate records (1795-1846) is held by the Virginia Historical Society (Mss 3 Sp155 a).