Guillermo Dupaix Papers

The Guillermo Dupaix Papers form part of the Genaro García Collection, which was purchased by the University of Texas in 1921 from the heirs of Genaro García. The papers were described by the Benson's Mexican Archives Project in December 1993.

The physical extent of the papers is five inches. They are in Spanish, and are also available on microfilm.

The following guide is available in Rare Books Reference: Castañeda, Carlos E. and Jack Autrey Dabbs, eds., Guide to the Latin American Manuscripts in the University of Texas Library. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press, 1939.

The suggested citation for the papers is "Guillermo Dupaix Papers, 1804-1820, Benson Latin American Collection, General Libraries, University of Texas at Austin."

Archaeological explorer, military captain, and writer. Born circa 1750 in Austria-Hungary; died circa 1818, probably in Mexico City. Joined the military at the age of fourteen. Became capitan of the Regiment of Dragones de Almansa in 1790 and was sent to Mexico, where he arrived in February 1791. Retired from the military circa 1800. Between 1805 and 1809 Dupaix explored and researched the indigenous ruins of Mexico under the sponsorship of King Carlos IV. Dupaix was accompanied by an escort of cavalry and by José Luciano Castañeda, artist for the National Museum of Mexico. Dupaix's descriptions and Castañeda's drawings of the ruins received high acclaim, especially in France and England. The publication of their works is credited with having stimulated the strong interest of Europeans in visiting and studying these ruins. Dupaix is considered to be a pioneer in the science of archaeology. In 1808 Dupaix was charged with disloyalty to the King of Spain, but was absolved and praised for his work.

Among Dupaix's personal archives and the individually numbered items are correspondence, passports and other official documents, literary productions, and financial documents concerning the three expeditions lead by Dupaix (filed as Guillermo Dupaix Papers, G308 Ms., G309 Ms., G314 Ms., G315 Ms., G316 Ms., G319 Ms., G321 Ms., G322 Ms., G339 Ms.), solicitation of salaries (G354 Ms.), charges of treason brought against Dupaix (G323 Ms.), settlement by executor Fausto de Elhuyar of Dupaix's estate including Dupaix's will (G369 Ms.), mandates after Dupaix's death for the collection of the manuscripts, drawings, and artifacts emanating from the expeditions (G373 Ms.) and the manuscript "Dedicación al Congreso Gral. de la Nación Mexicana" by H.Baredere, editor of some of Dupaix's work (G434 Ms). The collection also contains a log which traces the commissioning of Dupaix for the explorations (G245 Ms.). Miscellaneous notes and manuscripts in Dupaix's personal archives include Algunos avisos practicos para mejorar mi comisión by Dupaix. A biographical sketch entitled, "Yndicaciones relativas al Sor. Guillermo Dupaix" appears to be the answer to an attached letter of 1851 from the Belgian consul representing Dupaix's descendants. Much of the correspondence is with Viceroy José de Iturrigaray y Aróstegui.

The Guillermo Dupaix Papers were arranged into Archives and Manuscripts subgroups by earlier library staff. Series were created by the staff of the Mexican Archives Project, which completed processing of the papers in December 1993. The subgroups and series are:

I. Archives

1. Series, Correspondence.

2. Series, Literary productions. Notes.

3. Series, Financial documents. Notes, receipts, and bills.

4. Series, Passports and other official documents. Passports, orders to assist Dupaix, appointments.

II. Manuscripts

1. G245 : Comisión del Capitán retirado Dn. Guillermo Dupaix para investigar antigüedades de esta América. Correspondence, literary productions (logs, reports, manuscript of description of Mitlan), and passports, orders, and salary recommendations.

2. G308 : Oficios primeros de esta Rl. Comisión en el año de 1804 y 1805. Con la Rl. Cedula expediente, carta del Sor. Arzobispo. Correspondence, notes, and clerical orders to assist Dupaix.

3. G309 : Escritos del Escribiente Franco Peredo, 1a Expn. principio de la 2a. y otros anexos a la misma. Correspondence, receipts, and a personnel report.

4. G314 : Abonos de sueldos al Capitán D. Guillermo Dupaix y sus dependientes como director de la investigación de monumentos antiguos. Correspondence, orders and appointments, and reports.

5. G315 : Cartas y papeles, indiferentes a esta 2a Rl. Expn. Correspondence, notes, and receipts.

6. G316 : Papeles de Oficio. 2a. expn. Correspondence.

7. G319 : Cartas. 3a. expn. Correspondence and notes.

8. G321 : Variedad de papeles, desde Puebla hasta Ciudad Real, 3a. expn. Papeles de Provisor. Correspondence, reports, notes, and receipts.

9. G322 : Papeles relativos a sueldos de la tercer expedición y correspondencia suelta. Correspondence and a record of salaries.

10. G323 : Papeles del presidte. de la intendencia de Ciudad Rl. y otros pertenecientes a la dicha ciudad. 3a. expn. Correspondence, notes, passports, orders, and receipts.

11. G339 : Oficios pertenecientes a la Rl. Expedición Antiquaria de Nueva España. Correspondence, notes, and receipts.

12. G354 : Incidencia de Espte. indiferente N. 288 f. 6 vta. De la expedición de historia natural... . Correspondence, orders, and official documents.

13. G369 : El Sr. D. Fausto Elhuyar, albacea del Capitán Dn. Guillermo Dupaix sobre estado en que quedó al tiempo de su fallecimiento la expedición... . Correspondence, wills and attached official documents, and inventories.

14. G373 : Circular mandando se recojan y envien a esta capital varios originales de antigüedades americanas que reconocio en su expediciones el difunto Director Dn. Guillermo Dupaix. Circulars, correspondence, notes by Fausto Elhuyar, and orders.

15. G434 : Dedicación al congreso gral. de la nación mexicana por H. Baradere. Manuscript of the dedication.

Return to Mexican Archives Project-Index