1817. Carta de Santiago Tapia Isla para Manuela Toledano López.

Letter from Santiago Tapia Isla to Manuela Toledano López.

The author writes to Manuela Toledano expressing his love for her and regretting his absence.

Following an accusation of rape against Santiago Tapia Isla, a litigation occurred in 1817. The plaintiff was Miguel Toledano, a resident of Pedrosa del Príncipe (Burgos) and Manuela Toledano López´s father. Miguel Toledano brought a law suit against Santiago Tapia, a resident of Astudillo (Palencia), for impregnating his daughter and avoiding his responsibility. Specifically, the defendant was reprimand for «under false pretences and amorous seduction he achieved the blatant design of her defilement (Manuela Toledano López´s) and triumphed over her virginity(fl. 69r)».Manuela Toledano gave birth on October the 14th 1817, although the child died not long after having been born. The plaintiff claimed from the defendant a betrothal promise and the awarding of damages caused against Manuela Toledano´s honour, good fame and respect (fl. 68)».

During the trial the plaintiff presented four letters written by Santiago Tapia Isla. The letters PS6270 and PS6271 were provided to prove there was a love relationship between the sender and the addressee. The letters PS6270 and PS6271, addressed to Celestino Crespo Organi (a friend of the couple) and to Manuela Toledano López herself, were provided in order to prove Santiago Tapia Isla´s intention of abandon her, given they were written a few days after the childbirth and their content reveals «the clumsiness and unlawful nature of his behaviour towards Manuela (fl.69r)». It is evident in the letters Santiago Tapia Isla´s intention to keep his relation with the young woman a secret, either hiding the names by using acronyms (PS6268 y PS6269) or referring to a different person on the envelope (PS6271).