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Theft

Stolen Cortés Manuscript Returned to Mexican Government

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Notorious Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés' handwritten manuscript, stolen sometime between 1985 and 1993, has been recovered and returned to the Mexican government. The document, signed by Cortés in 1527, outlines the payment of gold for expenses in preparation for the discovery of spice lands. The FBI's Art Crime Team, led by special agent Jessica Dittmer, worked with the New York Police Department to track down the document and verify its authenticity before returning it to its rightful owners. This is the second document created by Cortés to be located and returned to Mexico by the FBI.

Key Takeaways:

  • The stolen manuscript was signed by Cortés on February 20, 1527, and contained a wax numbering that helped investigators narrow the timeline for its theft.
  • The document was part of a larger collection that was discovered missing 15 pages in 1993, but it was not until 2023 that Mexican authorities sought the FBI's help in recovering the manuscript.
  • The FBI's Art Crime Team, led by special agent Jessica Dittmer, worked with the New York Police Department and the U.S. Attorney for Southern New York to track down the document and verify its authenticity.
  • The document was likely stolen sometime between 1985 and 1993, but the exact date of the theft is unknown.
  • Cortés is a significant and controversial historical figure who explored Central America, defeated the Aztec empire leader Montezuma, and was appointed governor of New Spain (Mexico) by King Charles I in 1522.
  • Rock musician Neil Young wrote and recorded a song about Cortés, "Cortez the Killer," with his band Crazy Horse in 1975.

Statistics:

  • 1527: The year the manuscript was written and signed by Cortés.
  • 1522: The year Cortez was appointed governor of New Spain (Mexico) by King Charles I.
  • 1975: The year Neil Young wrote and recorded "Cortez the Killer" with his band Crazy Horse.
  • 1985-1986: The timeframe during which archivists used a wax numbering on the document.
  • 1985-1993: The timeframe during which the manuscript was likely stolen.
  • October 1993: The month and year the missing 15 pages, including the manuscript, were discovered at the Mexican national archives.
  • 2023: The year the FBI returned a letter that details the purchase of rose sugar written by Cortés in the 16th century.

Sources:

  • FBI (n.d.). Theft of Cortés manuscript solved, returned to Mexico.
  • UPI (Aug. 13). FBI recovers, returns stolen Cortés manuscript to Mexico.
  • "Cortez the Killer" by Neil Young (1975).
  • Cortés, H. (1527). Manuscript outlining payment of gold for expenses in preparation for the discovery of spice lands.

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