MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER– NOMINATION FORM
VENEZUELA- COLOMBEIA: ARCHIVE OF GENERAL FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
This documentary series has momentous and significant historical value in order to apprehend key events
that connote milestones in the history of humankind in which the Venezuelan, Francisco de Miranda,
“Precursor of Hispanic America’s independence”, participated actively.
His sensitivity to social issues, keen observation skills and innate sense of the relevant aptly equipped him
to record European society of that age in his papers. Thus, he bore testimony for posterity of high political
affairs, cultural aspects in the broadest sense and the behaviour of social groups where he mingled. Very
meaningful is the correspondence he exchanged with some of the most eminent notables of his times.
Miranda’s universal prominence confers special significance and transcendent historical character to these
documents, whereas he was both actor and spectator of momentous episodes occurred between 1771 and
1810. Throughout those almost forty years, Miranda kept and organised a vast array of documents, both
public and private. These are vital to understand essential events that altered the course of history, such as
the United States’ Independence, the French Revolution and Hispanic America’s Independence.
I.- Identification
-
Name of documentary heritage:
Colombeia: Archive of General Francisco de Miranda
The Miranda Archive contains closed files with strictly original contents devoid of any latter additions,
which has been zealously preserved and cured throughout the past 230 years. It comprises sixty-three (63)
volumes, stored in a special bronze and crystal coffer with adequate ventilation and temperature
conditions, whereas the restoration staff subjects it to constant care and attention. Custody of the Miranda
Archive’s originals corresponds to the National Academy of History, Archive-Library Department,
Avenida Universidad, Bolsa a San Francisco, Palacio de las Academias, Caracas.
The Miranda Archive is considered the most important collection ever acquired by the nation.
II.- Description:
The sixty-three (63) volumes that comprise the Miranda Archive are divided in three sections, as follows:
Travels: twenty-six (26) volumes.
French Revolution: eighteen (18) volumes.
Negotiations: nineteen (19) volumes.
These documents record almost forty years of the Precursor’s hazardous life who, from 1771 through
1810, kept and organised a vast array of documents, both public and private, that are vital to understand the
2
idiosyncrasy of that period and constitute invaluable information to study and grasp the so-called “Century
of Enlightenment” or Illustration.
In the Travels Section we find his journals on the trips he took throughout several countries of the world,
such as Russia, Sweden, Austria, France, England, Spain and the United States, among many others.
The volumes corresponding to the French Revolution register the incidents and his own role in one of
humanity’s luminary moments, providing unprecedented insight of France’s revolutionary period during
the XVIII century. The Miranda papers likewise reflect the European peoples’ culture with unparalleled
precision. Not only was he a first rate player of these events, but also a person with acute discernment who
bequeathed a genuine archival legacy, furnished through his painstaking minuteness, to analyse and
comprehend the historical reality of the times he was destined to live.
The material referred to as Negotiations is invested with equal importance, comprehending letters and
other documents from prominent political and social personalities of that period. Among them we find the
negotiations with the governments of England, France and the United States requesting aid to secure
Venezuelan independence.
Miranda personally classified and bound this invaluable documentary patrimony, in 1805 in London, under
the title Colombeia (that which refers to Colombia), hoarded throughout long years of international travel.
It came in the hold of the ship that brought him to Venezuelan shores in 1809, called by him "Leander", the
name of his second son, Leandro. In his will, he made provisions for the collection to be kept in Caracas,
his home town, to be exhibited as avowal of his great love for the homeland and the arduous battle he
fought for its freedom.
The Archive was deemed lost until, in 1926, Dr. Caracciolo Parra Pérez, a renowned Venezuelan diplomat
and great admirer of Miranda, began an exhaustive investigation of its whereabouts. Finally, he found out
that the Public Record Office in London still held the documentary fonds.
The history of the long lost archives began when Miranda expressly sends his secretary, Leleux, on secret
orders to Curaçao, where General John Hodgson was the British Governor of the island, one of the
Caribbean islands close to Venezuelan shores. This British subject, aware of the relevance of the mission
commended him, sent the documents to London, with utmost caution and discretion.
It is useful to remember the unfortunate political events Miranda endured in Venezuela, in 1812, upon the
loss of the First Republic and Monteverde’s capitulation, bringing about his imprisonment and subsequent
hasty departure from Venezuela, through La Guaira harbour. However, always careful with his papers,
Miranda instructed his secretary, Pedro Antonio Leleux, to take the necessary measures to ship his
Archives to Curaçao. From La Guaira, Miranda was moved to San Felipe Castle in Puerto Cabello and,
later, to El Morro Fortress in Puerto Rico, from where he is removed to be sent to Spain.
In 1814, he was incarcerated at Cuatro Torres Fortress, in La Carraca Armoury, close to Cádiz (Spain),
where he passes away in 1816. Although it was the demise of the illustrious forerunner of American
Independence, his archive prevails.
Perhaps a premonition of the happenings following his departure from Caracas allowed him to save the
papers he accumulated throughout forty years. Hence, leaving testimony for posterity of his personal and
epistolary acquaintance with the great men and women of his time: Bolívar, Washington, Napoleon, Bello,
Sucre, Catherine The Great, Danton, and the like.
Dr. Caracciolo Parra Pérez, ensuing innumerable inquiries and errands, became convinced that the archives
must still be in England, presumably in London. He began conversations with Mr. Stamp, at that time
Director of the Public Record Office, who informed him that Professor William Robertson had seen
Miranda papers in Lord Bathurst's private library, at Cirencester Castle.
3
Dr. Parra Pérez entrusted Dr. Alberto Adriani, who resided in London, with the mission to pay a visit on
Lord Bathurst (grandson of Count Bathurst). Adriani was to persuade him of the importance for Venezuela
to have those documents sent back to the Public Record Office, where Mr. Stamp would care for them
while the National Government took the steps for their recovery. Adriani's errand proved successful since,
in addition to securing the transfer, he convinced Lord Bathurst to consider a negotiation proposal.
Both Parra Pérez and Mr. Stamp thoroughly revised the documents, becoming fully persuaded that those
really were General Miranda's original archives. Parra Pérez himself won over General Juan Vicente
Gómez, then President of Venezuela, to purchase the documents on behalf of the National Government,
offering Lord Bathurst three thousand sterling pounds, which the latter accepted.
- Conservation and access policies
The Miranda Archive is a closed file, in the sense that its contents are strictly the same that the General
himself filed, without latter additions. Hence, the relevance of preserving and disseminating it using
optimum conservation techniques to ensure preservation of the documents under the best possible
conditions.
No direct access to the original documentation is allowed to researchers. The National Academy of History
instead offers the microfilms for consultation and the possibility of making copies, as a service to historical
research.
Custodianship of the original documentation is the responsibility of staff in the Direction and ArchiveLibrary Departments of the National Academy of History, which is kept in a special bronze and crystal
coffer with adequate ventilation and temperature conditions. The staff from the restoration area regularly
inspects the contents.
III.- Selection Criteria
This documentary heritage is of such importance that it fulfils almost all the selection criteria laid down in
the Memory of the World Programme. The criteria are applicable to three transcendent historical
processes: the United States Independence, the French Revolution and the Independence of Spanish
Colonies of yore in America.
-
Influence, time, place and theme that frame General Miranda's Archive:
Much of the documentation in General Miranda's collection, beyond reflecting a whole era, recount facts
that exercised a significant influence on the history of the world. This Archive likewise contains interesting
information regarding the independence process in the United States, as well as numerous correspondence
and descriptions of the political, social, economic and cultural life of the new born nation. Within the
context of the French Revolution, the Archive documents a significant proportion of the legal proceedings
crucial to its unravelling.
Further, it contains the first inklings of American independence, depicted in documentary sources that are
very useful to portray the diplomatic position of the leading nations of that age regarding potential
independence of the Spanish American Colonies. Altogether, the archive documents the events underlying
American independence, that implied converging historical processes in the American and European
continents transcending national boundaries, because both were ultimately travelling along the road to
decolonisation, which may be seen as a world phenomenon.
Through his writings, Miranda laid open his genuine passion for social and political justice. His active
participation in the United States Independence, the French Revolution and his endeavours to attain
freedom for the Spanish territories in America establish him as a man who loved his country, humanity and
just causes. He lived and died for his ideals and convictions.
4
The leading role Miranda played in historical events of world importance, due to his political and military
standing, the persecution he endured by major European powers on Spanish authorities' orders and the
enormity of the missions entrusted him, place him in an outstanding position within the occidental
historical scenario. He was a universal American. His elevated egalitarian ideals, as well as his talent and
culture, linked him to outstanding personalities in American and European history. He developed a special
bond with many of these people, sometimes closely, whether of a political or personal nature.
This documentary heritage nominated for the Memory of the World Register constitutes a unique
collection with worldwide stature for many reasons. The items are unique, very rare or difficult to
consult or gain access to, whereas there is no other comparable to it. It is certainly rare because it
minutely reflects the personal endeavours carried out by a single human being who yearned for
humankind's well being and freedom for his homeland. The papers in General Miranda's Archive
depict the denouement of the Ancienne Régime and the development of the French Revolution, from
the perspective of a cultivated South American. He portrays these events with the discernment of a
visionary, a man ahead of his times, capturing with enlightened judgement the development and
outcome of the most relevant historical events of the day.
Summing up, this compilation is unique insofar as it recounts the titanic exertions of a man
acknowledged and admired by prominent leaders of his time and whose imprint and memory
remain alive after two hundred years. Luis Felipe I, King of France, had his portrait placed in the
1792 room in the Museum of Versailles and his name beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris,
together with the other Generals of the Revolution.
IV.- Preservation and Access Policies
- Accessibility:
The documentary series "the Miranda Archive" has been published on two (2) occasions. The first edition,
comprising 24 volumes, was done between 1929 and 1950. The second, with the name Colombeia was
begun in 1978 (incomplete). For preservation reasons, researchers are not allowed direct access to the
original documentation. The intrinsic value of this documentary heritage demands security measures and
restricted access to the original. The National Academy of History offers micro-film consultation and
paper copies as a service to historical research. Presently, the Academy plans on offering the Miranda
Archive on CD-ROM format for consultation. Despite budget restrictions, the institute has drawn up plans
for computerisation and extended co-operative conservation agreements.
Custody of the documentation is entrusted to the Academy of History, specifically to the Library-Archive
Department. Regarding its physical situation, it is located in the Library-Archive's bureau, stored within a
special crystal and bronze coffer, crowned by Miranda's effigy. Everyday, the lateral shutters of the urn are
opened to ventilate the contents.
The collection is adequately protected from light and humidity and is revised weekly by conservation
specialists. It receives its own budget allocation and special treatment under the institute’s preservation
policy. Particularly, to control the physical environment - i.e. air quality, temperature, humidity, light
levels, shelving, storage, security, building maintenance, handling by staff and users and display
techniques.
These measures aptly conform to international preservation and conservation standards as established by
IFLA-PAC. Furthermore, the Palace of Academies (Palacio de las Academias), seat of the National
History Academy is equipped with a sophisticated disaster protection system, which consists of different
types of highly sensitive alarms. The area where Miranda’s papers are kept is resistant to high
temperatures. The metallic coffer that houses the Archive was designed and built in Italy and is fire proof.
The shutters were especially designed and are made with security glass resistant both to blows and high
temperatures.
5
The conservation area comprises four (4) employees, co-ordinated and trained by a specialist qualified
through the National Centre for Paper Conservation, at the National Library of Venezuela.
The National Academy of History has instituted the adoption of preservation policies as a main priority. In
1999, the Academy joined efforts with the National Library of Venezuela to accomplish a co-operative
venture for conservation purposes. The activities ensuing from this undertaking have consolidated into
effective scientific and technical counselling provided to the Academy's staff, which has received various
courses on paper conservation and physical maintenance of documentary collections.
-
Physical Location:
National Academy of History
Library-Archive Direction
Av. Universidad
Bolsa a San Francisco
Palacio de las Academias
Caracas - Distrito Federal
República de Venezuela
Zona Postal 1010
Telefax: (58-2) 482-3849
-
Legal Information
Owner: The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Custodian: National History Academy, Archive-Library Department
Legal Status
Category of ownership: Public
Details of legal and administrative provisions for the preservation of the documentary heritage:
The Organic Decree regulating the original scope of the National History Academy (art 2, section 1.2)
states:
"This academy shall fulfil the following obligations: 1. To collect historical printed documents and
manuscripts for the library (...) 3. To acquire and build up collections of any type of item which may be
classified as an historical testimonial; (...) To collect documents on historical Venezuelan subjects from all
the various records of public proceedings, so that full national annals are built up from the date the
Academy is opened."...
Regulations of National History Academy, article 11. "THE ARCHIVE LIBRARIAN. The duties of the
Archive Librarian are as follows: to be responsible for the preservation and ordering of books and
manuscripts in the Academy and to produce indexes; to buy books and manuscripts under the terms of
Organisation Agreements"...
National Archive Law (article 4): "National historical documents and general government documents shall
be preserved in the National Archive, which shall henceforth be known as the General Archive of the
Nation, in the National Congress Archive, in the National History Academy Archive and in subsidiary
Executive Department archives..."
6
Copyright status: None
Responsible administration
The National History Academy is an independent public organisation. It was set up by Presidential Decree
on 28 October 1888. It possesses administrative autonomy, i.e. it is allocated an annual budget.
Custodianship of the documentation is the responsibility of the Archive-Library Department, as laid down
in article 11 of the regulations of the National History Academy mentioned earlier.
Detail from the plaques allusive to
Francisco de Miranda's stay in
London, between 1803 and 1810.
G. Jouvet. Francisco de Miranda,
Paris 1920.
Oil on canvass. 80,5 x 64,6 cm.,
John Boulton Foundation
Collection, Caracas, Venezuela.
(A copy from the original by
George Rouget, c.1793. Versailles
National Museum, Paris, France).
7
Francisco de Miranda's home
(Grafton Street, 58, London,
England). Restoration was carried
out in 1983. (Plaques allusive to
Francisco de Miranda's stay in
London, between 1803 and 1810.)
General view of the house where
Francisco de Miranda lived in
London (Grafton Street, 58),
between 1803 and 1810, and
plaques allusive to his residence in
that city.
8
Bust placed on top of the coffer that houses Francisco de Miranda's
original archive, at the National Academy of History Archives,
Caracas, Venezuela. (Bronze bust by O. Montaguti, Roversi
Foundry, in Bologna, Italy).
Panoramic view of the coffer that contains Francisco de Miranda's
original archive, at the National Academy of History Archives, Caracas,
Venezuela.
9
Facsimile of a page from
Miranda's Diary, Travels
Section, custodied by the
National
Academy
of
History.
Closeup of General
Francisco de Miranda's
Archives. Volumes
belonging to his original
archive, Colombeia,
custodied by the
National Academy of
History Archives,
Caracas, Venezuela.