Spanish History in Pasig Documents

There is much history to be found in documents, official seals, and letterheads of the past. One interesting discovery in the so-called "Tech Documents" of Pasig, dated 1836, revealed a seal and letterhead bearing the inscription: HISP. ET IND. R. FERD. VII D.G.—an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Hispaniarum et Indiarum Rex, Ferdinandus VII Dei Gratia (Ferdinand VII, by the grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies). However, the bottom inscription mentioned Isabel II, who was the reigning Spanish monarch at that time. How do we reconcile this document within its proper historical context? Remarkably, the letterhead itself reflects the turbulent period in Spain’s history, the reign of Ferdinand VII --The years when Napoleon Bonaparte was also imposing his will across Europe. When Ferdinand VII’s father was deposed by Spanish Bonapartists, the French installed Ferdinand VII as king—effectively making him a puppet of Napoleon. Soon after, Ferdinand was deposed and replaced by...