Instruccion que ha de observarse para distribuir los caudales que se habian de emplear en fiestas, y recocijos públicos por el feliz nacimiento del Infante y por orden de S.M. se destinan para Dote de doncellas honestas, pobres y huérfanas de padre: Women - Offering dowries to women of marriagable age

Instruccion que ha de observarse para distribuir los caudales que se habian de emplear en fiestas, y recocijos públicos por el feliz nacimiento del Infante y por orden de S.M. se destinan para Dote de doncellas honestas, pobres y huérfanas de padre, [Madrid] : [s.n.], [1771]. [7] p.; Fol. Text Dated in Madrid 12 de noviembre de 1771.

This is part of a project of social engineering by the Spanish Enlightenment reformer the Conde de Aranda. In the XVIIIth century Spain faced a situation de depopulation that the king´s ministers tried to deal with in different ways, even encouraging foreign settlers to come to Spain. With this scheme the Conde de Aranda sought to increase the number of families throughout the country by offering dowries to women of marriagable age 'doncellas', from 15 to 30. who were 'honest, poor and had no father'. The 'doncellas' who had a physical impediment such as blindness were excluded. Aranda used the budget for the celebration of the birth in 1771 of Charles III's son, Carlos Clemente Antonio, to finance the dowries. The candidates were subjected to a thorough investigation by the town halls to ensure their suitability. The fact that the whole process was carried out in public including a draw among the candidates points to a public exposure that not all the possible candidates must have welcomed.

Those who obtained the dowry were obliged to find a husband within four months among the poor peasants of the neighbourhood. If the male suitor was deemed unsuitable the young women had to look for another husband. Once the conditions were met the town hall was in charge of paying for what was required to set up a farm and house including animals, grain, trousseau, and the rent. Whatever money was left the Town hall had to give to the husband and not the wife.