Treasury C : a re-discovered archive at the National library

Abstract

This long essay will analyse the relevance and historical importance of a recently rediscovered archival fond at the National Library of Malta entitled Treasury Series C. This fond is divided into two main series the Massa Frumentaria and the Tesoreria del Governo. The period covered by these records is from around 1635 to 1813. The Massa Frumentaria was the grain fund administered by the Valletta Universitá, responsible for the importation of wheat and foodstuffs. It also functioned as a bank and was administered by the Maltese under the watchful eyes of the Knights of St. John. The Tesoreria del Governo series are the records of the Government Treasury in the protectorate years of 1800 to 1813 when Malta was not yet a British colony but under its protection. They portray a foreign power administering the finances of another country trying to do its best to please the Maltese and convince them that British annexation was their best option A detailed Item level description was also compiled in accordance with the General International Standard Archival Description (ISAD [G]), for each item of this archival fond.