King Charles IV, at Aranjuez, issued a Royal Decree concerning the legal status of foundlings in Spain and in the colonies. The reason was his concern for the thousands of abandoned children in his dominions, who yearly perished or suffered ill-treatment, and who because their legitimacy could not be verified, were regarded as bastards or worse. The decree therefore bestowed civil legitimacy upon all foundlings. The King further ordered that the fact of having been an orphan must not be considered a mark of infamy. These children could not be discriminated against in civil matters, and they were to be eligible to attend school, to receive scholarships or legacies, and to hold office. Punishment meted out to a foundling could not be more severe than that given to any other person. The King finally ordered the decree to be incorporated into the laws of Spain and the laws of the Indies and commanded all Royal officials to obey it faithfully.
