returned it with the request that it be read to him. This was done, and raising himself on his shoulder he listened, speechless with surprise, to the words of his sovereign, who, under pretext of bestowing on him greater favors, bade him deliver up the reins of power to the archbishop and return to Spain. "This is a hard blow, but the orders of the king must be obeyed," was his answer. Informed that his successor had already assumed office and demanded his early departure from Mexico, he left the capital between seven and eight o'clock, poorly equipped and with a scanty retinue,[1] and retired to the convent of the barefooted Franciscans at Churubusco, a few miles distant. When the inhabitants awoke, they learned with amazement how close to the verge of rebellion the province had been, and that but for the prudence and energy of the new viceroy the stain of sedition had been branded on the most noble and loyal city of New Spain. Such was at least the manner in which the friends of the bishop justified his conduct, and though the people believed it for a while, they were soon undeceived.
On the 10th of June[2] Palafox inaugurated his rule, and his first measure was to place under embargo all the property and papers belonging to his predecessor,[3] whose residencia he immediately began to take. The conduct of Escalona and of certain of his friends and attendants who were in prison, was closely scrutinized; but all efforts failed to secure evidence of the suspected conspiracy. The people, always inclined to sympathize with the unfortunate,
- ↑ 'En un coche de dos mulas, mal aliñada la persona y con un solo page.' Palafox, El Ven. Señor, 21.
- ↑ The son of Escalona in his complaint to the king says erroneously that the bishop took these measures on the night of a Sunday, which would have been June 10th. Escalona, Defensa in Vir. Instruc., MS., 1st ser., no. 1, 1-2. Lorenzana, referring to the Libro de Cabildo, says Palafox entered into office on the 9th. Hist. N. Esp., 23.
- ↑ Cavo, Tres Siglos, ii. 14, followed by Zamacois, Hist. Méj., v. 330, makes the improbable assertion, that the duke's property was sold at auction.
