Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/148

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

128

JESUIT LABORS AND STRIFES.

ing him from his office as visitador general;^[1] but after some difficulties, originated by the Jesuits, he was again recognized as prelate of his diocese.^[2] His first measure was to renew his protests against the proceedings of the judges and to request of the viceroy a reconciliation, or at least a temporary revocation of the censures and edicts, leaving the decision of the entire matter to the India Council. The proposal was accepted and peace seemed to be restored, the more so, when at Christmas the Jesuits paid the bishop the customary visit of respect, "humbly to kiss that hand of which the Lord had chosen to make use to deal them such afflicting, sensible blows." The color of affairs, however, was changed, when in May 1648 bishop Torres y Rueda took possession of the government, and cédulas were received which the bishop interpreted as favorable to his cause. Already, before his flight from Puebla, he had sent messengers to Rome and Madrid, there to plead in his behalf, and a subsequent letter, written during his retirement,^[3] again urged the king for redress. In reply there arrived letters from the court dated January 25, 1648, reprimanding the viceroy,^[4] the audiencia, and the archbishop for lack of neutrality, and the Dominicans for promoting scandal instead of suppressing it; the judges were suspended; the provincial of the Jesuits was reproved for having gone too far; and orders were

↑ Pedro de Galvez, alcalde of Granada, was appointed to finish the visita. He arrived in 1650, and having concluded his mission, returned to Spain in the beginning of 1654. Guijo, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser. i. 107-276, passim.
↑ He found on this occasion the support of the viceroy, who apparently desired a reconciliation. Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 149, says erroneously that this occurred in the beginning of August, 1647.
↑ Dated September 12, 1647, from Chiapa, near Tepeaca, and containing a narrative of all the events that had occuired since March of that year. Referring to the numerous copies of documents and libels, issued by both parties, the bishop defends his conduct and divides the blame and responsibility between the Jesuits, as instigators, and the viceroy as coöperator. Protesting his conciliatory disposition, he requests the king to adopt measures powerful enough to avoid in future similar excesses, especially those committed by the representative of the crown. Palafox, Obras, xii. 176-285.
↑ Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 150, makes the strange assertion that Salvatierra was removed to the viceroyalty of Peru in consequence of his interference.

[1] Pedro de Galvez, alcalde of Granada, was appointed to finish the visita. He arrived in 1650, and having concluded his mission, returned to Spain in the beginning of 1654. Guijo, Diario, in Doc. Hist. Mex., 1st ser. i. 107-276, passim.

[2] He found on this occasion the support of the viceroy, who apparently desired a reconciliation. Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 149, says erroneously that this occurred in the beginning of August, 1647.

[3] Dated September 12, 1647, from Chiapa, near Tepeaca, and containing a narrative of all the events that had occuired since March of that year. Referring to the numerous copies of documents and libels, issued by both parties, the bishop defends his conduct and divides the blame and responsibility between the Jesuits, as instigators, and the viceroy as coöperator. Protesting his conciliatory disposition, he requests the king to adopt measures powerful enough to avoid in future similar excesses, especially those committed by the representative of the crown. Palafox, Obras, xii. 176-285.

[4] Rivera, Gobernantes, i. 150, makes the strange assertion that Salvatierra was removed to the viceroyalty of Peru in consequence of his interference.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]