from Madrid, on their way to the ports at which they were to be embarked. It was done with the utmost secrecy, and even the officers charged with the duty, though many of them were doubtless friends, relatives, and supporters of the victims, dared not disobey.[1] To other parts of the Spanish dominions strict orders had been transmitted, and dates exactly fixed for the arrest of every member of the society of Jesus. Troops were at hand to aid the authorities should necessity arise.
Let us now return to New Spain and see how the order was executed; and let us mark carefully the method of it, for it is full of interest and instruction. Early in the evening of the 24th of June 1767, the viceroy, marquds de Croix, received in the palace the audiencia, the archbishop of Mexico, and the rest of the high officials, whom he had summoned to a meeting for the consideration of an important and confidential affair of state. Croix then produced a sealed package which he had received from the supreme government. Upon removing the outer envelope there was found another, upon which was written the following words: "So pena de la vida, no abrireis este pliego hasta el 24 de Junio á la caida de la tarde."[2] This cover being removed there were found instructions concerning the measures to be adopted in the arrest of the Jesuits, naming the men who were to do the work, and telling how they should do it. On removing the last wrapper the full order was found expressed in the following terms: “I invest you with my whole authority and royal power that you shall forthwith repair with an armed force—á mano armada—to the houses of the Jesuits. You will seize the persons of all of them, and despatch them within twenty-four hours as prisoners to the port of Vera Cruz, where they will be embarked on vessels pro-
