Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/59

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EVOLUTION OF OPINION.
43

Iturrigaray received the address graciously, affirming that he would shed the last drop of his blood in the protection of the country, and that he was ready to take the oath of loyalty.[1] A crowd had gathered, for all was done openly, and when the viceroy dismissed the regidores the people shouted, and among them largess was liberally flung by supporters of the project. The audiencia did not like it, and their wrath waxed hot when, during the day, Iturrigaray laid the address before the real acuerdo and asked their vote upon the matter.[2] The ayuntamiento was presumptuous; further, the members were mostly Creoles. So the audiencia rejected the proposition, as contrary to law and the public weal,[3] thereby bringing chagrin upon Iturrigaray, who of course regarded with favor a change which would have secured him in power, whatever turn affairs might take.[4]

As nearly as we can interpret ideas so vague as were these in the minds of those who held them, the several shades of opinion, of inclination, hope, fantasy, were somewhat as follows: The viceroy

  1. 'Terminó pues esta escena, en la que todo estaba convenido, de antemano entre el virey y Azcárate.' Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 170.
  2. Copy of note to the real acuerdo will be found in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., i. 486.
  3. In the reply of the real acuerdo, these words are used: 'Aquel nombramiento provisional y juramento, debilitarian mas bien que afirmarian aquellos sagrados inalterables vínculos y constituirian un gobierno precario expuesto á variaciones, y tal vez á caprichos ahora ó en lo venidero, y por tanto seria ademas de ilegal, impolítico este paso.' The viceroy is advised to assure the ayuntamiento 'que cuando convenga y nos hallemos en circunstancias que lo exijan, no se desentenderá V. E. ni este Real Acuerdo de convocar ó al cuerpo entero ó á sus representantes.' Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., i. 487.
  4. On the occasion of the ayuntamiento having sent two commissioners to the viceroy a few days afterward, one, the marqués de Uluapa, as affirmed by the alcalde Fagoaga, reported to the corporation that he had protested to the viceroy 'que el ayuntamiento no descansaria hasta colocarlo sobre el trono.' Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 173. A short time later, in the disposal of civil and military positions Iturrigaray's assumption of prerogatives never before exercised by any viceroy caused growling. 'Tales disposiciones se citaban como ejemplares del poder soberano que empezaba á ejercer el virey y como escalones para el trono á que intentaba subir.' Id., 233-4. José’ Lnis Alconedo, a silversmith, was charged with making a crown for Iturrigaray's coronation. Id., 295. Guerra disbelieves in Iturrigaray's aspirations to a throne. Hist, Rev. N. Esp., i. 70.