The archbishop showed himself no less energetic in collecting and wording his evidence, in which he figured as a martyr to religion. The viceroy had interfered also in his jurisdiction, and had persecuted clergymen and oidores for daring to expostulate. In support of his representation he did not hesitate to include the declarations of aged nuns, who professed to have beheld the viceroy's adherents in the form of demons, and to have heard a supernatural voice denounce the marquis for his disobedience to the prelate. To another had been reveled that those who attacked the palace were souls from purgatory led by their guardian angel.[1]
As for the viceroy, his documents and letters of defence were, after long delay, given an opportunity for transmission in the treasure fleet; but this was wrecked, with the loss of two millions of precious metals, and Gelves' majordomo, Juan de Baeza, went down with the documents in his-charge.[2] Some earlier reports by him and his adherents appear, however, to have reached Spain.
The court was not a little astonished and perplexed on receiving the news from Mexico. It could not well
- ↑ 'The nun had prophesied the riot. Doc. Hist. Mex„ série ii. tom. iii. 25-49. Other testimony appears on pp. 230-74.
- ↑ Mex. Rel. Sum., 13. Urrutia names the messengers Melchor de Córdoba and Gerónimo de Valenzuela, and relates that the documents were smuggled into their hands by the aid of a laborer at the convent where Gelves was living. They further took the precaution of leaving the city with dogs and falcons as if for a hunt. Once outside they hastened to Vera Cruz to embark on the ill-fated fleet with which they were to perish. Rel., in Mex. y sus Disturbios, MS., i. 363, 497. This smuggling probably applies to an earlier report sent by Gelves.
officials at will, selecting those who unscrupulously carried out his orders, without regard to their fitness; he had interfered with the duties of the audiencia and municipality, taking upon himself to decide in many of their affairs; he shocked the feelings of the community by his lack of respect for religion, thereby setting a dangerous example to evil-disposed persons. If the municipality had formerly praised the viceroy, it was due to intimidation; for he had not only exiled the more independent regidores, but caused all their reports to be submitted to him, and to be filled with praise of himself. As for the rioters, they were chiefly Indians and mestizos of feeble intelligence, actuated by a loyal though misdirected zeal for the king. Regidores Gaviria and Valencia should be rewarded for their good services in restoring order. Ib., Libro Capitular, pt. xxv. 82-8.
