viceroy had really been the first promoter of independence, and had fallen a victim to the cause! And further, the claim was respected. The Mexican congress in 1824 stopped proceedings, and restored to Iturrigaray's heirs the $400,000 invested in the mining tribunal. Such was the result of one of the most important and memorable investigations made during the whole period of viceregal administration. [1]
The trial of Iturrigaray, while exposing his grasping avarice and nefarious transactions, throws little light upon his political pretensions. It is only by a consideration of the discussions carried on by his supporters and opponents, by an impartial estimate of the effect of his administrative acts, [2] and by a close study of his character that we may reasonably expect any light on his secret intentions or expectations. Not only did his enemies directly accuse him of treasonable designs, but even insinuated that he was not unwilling at one time to recognize Murat, Napoleon's representative in Madrid. [3] But this is far fetched; and in regard
- ↑ Alaman states that the heirs surreptitiously obtained from the audiencia archives the original process against the ex-viceroy. Proceedings were instituted against Guiol, who abstracted them. Alaman received his information from Senator Olaguibcl, who defended Guiol at his trial, and authorized Alaman to use his name in proof of the fact. Hist. Mej., i. 267.
- ↑ Nothing gained for him more hostile feeling than the strictness with which he conducted the consolidation of the funds of the Obras Pias: 'Interesóle en este maldito negociado en un tanto por ciento el Ministerio Español, y asi procuró hacer efectivas sus providencias con un rigor, que le atrajo el odio del Reyno.' Thus writes Bustamante, one of his principal defenders. Cuadro, Hist., ed. 1823, i., carta 1a, 15.
- ↑ At the junta held on the 9th of August, 1808, according to Martiñena, the viceroy used these words: 'Señores, aun estamos en tiempo de reconocer al duque de Berg, ¿que dicen V. SS.?' and when all exclaimed, No Señor! no señor!’ Iturrigaray, observing that the oidor decano Ciriaco Gonzalez Carvajal was conspicuously emphatic, asked him. 'Y que dirá V. S. si lo ve autorizado con la firma del Señor Porlier?' Rev. Verdadero Origen, ii. 36. Bustamante's version is very different. He states that when the question of submission to the orders of Murat was put, the oidores turned pale, 'mas el virey con ánimo denodado la decidió, diciendo, que no lo obedeceria inientras mandase un ejercito.' He afterward cast this timidity in their teeth: 'Diciendoles á los mismos oidores. . .Que. . .solo despues que han visto mejorarse las cosas era cuando estaban valientes.' Sup. Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 228
