244 THEIR EXPULSION FROM SPANISH DOMINIONS. 



These fears had seized the mind of Charles III. who dreaded a 

 divided dominion in America, with the venerable fathers. We do 

 not believe that there was just cause for the royal alarm. We do 

 not suppose that the Jesuits whose members, it is true, were 

 composed of the subjects of all the Catholic powers of Europe, 

 ever meditated political supremacy in Spanish America, or designed 

 to interfere with the rights of Charles or his successors. But the 

 various orders of the Roman church, — the various congregations, 

 and convents of priests and friars, — are unfortunately, not free 

 from that jealous rivalry which distinguishes the career of laymen 

 in all the other walks of life. 



It may be that some of the pious brethren, whose education, 

 manners, position, wealth or power, was not equal to the influence, 

 social rank and control, of the Jesuits, had, perhaps, been anxious 

 to drive this respectable order from America. It may be, that the 

 king and his council were willing to embrace any pretext to rid his 

 colonial possessions of the Jesuits. But certain it is, that on the 

 25th of June, before the dawn of day, at the same hour, through- 

 out the whole of New Spain the decree for their expulsion was 

 promulgated by order of Charles. The king was so anxious 

 upon this subject, that he wrote, with his own hand, to the viceroy 

 of Mexico, soliciting his best services in the fulfilment of the royal 

 will. When the question was discussed in the privy council of the 

 sovereign, a chart of both Americas was spread upon the table, — 

 the distances between the colleges of the Jesuits accurately calcu- 

 lated, — and the time required for the passage of couriers, carefully 

 estimated, so that the blow might fall simultaneously upon the 

 order. The invasion of Havana by the English and its successful 

 capture, induced the king to supply his American possessions 

 with better troops, and more skilful commanders than had been, 

 hitherto, sent to the colonies. Thus there were various, veteran 

 Spanish regiments in Mexico capable of restraining any outbreaks 

 of the people in favor of the outraged fathers who had won their 

 respect and loyal obedience. 



At the appointed hour, the order of Charles, was enforced. 

 The Jesuits were shut up in their colleges, and all avenues to 

 these retreats of learning and piety were filled with troops. 

 The fathers were despatched from Mexico for Vera Cruz on 

 the 28th of June, surrounded by soldiers. They halted awhile 

 in the town of Guadalupe, where the Visitador Galvez, who 

 governed the expedition, permitted them to enter, once more, into 

 the national sanctuary, where amid the weeping crowds of Mexi- 



