Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/278

 242 A N E L L O. criminal. He had no lefs than 150,000 men under his cora- mand. An incredible multitude of women alfo appeared with arms of various forts, like fo many Amazons. A lift was made of above 60 perfons, who had farmed the taxes, or been any way concerned in the cuftomhoufes ; and, as it was faid they had enriched themOrlves with the blood of the people, and ought to be made examples to future ages, an order was iflued, that their houft.s and goods fhould be burnt, which was executed ;*:cordingly, and with fo much regulari- ty, that no one was fufFered to touch the leaft thing or carry it away. Many, for dealing but very fmall trifles from the flames, were hanged by the puSlic executioner in the market place, by the command of Maflaniello. While thefe horrid tragedies were acting, the viceroy thought of every method to appeafc the people, and bring them to an accommodation. He applied to the archbifhop, of whofe attachment to the government he was well af- ( fured, and of whofe paternal care and affection for them the people had no doubt. He gave him the original charter of Charles Vth (which exempted them from all taxes, and which they had all along infifted upon) confirmed by lawful authority, and likewife an indulgence or pardon for all of- fences whatfoever committed. The bifhop found means to induce MafTanielk) to convoke all the captains and chief commanders of the people together, and great hopes were conceived that an happy accommodation would enfue. In the mean time 500 banditti, all armed on horfeback, entered the city, under pretence that they came for the ferviee of the people, but in reality to deftrcy Maffaniello, as it appear- ed afterwards ; for they difcharged feveral (hot af him, fome of which very narrowly miffed him. This immediately put a flop to the whole bufinefs, and it was fufpected that the viceroy had fome hand in the con<piracy. The ftrcets were immediately barricaded, and orders were given that the aque- ducts leading to thecaftle, where the viceroy and family and all the principal officers of ftate were, fhould be cut off, and that no provifions, except fome few roots and herbs, fhould be carried thither. The viceroy applied again to the arch- bsfliop, to allure the people of his fincere good intentions to- wards them, his abhorrence of the deligns of the banditti, and his refolution to ufe all his authority to bring them to due punifhment. Thus the treaty was again renewed, and foon compleated ; which being done, it was thought proper that Maflaniello fliould go to the palace to vifit the viceroy. He gave orders that all the ftieets leading to it fhould be clean fvvept,