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Rh the slave or adversary of this powerful society which, not content with directing the consciences of kings, aspired to holding the reins of politics in their hands. He published papers unveiling the ambitious intrigues and cupidity of the Jesuits who, to maintain their power, had amassed great riches through commerce, of which they sought to hold the monopoly. He took away from them the post of Confessor to the King and royal family, then when an attempt was made to assassinate D. José I, he declared the Jesuits accomplices in the crime, ordered their goods to be seized, and arrested all the members of the Order. They were conducted on board several vessels to leave the country, though such as consented to quit the society were allowed to stay in Portugal. This expulsion of the Jesuits in 1760 was the most difficult and remarkable act of the Pombal administration. There are Jesuits in Portugal today in spite of this "alto feito" of the Marquis de Pombal, and at intervals comes the cry now as then, "Abaixo o Jesuitismo!" (Down with Jesuitism!) when people are summoned in heated journalistic lingo as true lovers of liberty to sign a petition to be presented to the Cortes demanding the Government to fulfil the letter of the decree which refers to the expulsion of the Jesuits and extinction of religious Orders.

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