Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/372

342 Church of Jalapa, which have been rejected in consequence of their being countersigned by the agent of the King of Spain at Rome. (Vide Report.)

In the Mandatory letters from Generals of the Monastic Orders, an entire change has also taken place. The Orders existing in Mexico were all, in their origin, branches of similar Orders established in the Peninsula, and dependant upon Generals residing there. On the declaration of the Independence, the Government, as a necessary precaution, prohibited all intercourse with the Generals, and this injunction has been hitherto complied with.

It is now the wish of the Executive, that the Mexican Provinces of Regulars should elect Generals, to reside in the territories of the Federation; but upon this point, nothing has been yet determined.

With regard to the interior discipline of the Convents, difficulties have occurred only in one instance. The Franciscans of Queretaro, were bound by the rules of their Order to observe what is termed la Tripartita in the choice of their Priors, who are elected every three years. By this rule, the election fell, for the first term of three years, upon a Spanish Monk, who had taken orders in the Peninsula; for the second, likewise upon a Spaniard, but one who had professed in Mexico; and for the third only, upon a Mexican born.

The Government naturally wished to do away with a distinction so unfavourable to Natives; but the Convent declared any change to be impossible,