Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/628

608 report was well founded, the encomenderos became excited, and used strong language in expressing their discontent. The fact that neither the audiencia nor the visitador spoke of the matter made it look worse to them; the authorities were going to spring upon them some great injustice, they thought. Complainants began secretly to declare that a vassal's allegiance was binding only so long as the sovereign respected his pledges; and as they had humbly laid before his Majesty their grievances, claiming only their rights, which were denied to them, they should fall back upon force, not in the spirit of rebellion, but by way of defence.

Among the more angry and active were the brothers Ávila. In expressing their views they failed to observe common prudence. They had no regular place of meeting, and held no formal conferences. A number of those most in earnest assembled a few times at the house of Alonso de Ávila, but for a while they arrived at no line of action; they talked over the proposed movement, and welcomed any one disposed to join them. With those who were truly friendly came spies, pretending to be on their side, but in truth wishing only to learn their secrets in order to destroy them. Thanks to the stupidity of Alonso de Ávila, enough knowledge was in the hands of the opposing faction to bring the necks of the encomenderos very near the halter.

As reported by these same enemies, the plan was to proclaim as king of New Spain the marqués del Valle, whose father had conquered the country without aid from the sovereign of Castile; then to call together in parliament the proxies of the cities and villas to recognize and swear allegiance to the new king; to despatch to Rome as envoy a prelate to ask the pope for the investiture of the kingdom; and to solicit from the French sovereign a free pass through his dominions whenever the new government desired to send a messenger to the holy city, offering in return to open