Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/650

Rh Mexico could no longer patiently endure the yoke. The remedy was worse than the disease; if anything could make traitors it was Muñoz' conduct. Public discontent had by this time reached such a point that the country's peace was really in danger, far more in danger than at any time previous. Measures were taken by the best men to rid New Spain of the crown agent; if the king would do it, well; if not, they would do it themselves. Evading the watchfulness of Muñoz and his minions, they forwarded to Madrid correct accounts of the past and present condition of things over their own signatures. Petitions went to the king from all quarters in Mexico, showing the whole country to be in mourning, in dread and constant alarm, and in actual danger of revolution. And this would cease, the writers said, if Muñoz and Carrillo were at once removed; not otherwise. The crafty and cruel, cold and unscrupulous Philip saw at once that this was no case of iron-heel justice; moreover, he was really indignant at the conduct of Muñoz, who had so infamously misrepresented him. He therefore immediately despatched to Mexico the oidores Villanueva and Puga, the same persons whom Valderrama had dismissed, with orders to depose Muñoz and Carrillo, and compel them to quit the capital within three hours. The two dismissed rulers were to repair to Madrid and explain their acts.

The oidores arrived the 13th of April, 1568, which was holy Tuesday. These officials knew what it was to be up, and what it was to be down. They had been displaced, and they knew how to displace another. The other members of the audiencia were pleased to receive them; nothing could be worse than as it had been. Muñoz was a pious man; for so old and so rank a sinner he was exceedingly pious. He was spending holy week at the convent of Santo Domingo, deep in king-craft; for as he had ruled here, so would he if possible rule hereafter. The oidores were all a little afraid of him; nevertheless it was not an