Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/170

150 criminal was condemned to be dragged throug the streets, and thence taken to the gibbet. His head and right hand were to be cut off and exposed, the former on the main square, the latter, together with his sword, in front of the door of the cathedral where the crime had been committed. Three hours later the tribunals and loyal inhabitants of Mexico had the satisfaction of witnessing the execution of the sentence, the corpse, feet upwards, remaining exhibited on the gallows till late in the afternoon.

Public demonstrations of joy and processions, arranged by the archbishop and the religious corporations, celebrated the escape of the viceroy from death.

A few months later Alburquerque was informed that the conde de Baños had been appointed his successor, and that he himself was promoted to the viceroyalty of Sicily. At the same time the archbishop was recalled, and both set sail from Vera Cruz in May 1661, In September the duke surrendered the reins of power to the new viceroy at Santa Ana, as was the custom. His residencia was begun at the same time by Ginés Morote, but difficulties between the latter and the audiencia prevented its completion until 1662, when it was concluded by the oidor