Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/515

Rh great misfortune there exist in America an ancient division and bitter enmity between Europeans and creoles, an enmity capable of producing the most fatal results, and which must ever be a source of apprehension to the government. I deemed it necessary to look seriously at this matter, and to take active steps to check the evil at the start."

During the night of November 9th, the conspirators were surprised "without noise or scandal," at their place of meeting, and imprisoned. The greatest care was taken to conceal from the public the motive for this proceeding, so as not to excite the rancor between the two classes. Though Azanza by this measure rooted out a conspiracy of which he affected to speak lightly, it was understood that he foresaw the coming storm, and was desirous of leaving the country. The prisoners, who expected summary punishment, enjoyed the benefit of the delicate political situation of the country. According to the opinion of many, among whom was the oidor Guillermo de Aguirre, the day which should see a criminal of that class executed, would be the commencement of a reaction, the result of which would be the independence of New Spain. Several of the conspirators died in prison, and the others, it seems, were released by Azanza's successor.

Azanza's judgment concerning the political fermentations was well founded. During the administration of his successor, Marquina, a conspiracy was discovered in Nueva Galicia among the natives, headed by an Indian named Mariano, son of the governor of Tlaxcala, who had pretensions to royalty. His plan comprised nothing less than the reestablishment of the ancient