Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/59

Rh Iturrigaray received the address graciously, affirming that he would shed the last drop of his blood in the protection of the country, and that he was ready to take the oath of loyalty. A crowd had gathered, for all was done openly, and when the viceroy dismissed the regidores the people shouted, and among them largess was liberally flung by supporters of the project. The audiencia did not like it, and their wrath waxed hot when, during the day, Iturrigaray laid the address before the real acuerdo and asked their vote upon the matter. The ayuntamiento was presumptuous; further, the members were mostly Creoles. So the audiencia rejected the proposition, as contrary to law and the public weal, thereby bringing chagrin upon Iturrigaray, who of course regarded with favor a change which would have secured him in power, whatever turn affairs might take.

As nearly as we can interpret ideas so vague as were these in the minds of those who held them, the several shades of opinion, of inclination, hope, fantasy, were somewhat as follows: The viceroy