its members were absolved, and others state,
more explicitly, that the absolution was only given in the archbishop's
mind, and explained by himself with a sort of benediction. It seems
that, as a result, they put an end to the lawsuits; but, when the
water stopped falling, it rained pebbles.

On Saturday, December 10, the ecclesiastical cabildo, which had
governed the see, was notified of all these matters, and that it
must be regarded as suspended and under censure [110] for having
accepted the government. At the same time, edicts were posted making
null all the confessions made to the members of the cabildo or to
those persons to whom they had given license [to hear confessions],
and all other things that had been effected by their authority--as
marriages, [the bestowal of] chaplaincies and curacies, etc. [111]
These edicts commanded that, under penalty of major excommunication,
latae sententiae, all [persons concerned] should present themselves
within six days, with the documents and other papers [in the case];
[112] thereupon many men who were dissatisfied with their wives, and
women tired of their husbands, tried to find other spouses who were
more congenial. The scruples of people regarding their confessions
may well be imagined; and this, too, when Lent was past. But the
most astute (although harsh) measure was the command, under the same
penalty, that no one should speak, assert, or teach anything contrary
to the tenor of the said edict. The Dominican fathers, moreover,
even said in the pulpits, when exultant tanquam victores capta preda,
[113] that there is no person in these islands, except the Dominican
religious, who has the ability or learning to make a decision in a case
of morals. Thus the poor prebends are suspended; nor have they any
recourse, since the royal Audiencia is now disarmed. The archbishop
proceeded to welcome them with much kindness, telling them that now
they came to his illustrious Lordship, because they had recourse in
no other direction--words which have aroused much comment, as being
insulting to the king and inimical to his royal patronage; and he
added, that they deserved to be degraded from office and handed over
to the secular power. Above all, he tried to deprive them of their
prebends, and to thrust into the cathedral that dealer in fireworks,
Caraballo, and others of that stamp. The worst is, that he declares
that they cannot be dispensed from their irregular administration [of