第11章

类别:其他 作者:R。 B。 Cunninghame Graham字数:14689更新时间:18/12/14 11:09:22
Justaboutthistime(1644 45)arumourwassetonfootthattheJesuitshaddiscoveredminesneartheirreductionsontheParana。TheserumourswerealwayssetaboutwhentherewasnothingelsebymeansofwhichtoattacktheJesuits。AnIndianbythenameofBuenaventura,whohadbeenaservantinaconventinBuenosAyres,onthisoccasionwastheinstrumentusedbytheirenemies。Forashorttimeeveryonebelievedhim,andexcitementwasintense;but,mostunluckily,Buenaventurahappenedatthezenithofhisnotorietytorunawaywithamarriedwoman,and,beingpursued,wasbroughttoBuenosAyres,andtheninpublicincontinentlywhipped。InanyothercountryBuenaventuraafterhispublicwhippingwouldhavebeendiscredited,butaletterarrivedfromtheBishopofParaguay,tellingtheGovernorofBuenosAyresthattheminesreallyexisted。AtthattimeanewGovernor,oneDonJacintodeLara,hadjustarrived。BeingnewtoAmericaanditsways,hestartedouthimselftotrythequestion,andwithfiftysoldiers,takingBuenaventuraashisguide,wenttothemissions。 Asmighthavebeenexpected,onthejourneyBuenaventuradisappeared,thistimealone。`Cettefuiteluidonnabeaucoupa\\penser,\' saysCharlevoix。Buthavinggonesofar,theGovernordeterminedtotrythequestionthoroughly。 FatherDiazTano,oneofthebestandhardest workingmissionarieswhoeverenteredParaguay,besoughttheGovernortosatisfyhimselfandsearchtheirterritoryforgoldandsilver,andrequestedhimtocallupontheBishopforconfirmationofthestatementshehadmade。 Thishedid,andthen,accompaniedbyhissoldiers,beganhissearch。 Hegaveoutthatthefirstmantofindamineshouldbeatoncepromotedtobecaptainandhavealargereward。 Afterseveraldays\'march,andhavingfoundnomines,letterswerebroughthimfromtheGovernorofParaguayandfromtheBishop。 Thefirstinformedhimthathehadheardrumoursofmines,butnothingcertain。Theseconddeclinedtospecifythemines,whichthusweredestinedtoremainforever,sotospeak,`inpartibus\'。 Buthegaveadvice,andgoodadviceisbetterthananymine,whetherofsilverorofgold。HetoldtheGovernortostartbyturningouttheJesuits,andhewouldfindtheprofitsoftheirexpulsionjustasvaluableasmines。 WhetherthisalsomadetheGovernorpensiveIdonotknow,but,luckily,theJesuits,whowereconcernedinexposingtheimposture,hadcomeonBuenaventura,andbroughthimironedtotheGovernor。 He,afterhavingtriedtomakehimconfesshisimposturewithoutsuccess,condemnedhimtobehung。TheJesuits,withtheiraccustomedhumanity(oringenuity),beggedforhislife。Thiswasaccordedtothem,andonceagainBuenaventurareceivedagoodsoundwhippingforhispains。 ThusendedthejourneyofDonJacinto,withoutprofittohimself,exceptsofarastheexperiencegained。NodoubthesawandmarkedtheJesuittowns,thechurchesbuiltofmassivetimberorofstone,andthecontentedairofIndiansandpriests,whichalwaysstruckalltravellersinthosetimes。Hesawthecountlessherdsofcattle,thecultivatedfields;enjoyed,nodoubtforthefirsttimesincearrivinginSouthAmerica,thesenseofperfectsafety,atthattimetobeexperiencedaloneinMisiones。Butindespiteofhisexposureoftheimposture,therumourastotheexistenceoftheminesneverdiedout,andlingersevento day,inspiteofgeologicalresearchinParaguay。 WhilstthiswasgoingoninMisiones,intheremoteandrecently converteddistrictoftheItatines,inthenorthofParaguay,theexamplesetbytheBishophadborneitsfruit。TheIndiansbecameunmanageable。 Oneofthechiefsbrokeintoopenrebellion,andwoundedaJesuitfathercalledArenasattheveryaltar steps。Soonthegeneralcorruptionofmannersbecamealmostuniversalthroughoutthedistrict。This,Ifancy,mustbetakentomeanthattheIndiansrevertedtopolygamy,fortheJesuitsalwayshadtroubleinthismatter,beingunabletopersuadetheIndiansoftheadvantageofmonogamy。 Butmostfortuitously,justasthegeneralcorruptiongainedallhearts,atigerrushedintothetown,and,afterkillingfourteenpeopleandsomehorses,disappearedagainintothewoods。 TheJesuits,everreadytotakeadvantageofeventslikethese,calledontheIndianstoseeinthevisitationofthetigerthewrathofHeaven,andtoleavetheirwickedways。 TheIndians,alwaysaswillingtosubmitastorevolt,submitted,andthegoodfathers`prirentlepartidefaireuncoupd\'autorite/,quileurre/ussit,\'asCharlevoixrelates。 Theydecoyedthechief,hisnephew,andson,intoanotherdistrict,wheretheyseizedandshippedthemofftwohundredleaguestoaremotereductionacrosstheUruguay。TheSpaniardsusedtosayofFerdinandVII。,whenhehadcommittedanygreatbarbarity,`HeisquiteaKing\'(`EsmuchoRey\'),andtheIndiansoftheItatinesesteemedtheJesuitsfortheir`coupd\'autorite\'inthesamemannerastheSpaniardstheirKing。 HisusualluckattendedCardenasinhisexileinCorrientes。ThistownformedpartofthedioceseofBuenosAyres,whichhappenedtobevacantatthetime。 HethereforetookuponhimselftoactjustashehadactedinParaguay appointedofficersofjustice,heldordinations,andinstitutedacampaignagainsttheJesuitsofthetown。 Whilsthewasthusoccupiedinhisfavouritepastimeofusurpingotherpeople\'sfunctions,twocitationsweresenthimtoappearbeforetheHighCourtofCharcas。Hedisregardedthem,andsentastatementofhiscasebythehandsofhisnephewtotheBishopofTucuman。IntheletterhesetforthallhiscomplaintsagainsttheGovernorofParaguay,callinghimaviolatoroftheChurch,aheretic,andgenerallyapplyingtohimallthosetermsinwhichathwartedchurchmanusuallyexhaleshisrage。 MixedupwiththiswasadetailedaccusationoftheJesuits,towhoseaccounthelaidallhismisfortuneswhilstinParaguay。 Lastly,hecalledupontheBishopofTucumantosummonaprovincialcounciltocondemnthemonstrousheresieswhichheattributedtotheJesuits,remindinghimthattheCouncilofTrenthadrecommendedtheholdingoffrequentprovincialcouncils,andstatinghisopinionthat,unlessacouncilwerecalledatonce,theBishopwouldincuramortalsin。 TheanswerCardenasreceivedfromTucumanwasmostironicallycouchedinthebeststylethathislong sufferingfriendwasabletocommand。 AfteraddressingCardenasas`yourillustriouslordship\',heproceededtodemolishallhisstatementsinsuchamannerastoarguethathehadhadmuchpracticewithrefractorypriestsinhisowndiocese。 HetoldhimthattheJesuitsweretheonlyOrderinParaguaythatreallyworkedamongsttheIndians。HeremindedhimthatfromthatOrderthe`secondPaul\',i。e。,St。FrancisXavier,hadhimselfissued。Heaskedhimwhether,asachurchman,hethoughttheyearlysumoftwelvethousandcrownsgivenbytheKingoutofthetreasuryofBuenosAyrestowardstheJesuits\'workwasbettersaved,orthatthethousandsofIndianswhomtheJesuitshadconvertedshouldbelosttoGod。Andastoheresy,hesaidhewasnojudge,leavingsuchmatterstothePope; butthatnooneaccusedtheJesuitsofcorruptionintheirmorals,orofanyofthegreatercrimestowhichthegreatfragilityofhumannaturerendersusliable。HeremindedhimtheJesuitshadmadenoaccusationontheirpart,butalwaysspokeofhimwithmoderationandrespect。 Andastoaprovincialcouncil,hesaidthatitwasimpossible,forthefollowinggoodcause:TheBishopofMisquewastooinfirmtotravel; theBishopofLaPazwaslatelydead,andtheseestillvacant; theBishopofBuenosAyresonlyjustarrived,andtoomuchoccupiedtoleavehisdiocese。Therefore,theonlyBishopsavailablewerehimselfandCardenas,andthattheyneverwouldagree。 MisqueisatleastfifteenhundredmilesfromTucuman。 `Moreover,\'heremarked,`whatisitthatyourillustriouslordshipwishesmetodo? `ToadviseaBishop? `Godhasonlygivenmethechargeofmyownsheep。YourlordshipknowsaswellasIdohowaBishopshouldcomporthimself。\' Hefinishedwithaquotation,sayingthataBishop\'sstatewasnottolie`insplendorevestium,sedmorum;nonadiram,sedutomnimodumpatientium。\' WhatCardenasrepliedisnotsetdowninanyhistorywhichhascomeundermyobservation,butwhathemusthavethoughtiseasytodivine。 TheGovernorofParaguay,notcontentwithhavingputhiscasebeforetheSupremeCourtofCharcas,sentalsototheCouncilGeneraloftheIndiesinSeville,detailingallthevagariesoftheBishop。TheJesuitsalsoempoweredanofficertorepresentthemthere。 Duringthesepreparations,andwhilsteveryonewasoffhisguard,theGuaycurusendeavouredtosurprisethecapital,andwouldhavedonesohadnotsomeregimentsofGuaranisarrivedintimefromthemissionterritory。Thisshouldhavebeenanobject lessontothosewhoalwaystriedtoshowtheJesuitsinthelightofenemiestotheauthorityoftheKingofSpain。Nothing,however,provedoftheleastavail,andthoughonseveraloccasionstheSpanishpowerinParaguaywasonlysavedbytheexertionsoftheJesuitsandtheirIndians,thecalumniesofCardenashadtakentoodeeproottobedispelled。 Meanwhile,inCorrientes,CardenasschemednightanddaytoreturntoParaguay。InhisowncityofLaPlatanaturallyhehadsomefriends,andthesedidalltheycouldtogethimreinstated。 Inspiteofalltheirefforts,anordercamefromCharcasforhimtoleavethecityunderpainofbanishment。AnyonebutCardenaswouldhavebeendisconcerted;he,though,pretended,asintheorderhewasstillstyledBishopofParaguay,thatbeforeleavingforCharcas,topresenthimselfbeforethecourt,hehadtogotoAsunciontonameaVicar General,andtowardstheendof1646heembarkedupontheriverforParaguay。 `QuelohagansalirdenuestrosReynosySen~orioscomoagenoyestran~o,porimportarassiparalaquietuddeaquellasProvincias,yalserviciodesuMajestad。\' TheGovernorwasonthealert,andsentavesselwithorderstoturnhimback,whichorderwascarriedoutinspiteofhisremonstrances,andhereturnedtoCorrientesinamiserablestate。 ThencameanothercitationtoappearatCharcas,andanintimationthathewasappointedBishopofPopayan。AsPopayan(inNewGranada) wasatleastthreethousandmilesfromAsuncion,hisjoyattheappointmentmusthavebeenextreme。 Hisfortunesnowseemeddesperate;ashesaidhimselfinalettertotheKing,`atanadvancedagehecouldnotundertakesogreatajourney\'; andoneverysidehisenemiesseemedtohavegottheupperhand。 In1648achangecameovereverything。DonGregorioHinestrosawasremovedfromParaguay,andanewGovernor,DonDiegoEscobardeOsorio,appointedinhisplace。ImmediatelythenewsreachedCardenashesetoutforParaguay。ArrivingatAsuncion,hisfriendsallmethimandtookhiminprocessiontotheCathedral。HisfirstthoughtwastorenewhispersecutionoftheJesuits。Mostunfortunatelyforthem,DonJuandePalafox,BishopofPuebladelosAngelesinMexico,whohadhimselfinMexicohadmanyquarrelswiththeJesuits,wrotebeggingCardenasandalltheBishopsofSouthAmericatojoinagainstthem。 ThisPalafoxwasafterwardsbeatified,andeveninhislifetimeenjoyedthereputationofasaint,sothathislettergreatlystrengthenedCardenas。 Notwithstandingthis,PalafoxinsubsequentworksofhisduringthetimethathewasBishopofOsma(inSpain)saidmanythingsinpraiseoftheworkdonebytheJesuitsinParaguay。 ThenewGovernor,himselfamemberoftheSupremeCourtofCharcas,hadneverbeenbeforeinParaguay,andthereforeresolvedtotreattheBishop(asDonGregoriohaddone)witheveryrespectduetohisstation。 TheBishopwantednothingbetter,andsawatoncehehadanotherfooltodealwith。ThereforehemadenosecretofhisintentionofnotcomplyingwiththecitationofthecourtatCharcas,andsethimselfatoncetopreachagainsttheJesuits,andstiruppopularresentmentagainstthem。 Unluckily,proofwaswantingofthecrimesheallegedtheyhadcommitted,soheresortedtothedeviceofgettingapetitionsignedbyallandsundry,askingfortheexpulsionoftheOrderfromParaguay。Likeallpetitions,itwaslargelysignedbywomenandbychildrenandbythosewhohadneverthoughtbeforeaboutthematter,butlikedtheopportunitytowritetheirnamesafterthenamesofothers,assheepgothroughagapormembersgivetheirvotes(outofmeresympathy) inthehighcourtofParliament。 Thisdevicehavingtakentoomuchtime,blankdocumentswerepassedaboutforalltowriteuponwhatevertheyimaginedtothedisadvantageoftheJesuits。Byanuntowardchance,abundleofthese,senttotheagentoftheBishopinSpain,wastakenonthevoyagebyanEnglishcorsair。Theworthypirate(nodoubtaProtestant)was,ifwecanbelievetheJesuits,extremelyscandalizedatthebadfaithofthosewhousedsuchmeansofwreakingtheirmalevolence。 SoallseemedonceagaintosmileuponDonBernardino,whonodoubtresumedhisflagellations,hismidnightservices,andhissayingoftwoMasses,andonceagainbecametheidolofthepeopleofAsuncion。 Butinthenorth,inthewilddistrictofCaaguayu,hardbythemountainsofMbaracaya,closetothegreat`yerbales\', theJesuitshadformedtwotownsamongsttheIndians。 ThesetwotownsweredestinedtobetheoutpostsofthecountryagainsttheincursionsofthewildIndiansfromtheChaco。 A`yerbal\'isaforestchieflycomposedofthe`IlexParaguayensis\',fromtheleavesofwhichthe`yerbamate\',or`Paraguayantea\',ismade。 TheBishopprevailedupontheGovernortolethimturnouttheJesuitsandreplacethembypriestsofanotherOrder。Thisbeingdone,theIndiansalldeserted,leavingthedistrictquiteuninhabited。 ThecourtatCharcas,hearingofthisfolly,sentanordertotheGovernortosendtheJesuitsback。AyearwaspassedinceaselesssearchingofthewoodsanddesertsfortheIndians,butonlyhalfofthepopulationcouldeverbepersuadedtoreturn,andFatherMansilla,theex missionary,diedofthehardshipsthatheunderwent。 FromthatdatedowntothetimeofDr。Francia(circa1812 35),thedistrictremainedadesert。Franciauseditasapenalsettlement,andto day,saveforafewwild,wanderingIndians,knownasCaaguas,andasparsepopulationofyerba gatherers,itstillremainsalmostunpopulated。 Meanwhile,thegeneralindignationagainsttheJesuitsseemedtoinfectallclassesofthepopulation。Certainly,thecitizensofAsuncionhadgoodandsufficientcausesofcomplaintagainsttheJesuits。 OnseveraloccasionstheeffortsoftheJesuitsandtheirIndiansalonehadsavedthecapitalfromthewildIndians,andbenefitsarehardtobear,ifonlyfromtheirrarity。 Popularhatred,tothefullasidioticasispopularapplause,fellchieflyuponFatherDiazTano hewhohadsavedtenthousandIndiansfortheKingofSpaininhiscelebratedretreatbeforetheMamelucosdowntheParana andhewasfrequentlyinsultedinthestreets。 FatherAntonioManquiano,aquietandlearnedman,wasalmostmurderedinopendaybyafuriousfanatic,whofelluponhimwiththeopenlyexpressedintent`toeathisheart\'。 ThiswasthemomentCardenaspitchedontodeclaretheentireOrderoftheJesuitsexcommunicated。Ashehadbeenayearawayfromthesceneofhisformerexploits,peoplewerenotsousedtoexcommunications,andthereforetookthemseriously。 AtthiseventfuljuncturetheGovernor,DonDiego,diedsosuddenlythatsuspicionsofhishavingbeenpoisonedwerearoused。 Scarcewashedeadthanallthepopulationassembledatthepalacetoelectaninterimsuccessor。Thiswasamostimportantthing,astocommunicatewithSpaintook,attheveryshortesttime,abouteightmonths。ByacclamationthechoicefellontheBishop,whothusfoundhimselfheadofthespiritualandthetemporalpoweratonce。 Theelectionwasabsolutelyillegal,astheSpanishlawprovidedthat,ifaGovernorofParaguayshouldchancetodie,thenominationofaninterimsuccessorshouldrestfirstwiththeViceroyofPeru,andfailinghimwiththeHighCourtofCharcas。 CardenasbasedhiselectiononthepretendededictoftheEmperorCharlesV。,but,ifhehadacopyoftheedict,neverproducedit。Asusual,`goodmendaringnot,andwisemencaringnot\',butonlyfoolsandschemerstakingpartintheelection,noseriousoppositiontohisusurpationwasencountered。 CardenasneverdoubtedforamomentthatthefunctionofaGovernorwastogovern,andhebeganatoncetodosowithawill。 Xarque,aSpanishwriter,givesthefollowingcuriousdescriptionofhowhesetabouttogetthepeopleonhissidetoexpeltheJesuits: Xarque,bookii。,cap。xl。,p。30。 PreachingonedayintheCathedral,aftertheconsecrationheturnedtowardsthepeople,and,showingtheholywafer,said,`Doyoubelieve,mybrethren,thatJesusChristishere?\' All,beingtruebelievers,answeredasonemanthatsuchwastheirbelief。 Inthesamewayasatascientificlecture,whenthelecturerholdsupsomesubstance,andsays,`Youallknowwellthatcalciumtungstateorbariumhydrocyanidehasthisortheotherproperty,\' thehearersnodassentlikesheep,beingafraidtocontradictsoglibastatementfromsoeminentaman。 ThensaidCardenas,`BelieveasfirmlythatIhaveanorderfromtheKingtoexpeltheJesuits。\'Thepeopleallbelieved,andCardenasforgottotellthemthatbytheexpulsionoftheJesuitstwentythousandIndianswouldpassintohispower,whomhecouldthendistributeamongsthisfriendsasslaves,asheproposedtodividetheIndiansofthemissionsamongsttheParaguayannotablestowinthemtohisside。 BeingattheheadofeverythinginAsuncion,Cardenasnolongerhesitated,butorderedanofficer,DonJuandeVallejoVillasanti,withatroopofsoldierstomarchtothecollegeoftheJesuits。 Thishedid,andfindingthegatesallbarred,heburstthemopen,and,enteringthecollege,signifiedtotherectoranorderfromtheGovernor(dulycountersignedbytheBishop)toleavethecitywithallhispriests,andtoevacuateallthemissionsontheParana。TherectoransweredthattheJesuitshadapermissionfromPhilipII。,renewedbyhissuccessors,tofoundacollege,andFatherTanoexhibitedthedocuments。 Villasanti,whohadbutlittlelovefordocuments,snatchedtheparchmentsfromhishand,andthesoldiersforcedtheJesuitsinabodytotheportlikesheep。Theretheyweretiedandthrownintocanoesalmostwithoutprovisions,andsentoffdowntherivertoCorrientes,thecertainhavenofthepartyinParaguaywhichhasgottheworstofanelectionorarevolution,andwishestogaintime。 ArrivedinCorrientes,DonManuelCabral,apiousofficer,receivedtheminhishouse,and,curiouslyenough,thepopulationwelcomedtheJesuitswithenthusiasm,andpressedthemearnestlytobuildacollegeinthetown。 TheircollegeatAsuncionwastreatedlikeatowntakenbystorm: pulpitandfont,confessionalsanddoors,allweretorndownandburnt,and,withaviewofjustifyingwhatwasdone,theBishop\'spartisansspreadareportthat,astheJesuitswereheretics,theirtemplewasunclean。 Thepopulation,moreartisticinitsinstinctsthantheBishop,refusedtoallowthealtar,whichhadbeenbroughtfromSpain,tobedestroyed。Besidesthealtar,therewerealsostatuesofSanIgnacioandSanFranciscoXavier。ThesetheBishopwishedtoturnintoSt。PeterandSt。Paul。WiththisdesignhegavethemtoanIndiancarpentertoworkupon。Thepoormandidhisbest,butonlymanagedtoturnouttwomonstrousblocks,whichlookedlikenothinghuman。 AstatueoftheBlessedVirginwhichhadtheeyesturneduptoheaventheBishopwishedtoalter,andreplacetheheadbyanotherwiththeeyesturneddowntoearth,asbeingmorebefittingtothestatue\'ssex。 Thepeople,lessmadorsuperstitiousthantheBishop,refusedtoallowit,andtheimage,too,wasplacedintheCathedral。 In1649theexpulsionofanOrdersopowerfulasweretheJesuitscausedsomecommotionthroughtheworldatlarge。Miracleshappenedopportunelytostrengthenwaningfaith。Afireplacedroundtheirchurch,thoughitdestroyed,refusedtoblacken;andropesfixedtothetowerofthechurch,althoughattachedtowindlasses,refusedtopullitdown,sothatthetowerandchurch,thoughgutted,stillremainedalmostintact,and,ontheJesuits\'return,wereeasilyrepaired,andservedasamonumentofvictory。 Uneasyliestheheadthatwearsamitre,aspoorCardenasfoundout。 HispopularitysufferedsomedecreasebythelackoftreasurefoundintheJesuits\'college,forhehadalwaysdangledmillionsinprospectivebeforethepeople\'seyestoengagethemonhisside,and,mostunluckily,hehadnomillionstobestow。So,tomakeallthingsright,hesentFrayDiegoVillalontoMadridtorepresenthisinterests。 ThisVillalonhasleftsomecuriousmemoirsinthecasewhichhesubmittedtotheCounciloftheIndieswhichsatinSeville。 TheJesuitsupontheirsidewerenotinactive。ByvirtueofabriefofGregoryXIII。theyhadtheprivilegeofappointinganofficialcalledajudgeconservatorincaseswheretheirhonourortheirpossessionswereattacked。ThereforeFatherAlfonsodeOjedawassenttoCharcastoarrangeaboutthecase。AtCharcastheyfoundthatCardenashadbeenbeforethem,andhadinstitutedproceedingsagainsttheirOrderintheHighCourt。FatherPedroNolasco,SuperioroftheOrderofMercy,wasappointedjudgeconservator。HeatoncesummonedtheBishoptoappearbeforehim,andarrangedtotrythecaseandheartheevidence。 Cardenashavingrefusedtoappear,sentencewentbydefaultagainsthim。 TheHighCourt,beingconvincedthatthepretendededictoftheEmperorCharlesV。didnotexist,appointedDonAndresGarabitodeLeontobeinterimCaptain GeneralofParaguay,andgavehimpower,ifnecessary,torestoreorderbyforceofarms。ThecourtthenissuedadecreesummoningCardenastoappearatonceatCharcasandgivehisreasonswhyhehadhadhimselfmadeGovernorandhadexpulsedtheJesuitsfromParaguay。ItthencommunicatedwiththeMarquisofMancera,ViceroyofPeru,whoquiteconcurredinitsdecisionastoCardenas。 ApparentlyupontheprinciplewhichprevailsamongstMohammedansofalwaysappointing,firstanofficer,andthenacaliphtothatofficertodothework,theHighCourtofCharcasalsoappointedacommandertoproceedtoParaguay,pendingthetimethatDonAndresshouldfeelinclinedtostarthimself。Asthecaliph\'snamewasSebastiandeLeon,itisnotimprobablethathewasarelationofthefirst appointedman。 DonSebastiandeLeonseemstohavebeeninParaguayalready,forbothCharlevoixandXarqueagreethatheandhisbrothers,aftertheexpulsionoftheJesuitsbyCardenas,hadretiredtoanestatesomedistancefromAsuncion。Attheestatethenewsofhisappointmentreachedhim,andmusthaveplacedhiminamostdifficultpositionastowhattodo。 OnseveraloccasionsinthevariousrebellionswhichoccurredinSouthAmericaduringtheSpanishrule,menwereappointedtoquellrebellions,pacifycountries,andrestoreorder,andallwithoutanarmyoranyforcesbeingplacedattheircommand。ThiswasthecasewiththecelebratedLaGasca,whowassentfromSpaintoputdowntherebellionofGonzaloPizarro,andsucceededinsodoing,thoughheleftSpainwithoutasinglesoldierinhistrain。 InthisconnectionitistoberememberedthatnoneoftherebellionsinSpanishAmericafromthedaysofCharlesI。(i。e。,theEmperorCharlesV。) tothoseofCharlesIII。werefortheobjectofseparationfromthemetropolis,butmerelyrisingsagainstGovernorssentoutfromSpain。 ItseemsthatbothinPeruandParaguaytheverynameoftheimperialpowerwasabletodrawhundredsofmentothestandardofwhateverofficerheldacommissionfromMadrid,suchasthatheldbyGarabitodeLeonorbyLaGascaontheParana。 AtfirstDonSebastiandidnotshowhimselfinAsuncion,butsentoutmessengersoneverysidetosummonsoldiers,requisitionhorses,andcollectprovisions。HealsosenttoCorrientestotelltheJesuitshewasreadytoreinstatethemintheirpossessions。 DonBernardinomeanwhilewaspreparingforthegreatadventureofhislife。 HeseemstohavebelievedmostfirmlythatnopoweronearthhadanyrighttoremovehimfromthegovernorshipofParaguay。 InaletterwhichheaddressedtoDonJuanRomerodelaCruz hesaysheisonthepointofdistinguishinghimselfbyheroicexploitsandgreatvictories;thathehadonhissidejusticeandforce(amostuncommoncombination);thattheentirecapitalwasfavourabletohim;andthathewasresolvedneithertoreadmittheJesuitsnortorecogniseDonSebastiandeLeonasGovernor。 Charlevoix,bookxii。,p。115。 Asuncionwasonceagainconvulsed,andallwaspreparationfortheholywar。 TheBishophadgivenoutthatangelsweretohelphim,andthissoreassuredhissoldiersthattheyprovidedthemselveswithcordstobindtheIndiansinthearmyofDonSebastianLeon,thinkingtheywouldfallaneasypreytothem。Thismatterofthecordsexplains,perhaps,whythepopulationofAsuncionwasalmostunanimousinfavouroftheBishop。 InthearmyofDonSebastian,aswellasthemilitiaoftheprovince,marchedthreethousandIndiansfromtheJesuitreductionsontheParana。 TheSpaniardsofthecapitalwerealldeterminednottokillanyofthem,butkeepthemaliveforslaves,andhencethecordswithwhichtheyarmedthemselves。 ThesacredgeneralissimoledouthisarmyfromAsuncioninperson,celebratingMasshimself,andthenheadinghistroopslikemanyanotherSpanishecclesiastichasdonebeforeandafterhim,andcontinueddoingeventothelatestCarlistwar。 ThearmiesmetnotfarfromLuque,inalittleplainknownastheCampoGrande。Anopenplainwithsandysoil,whichgavethehorsesagoodfooting,withseverallittlestagnantpoolsinthecentrewherethewoundedmencoulddrinkandwashtheirwounds,withamostconvenientforestonallsidesforthedesertersandthecowardstohidein,madeagoodbattlefield。ThevillageofLuque,groupedrounditschurch,andwithalittleplazainthemiddleinwhichsatParaguayanwomensellingmandioca,chipa,1andrapadura,2 withsacksofmaizeandofmani,3stoodonthesummitofalittlehill。 Upontheplaintheearthisred,andlooksasifabattlehadbeenfoughtuponitandmuchbloodspilt。Inalldirectionsrunlittlepaths,worndeepbythefeetofmulesandhorses,andinwhichtheriderhastolifthisfeetasifheweregoingthroughastream。ToAsuncionthereleadsoneofthedeep sunkroadsplantedwithorangeandparaiso4trees,constructedthus(asBarcodelaCenteneratellsusinhis`Argentina\')soastobedefensibleagainsttheIndiansafterthecountrywasfirstconqueredbytheSpaniards。 1Chipaisakindofbreadmadeofmandiocaflour。 2Rapaduraisakindofcoarsesugar,generallysoldinlittlepyramid shapedlumps,doneupinabananaleaf。 Itisstronglyflavouredwithlye。 3Maniisground nut。[\"Peanut\"inAmericanEnglish。 A。L。,1998。] 4TheparaisoisoneofthePaulinias。 OntheBishop\'ssidehardlyasoldierbutthoughthimselfanemissaryofGod,ordoubtedofthevictoryforamomentinhisheart。Angelsthemselveshadpromisedvictorytotheirleader,who,tomakeallthingssafe,hadissuedaproclamationpunishingsurrenderwiththepainofdeath; sotheystoodquietlyinarrayofbattlewaitingtobeattacked。 Uponhisside,DonSebastianLeon,seeingtheattitudeoftheenemy,immediatelyorderedanadvance,andchargedhimself,withallhiscavalry,upontheBishop\'smen。They,withthefirmnessthatfanaticssooftenshow,stoodfirmlyintheirranks,thinkingthemselvesinvulnerable。 Theirvalourprovedbutmomentary,foratthesecondchargetheybroketheirranksandfled。Flightturnedtorout,andDonSebastianhavingcommandedthattheyshouldnotbepursued,theystillfledon,nomanpursuingthem。 TheGovernorthenenteredthecapitalwithoutresistance。 Ontheplazahestopped,andhavinggatheredupthewoundedwithoutrespectofparty,hesentthemtothehospital。 Then,havingseentothesafetyofthetown,herodetotheCathedraltogivethankstoGodforhavingpreservedhimfromthedangersofthefight。 DressedinhisrobesandseatedonhisthronewasCardenas。DonSebastianenteredthechurch,dismounted,andkissedhishandrespectfully,likeatrueSpaniard,andaskedhimceremoniouslytodeigntogivehimthebatonofthecivilpower。Cardenasanswerednotaword,buthandedhimthebaton,andthenretired,accompaniedbyallhispriests。 ThevictorydidnotterminatetheworkofDonSebastian。 Afterareasonableinterval,andbeforewitnesses,hecitedtheBishoptoappearbeforethecourtofCharcas。TheBishoppromisedtoobey,thinkinghehadanotherDonGregorioHinostrosatodealwith,butquitedeterminednevertocomply,actingaccordingtothecustomofGovernorsinSouthAmerica,who,whenanorderreachedthemfromMadrid,eitherabsurdorquiteimpossibletoexecute,solemnlyanswered,`Iobey,butIdonotcomply,\'savingbythephrasethehonouroftheirsovereignsandthemselves。UpontheirsidetheJesuitspressedthejudgeconservator,FatherNolasco,toissuehissentence,andfreethemfromthechargesunderwhichtheylay。 Thishedid,andgaveashisopiniontheywerequiteinnocentofallthatCardenashadlaidtotheiraccount。 `Obedesco,peronocumplo。\' Asinapalace,thingsgoslowinSpain,anditwasnottill1654 thataroyaldecisionconfirmedthejudgmentofNolasco,andfreedtheJesuitsfromallthechargesraisedagainstthem。 `Cosasdepalaciovandespacio。\' Orderrestored,Cardenasdeprivedofhisusurpedauthority,andtheJesuitsreinstated,thetemporarycommissionofSebastianLeonwasatanend。Thereforeheretiredagaintoplanthismandiocaunderhisownguayaba tree。YetfeelingransohighthathewashardlysafefromthevengeanceofthepartisansofCardenas,sothathefoundhimselfoncemoreobligedtosummonthemilitiaoftheprovince,andleadthemtoaperfunctorycampaignagainstthePayaguas。 TheseIndianstheearlierhistoriansoftheconquest,BarcodelaCenteneraandRuiDiazdeGuzman,describeasriver pirates,almostlivingincanoes,anddashingoutonanypassingSpanishvesselthattheythoughtweakenough。TheJesuitsMontoyaandDobrizhoffertellusthattheywentnaked,paintedinmanycolours,withahawk\'sorparrot\'swingpassedthroughthecartilageoftheirleftear,andthattheywere,ofalltheIndiansofParaguay,themostindomitable。Afew,whenIknewParaguaysometwentyyearsago,hungroundAsuncion,squalidandmiserable,passingtheirtimeinfishingincanoes,andasattachedtotheirownmodeoflifeaswhenthefirstdiscovererscalledthem`sweet waterpirates\'andthe`mostpestilentofalltheIndiansontheriverParaguay。\'ThePayaguaschastised,DonSebastian,upononepretextoranother,didnotdisbandhistroops,keepingthemalwaysbyhim,andthusmakingthepositionoftheBishopquiteuntenable,tillbydegreeshisfollowersfellawayandlefthimalmostdesertedandhispartyalldissolved。Seeingthegamewasup,theBishop,afterhavingnamedoneDonAdrianCornejoashissuffragan,tookhisdeparture(1650)forCharcastoappearbeforethecourt。 Foreighttumultuousyearshehadkepthisbishopricinaperpetualturmoil,havingbeentheevilgeniusoftheland。 Whatsortofmanhereallywasishardto daytojudge,forXarque,Villalon,Charlevoix,andDeanFunes,whochroniclehisdoings,wereall,ononesideortheother,partisans。TheJesuitscondemnhimasaspoliator,theFranciscansholdhimupasonewhofoughtthroughouthislifeforthehonourofthefounderoftheirrule。Tracts,books,andpamphletsforandagainsthimhavebeenwritteninnumbers,andinthehistoryofthetimesinParaguayhisnamebulkslarge。 Onethingiscertain thattheIndianslovedandreveredhim,andfollowedhimuptotheend。EveninCharcas,wherehelivedforyearsuponapensionoftwothousandcrownsallowedhimbytheKingwhilsthiscasedraggeditswearycoursetoRome,Madrid,backtoPeru,andthentoRomeagain,theIndians,whenheappearedinpublic,greetedhimwithflowers。Hemayhavebeenasaint:somanymenaresaints,andtheworldknowsthemnot。Hemayhavebeenaschemer;buthemadenothingbyhisschemesexceptthebarrenhonourofhisconsecrationtotheseeofParaguay。Apreachercertainlyhewas,ableandwillingtodrawcrowds,afterthefashionofallthosewhohavethegiftofwords。 DeanFunes,inhis`EnsayodelaHistoriaCivildelParaguay,BuenosAyresyTucuman\'(bookii。,cap。i。,p。10),sayshewas`Dotadodeuntemperamentomuyfacildeinflamarse,deunaimaginacionviva,deunamemoriafeliz,ydeuningenionovulgar。\' Headstrongandobstinate,throughalonglifehehatedvigorously,thinkingallthosewhodifferedfromhimwereaccursedofGod。 AstrenuousmemberoftheChurchmilitantonearth,hewasatleastapersonality,andthosewhoreadthehistoryofhistimemustreckonwith,andtakesidesfororagainst,himafterthefashionofthemenwithwhomhepassedhislife,whotoamanreveredhimasasaint,orlookeduponhimasadevilsenttoplaguemankind。 ArrivedinCharcas,hesoonfelloneviltimes,althoughatfirsthemadesomepartisans。StilllookingbacktoParaguay,hepassedhistimeindrawingoutpetitionstotheKing;then,onebyone,allhisfriendsfellfromhim,exceptsomefaithfulIndians,whoconsideredhimasaint。 Hisdreamsofsaintshipwerenotfulfilled,forhisnameneverfiguredinthecalendar。Yearsdidnottamenoryetdidhopeevercompletelyleavehim;forinoldbooksIfindhimalwaysprotesting,evercomplaining,andstillstriving,till,in1665,PhilipIV。inpitymadehimBishopofSantaCruz。AsentencefromtheregistersoftheConsistoryatRomeinformsusthat,asBishopofLaPaz,inhisownprovinceoftheCharcas,heleftofftroubling,andrestedfromhisagitatedlife。