A case of serious abuse of a person from the Jesuit Order

One folio leaf (16 ½" x 11 ¾") folded in half printed on three folds and inscribe on verso of last fold.

The document states that as a result of the publication in the Kingdom of Spain of the Order of Expulsion of the Jesuit Order, in which it was requested under serious penalties that they present themselves on the third day to the authorities, a person in Guadalajara was apprehended the same day of the publication of said Royal Order by an officer and 12 grenadiers with bayonets*; he was locked in a damp cell and told to prepare to die and to appoint a confessor, as he did. On the same day, his property and papers were seized while his pregnant woman and his minor children were locked up with a guarded by a sentry.

On the third day they informed him that his life would be spared and on the sixth day he was released. All this was done without filing or taking a statement.

The King, upon learning of these facts, asked the Governor to explain his reasons for this irregular, extraordinary and still scandalous procedure.

The King requested the file to be reviewed by his prosecutor, resulting in the events constituting a scandalous attack committed by the Governor in violation of the Laws, reaching the point of sentencing a vassal to death and putting a vassal in the Chapel without forming a Cause. For this reason, he sends this card to all the officials of America to preserve his vassals so that for no reason such attacks are committed and that the causes are always followed in accordance with the law. Violations or damages against vassals will not be tolerated. Finally, he asks the Governor to compensate as much as possible for the damage.

Signed by the Hearing Officer.

*Even though the Royal Order said that all members of the Jesuit order and related to them had to present themselves to the authorities on the third day after the publication, the authorities were very abusive and apprehended him the very first day, as is noted on the document.