Ever since the
independence of Mexico, the missions have been going down; until, at
last, a law was passed, stripping them of all their possessions, and
confining the priests to their spiritual duties; and at the same
time declaring all the Indians free and independent Rancheros. The
change in the condition of the Indians was, as may be supposed, only
nominal: they are virtually slaves, as much as they ever were. But
in the missions, the change was complete. The priests have now no
power, except in their religious character, and the great
possessions of the missions are given over to be preyed upon by the
harpies of the civil power, who are sent there in the capacity of
administradores, to settle up the concerns; and who usually end, in
a few years, by making themselves fortunes, and leaving their
stewardships worse than they found them. The dynasty of the priests
was much more acceptable to the people of the country, and indeed,
to every one concerned with the country, by trade or otherwise, than
that of the administradores. The priests were attached perpetually
to one mission, and felt the necessity of keeping up its credit.
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