[XXX-65] Originally there were 11 churches, 4 convents of friars, one nunnery, a cathedral, and one ecclesiastical college established by the government of Old Colombia under a rector, vice-rector, and assistant, with a sufficient revenue. A law of New Granada provided for the sale at auction of all property that had formerly belonged to the jesuits not required for national use. Pan., Crón. Ofic., Aug. 5, 1852. Stories are related of buried treasures having been disinterred in after years by jesuit agents, from the ground of their old house, and from the orchard of T. M. Feuillet. These stories bear some semblance of truth. See Memoranda, in Maldonado, Apuntes, MS., 36 et seq.
[XXX-66] The bishops in the exercise of their functions, and administration of church property, had the assistance of the civil authorities, who carried out their orders without questioning them.
[XXX-67] Every New Granadan or Colombian assigned, to the prejudice of his heirs, a certain amount to the church for masses and other supposed benefits it could do to his soul. Successive descendants followed the example. The priests often threatened the dying with the penalties of hell if they did not purchase their salvation. Clerical intolerance knew no limits.
[XXX-68] Excepting only cathedrals, the chief church of each parish, and the sacred vessels and ornaments. Maldonado, Asuntos Polít. Pan., MS., 3-5, 15, 17.
[XXX-69] The bishop of Panamá left, and his priests followed his example one by one. Panamá was thus left without a priest; the dead had to be buried without the offices of a minister; for more than a year the churches had no bell-tolling or officiating minister. An English catholic missionary, passing to San Francisco, ventured to say mass and baptize in private. He was arrested, though finally allowed to embark. Bidwell's Isth. Pan., 238-43.
[XXX-70] The laws were modified in May 1864. The govt reserved the right of inspection, but made the oath of submission obligatory on the chief of the church having authority as such. Bulls or orders emanating from any one residing in a foreign country could not be published or enforced without first obtaining permission from the national executive. Pan., Boletin Ofic., Jan. 16, 1868.
[XXX-71] Under Mosquera's decrees when he was dictator, the few nuns—four aged and one young—occupying the convent of La Concepcion in Panamá were made to abandon it in Sept. 1862. Nic., Boletin Ofic., Oct. 4, 1862. These women would not forsake the cloister, but sought an asylum in Lima. With tearful eyes they exiled themselves from their home, and from friends, many of whom had received their education from them. Their departure caused no little feeling in the pub. heart. Maldonado, Asuntos Polít. Pan., MS., 18.
[XXX-72] Dec. 15, 1868, a charter was granted by the state govt to a protestant church association. Pan., Boletin Ofic., Feb. 18, 1869.
[XXXI-1] Some of the alcaldes mayores had in 1810 only $300 allowed them yearly, others $500, and the highest paid received $1,200. The system did not recommend itself. Guat., Apunt., 65-71. There was also a consulado or tribunal of commerce established in Guat. April 30, 1794. Juarros' Stat. and Comm. Hist. Guat., 142-3.
[XXXI-2] Royal decree of July 25, 1814. Fernando VII., Dec., 12.