CHAPTER XIX

THE EXECUTION

Seizure of the Gesù in Rome--Suspension of the Priests-- Juridical Trial of Father Ricci continued during Two Years--The Victim's Death-bed Statement--Admission of his Innocence by the Inquisitors--Obsequies--Reason of his Protracted Imprisonment--Liberation of the Assistants by Pius VI--Receipt of the Brief outside of Rome--Refused by Switzerland, Poland, Russia and Prussia--Read to the Prisoners in Portugal by Pombal--Denunciation of it by the Archbishop of Paris--Suppression of the Document by the Bishop of Quebec--Acceptance by Austria--Its Enforcement in Belgium--Carroll at Bruges--Defective Promulgation in Maryland. 577-603