missary must see that the purport
of the said order be executed, without exceeding it.

14. The crime of bigamy is very frequent in this country, so that it
behooves all commissaries to make diligent inquiry concerning it, and
to punish the crime. If the ecclesiastical or secular court arrest any
one for this crime and proceed against him, let them administer justice
freely and without hindrance. If they refer the case to the commissary
without charge, and without his making any effort for such remission,
the latter shall say that it is very well, and that they may refer
and send the case to this Holy Office at their own expense--or at
that of the prisoner, if he be well-to-do. If they still urge him to
receive the case there, that it may be sent by the order and at the
expense of the Holy Office, the commissary shall answer that he has
no orders from us for such action. If, dissatisfied with this answer,
they ask permission to inflict punishment there, he will answer that
they may investigate the matter, and may do justice according to
law. After that he will allow no more arguments on the question.

15. This clause applies when the said courts have anticipated the case
by the arrest of the accused person; for if the latter were free,
and through information received from witnesses his two marriages
were proved, and the existence of the first wife at the time of the
second marriage, which constitutes the crime, the commissary shall
arrest and remand to prison the person thus proved guilty--sending
with the prisoner the information or original record, but retaining
there an authenticated copy of it. Concerning other cases of bigamy,
which do not show the same degree of guilt, it will suffice to send
authenticated copies of such records or depositions as are received,
and to keep the originals. Special information must be sent concerning
the prudence of the accused, his station in life, and his wealth;
so that after due examination the necessary measures may be taken. If
he should come to this country [Mexico], the commissary must give us
notice of his coming, so that the Holy Office may hear of it by the
first despatches which shall reach Mexico. He shall also write to the
commissary who resides at the port of Acapulco, that any attempted
absence or flight may be prevented.

16. Concerning the other crimes enumerated in the general edict,
after the denunciation has been received and the witnesses have
been examined,