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106 exposed him to unnecessary dangers. At an early age he entered the marriage state, and betrothed in April 1802 Doña María de la Luz Agustina de las Fuentes.

When the encampment at Jalapa was broken up, at the close of 1808, Allende with all the determination of his nature put his shoulder to the work. Having returned with his command to San Miguel, he gradually associated himself with a number of confederates who were leading inhabitants of the town. To avert suspicion and cloak their proceedings, balls were frequently given at the house of his brother Domingo, in the festivities of which they joined, different members occasionally retiring from the dancing-hall to a room below to hold consultation. Ramifications of the plan were extended to the principal neighboring towns, where branch societies were established by Allende and Aldama, who were appointed commissioners for that purpose.

The general plan of the uprising was the simultaneous seizure of the rich Spaniards and authorities in the important towns and then to raise the stand ard of independence. This was to be accomplished with as little violence as possible, and the captives were to be allowed the privilege of remaining with their families in the country, or returning to the peninsula, in which case their property was to be confiscated and appropriated for the public treasury. In case the government, after this coup de main, should be able to offer resistance, Allende acting as