Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/143

Rh proceed. All war is murder and robbery; it is in order to murder and rob each other that men go to war. I do not attempt to justify this course; I only say that such were the opinion and custom, to a great extent, in Mexico at this time, and were held and practised alike by both sides throughout the war for independence.

Before Hidalgo's entrance into Celaya his followers, who now amounted to fifty thousand, proclaimed him Captain-general of America, and he had conferred the rank of lieutenant-general on Allende, and corresponding grades on Aldama, Abasolo, and other leaders. Here also he was joined by Captain Arias, whom the reader has lately seen playing the role of informer, while cautiously scheming for his self-protection.

The recognition of Hidalgo's rank and authority by the ayuntamiento might be beneficial; he therefore called a session of its members and the principal citizens on the 22d. Only two regidores presented themselves, the rest, being Europeans, having fled to Querétaro, whereupon the captain-general appointed others to the vacant offices, nominating Cárlos Camargo subdelegado. The new municipality acknowledged