Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/180

164 5th of December ordered the restoration of their lands to the Indians of the district of Guadalajara. By this policy Hidalgo succeeded in greatly counter acting the expedients to which his opponents resorted.

When some degree of order had been arrived at in Guanajuato, Hidalgo proceeded to make arrangements for the further progress of his enterprise. The more grievously wounded of the European prisoners were removed to the alhóndiga, where they were duly cared for; others were confined in the infantry barracks, while some few were allowed to return to their homes. At a later date all the European captives, including those brought from the different towns which the in surgents had passed through, were collected in the alhóndiga to the number of 247. Those who were allowed their liberty were, however, required to sign a written engagement not to take up arms against the independent cause, under penalty of death. Spanish ecclesiastics of both the secular and regular orders were also left free, and Hidalgo issued especial commands that they should in no way be molested.

Having secured for administrative expenses but a small proportion of the treasures deposited in the alhóndiga, he appropriated, as an unavoidable necessity, considerable sums belonging to private individuals. He next proceeded to organize the civil government of the province. Having summoned the ayuntamiento, he demanded to be recognized as captain-general of