Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/182

166 Chico. These troops were armed only with lances, an attempt made to convert quicksilver flasks into hand-mortars having failed. Hidalgo also endeavored, with but partial success, not only to cast cannon, but to fabricate them of wood, both kinds proving unserviceable. Numerous were the military appointments made by revolutionary leaders, among which may be mentioned that of José María Liceaga as lieutenant-colonel of the last-named regiment, who played a prominent part during the course of the revolution. Although Hidalgo's treasury now contained more than half a million pesos, inconvenience arose because so much of it was in silver bars. The establishment of a mint was therefore necessary, and on the 5th of October the work of constructing the machinery and dies was commenced, José Maríano de Robles being made superintendent. The establishment was almost completed by the 25th of November, when the Spanish army under Calleja entered Guanajuato and took possession of it.

Hidalgo was fully informed of the preparations for the suppression of the rebellion which were being made by Calleja at San Luis Potosi, as well as of the measures that had been taken for the protection of Querétaro, and therefore decided, to march against Valladolid. On the 8th of October he sent forward a detachment of three thousand men under the command of Maríano Jimenez, whom he had made colonel, and on the 10th followed with the main body,