Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/192

176 was marked by cruelty and treachery. In after days the sound of his name did not ring pleasantly in the ears of the revolutionists.

There was at this time in the city of Mexico a young lieutenant, who had lately come from Valladolid flying before Hidalgo. His name was Agustin Iturbide. The first historical mention of him is found in the official journal of September 21, 1808, where he is commended for his zeal in offering support to the new government after the deposal of Iturrigaray. At this time he was a lieutenant of the provincial infantry regiment of Valladolid. He was born in that city on the 27th of September, 1783, his father, Joaquin de Iturbide, being a native of Pamplona, in the kingdom of Navarre. The families of both his father and mother, whose maiden name was Josefa de Aramburu, were distinguished. Agustin while a child narrowly escaped death by fire, being rescued almost miraculously from his burning home. His school education was limited, he having applied himself to the management of one of his father's haciendas when only fifteen years of age; at which time also he entered the regiment of provincial infantry of Valladolid as ensign, and henceforth adopted the military profession. In 1805 he espoused Doña Ana María Huarte, a creole of good family. He was present with his command at the military encampment at Jalapa, and in 1809 assisted in suppressing the premature attempt at revolution in his native city.

When Hidalgo took the field he invited Iturbide to join him, offering him the rank of lieutenant-general. The latter, however, refused; and when Hidalgo drew near Valladolid, Iturbide, seeing no prospect of