Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/223

Rh After this tragical defeat, consternation prevailed in Guadalajara. There was no thought of further resistance. The bishop, in spite of his previous military ardor, ignominiously fled to the port of San Blas, followed by most of the Europeans, who carried with them what they could. The junta hastily dissolved, and the warlike Recacho, with the oidor Alva, hurried with all speed to the same port, not forgetting, however, to collect on their way the royal revenues. Abarca endeavored to reanimate the Europeans who remained, and induce them to take up arms in defence of the city. "We are not soldiers," they said, "and our only duty is to take care of ourselves." The only force left at his disposal was 110 raw recruits. In this hopeless condition he fell grievously ill, and while on his bed the ayuntamiento surrendered the city to Torres. The insurgent forces entered Guadalajara on the 11th of November. Torres kept faithfully the terms of the capitulation. Both the property and persons of the citizens were respected; the malefactors in the jails were not released, and to prevent violence he would not allow his troops to quarter themselves in the city.

With the exception of San Blas, the whole province of Nueva Galicia was now in possession of the insurgents; and the ease with which that port fell into their power is somewhat remarkable. José María Mercado, the cura of Ahualulco, obtained from Torres a commission to go in pursuit of the fugitive Europeans; and raising forces in the villages on his way to the port, he entered Tepic without opposition, and was there joined by the garrison of the town. Mercado then hastened to lay siege to San Blas, and sent in to the comandante de la plaza, José de