Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/227

Rh head of a large body of insurgents, and having been joined by the dragoons stationed there, proceeded to take possession of Zacatecas, which he occupied with out opposition.

It was while Iriarte was at Aguascalientes that Laguna took action which brought his loyalty under suspicion. He convoked a junta for discussing the propriety of communicating with Iriarte. At that session it was decided to send José María Cos, cura of San Cosme, to inquire of the insurgent leader whether the war then waging was without prejudice to religion, king, and country; and whether any exceptions would be made in case they succeeded in expelling the Europeans; and if so, what. These questions were asked with a view to uniting the provinces under an alliance in peace or war. Laguna, in a letter dated the 26th of October, reported this to Manuel Acebedo, intendente of Durango, who forwarded it to Calleja. The mere fact that Laguna entertained doubts was enough for Calleja, and he cautioned Acebedo in his reply to avoid all expressions showing want of confidence which might drive Laguna to espouse the insurgent cause. Cos, who will appear prominently later, was received by Iriarte with marked demonstration, but greatly against his will was compelled to carry the insurgent standard on his entrance into the town. The explanation given by Iriarte of the object and plan of the revolution was equally unsatisfactory to Cos, and deeming himself compromised by the part he had been obliged to play, instead of returning to Zacatecas, he proceeded to San Luis and informed Calleja, who listened to his statement, and advised him to present himself before the viceroy. While on his way to the capital, Cos was arrested at Querétaro by the commander Rebollo and imprisoned in the convent of San Francisco.