Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/288

272 These momentous matters were wholly unknown to Allende, as well as to the revolutionists at Monclova, which were destined to prove most fatal to himself and his associates. Lieutenant-colonel Ignacio Elizondo had at first favored independence; but having taken of fence at Allende's refusal to promote him to the grade of lieutenant-general in reward for his services, he secretly became disaffected, and cast about him in search of means of revenge. When Zambrano had gained control at Béjar he sent two commissioners, captains Muñoz and Galan, to communicate with Calleja and the viceroy; and these finding the conspiracy ripe at Monclova, disclosed to Elizondo Allende's intentions. He therefore determined to delay matters no longer, but seize the persons of the revolutionary leaders on their arrival. Accordingly, on the night of the 17th of March, at the head of two hundred troops and armed citizens, he made the revolutionary governor Aranda prisoner, surprised such soldiers of the garrison as had not entered into his designs, and possessed himself of the artillery. He then proceeded to establish a government council, which appointed Simon Herrera provisional governor of the province on the 25th of March. Measures were now adopted for the seizure of Allende and his associates. Guile and perfidy were brought into play without scruple. The regulations of the more refined civilizations have proper murder and improper murder, righteous and unrighteous robbery, holy and unholy treachery, and the like; but these Spanish royalists paid little attention to such rational and beneficent rules. The utmost precaution was taken that Allende should receive no intelligence of what had occurred at Monclova, and remarkable as it may seem, that leader entertained not the slightest suspicion of the trap which was being laid for him. Advised that