Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/306



the heads of the leaders cut off, many thought that the revolution was forever at an end. And so it might have been had the movement rested in man's hand — that is, had it originated solely with those men, or with any one set of men, or had it been dependent for its final success on aught else than the mighty power of progress. Independence was not an accident. It had waited its full development in the womb of time, and now its bringing-forth was certain. The birth of freedom in America had long been predetermined. Cut off the head of every revolutionist twenty times, and twenty times new armies would arise until the great dragon was slain.

When tidings of the capture of Hidalgo, Allende, and their army reached Mexico, the rejoicing of the royalists was great, as we may imagine. The first report was conveyed without particulars in a despatch from Ochoa; and though the viceroy could rely upon