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346 services to the junta. Rayon willingly received him, and henceforth Cos devoted heart and soul to the cause. Conscious of the power exercised by the press as an engine of defence against misrepresentation, and for the diffusion of enlightened ideas on the subject of independence, with infinite labor he fashioned out of wood with his own hands sufficient type to enable him to print five pages of matter, and for some months issued from Zitácuaro a weekly publication which he styled the Ilustrador Americano. The effect produced by this sheet was soon felt by the steady emigration from the cities of young men of energy and ability, who joined the ranks of the revolutionists and aided the cause with sword or pen.

The perplexity of Veriegas increased daily; and so forlorn did his position appear to him that at times he even meditated opening communications with the rebel leaders to induce them to lay down their arms by offers of personal favors, and by concessions which would win back the multitude to their allegiance with out prejudice to the essential principle of Spanish domination. But such a step would be deeply humiliating to the dignity of the government, and doubly so in the event of failure. Sorely pressed though he was, he hesitated to adopt a plan so uncertain. It was therefore a relief to his mind when Manuel Ignacio Gonzalez del Campillo, bishop of Puebla, offered