Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/364

348 except on the basis of the establishment in Mexico of a national government. Indeed, even their influence would have been unavailing to stay the current of independent principles now so deeply ingrafted in the minds of their followers, and an attempt to do so would have endangered their own lives. The commissioners, therefore, returned with the tidings of their failure, and the two governments continued their preparations for future hostilities.

About the middle of November Morelos again took the field and entered upon his second campaign. Proceeding to Tlapa, he entered that town without opposition, the royalist garrison having retreated to Oajaca on his approach. Here he was joined by Padre Tapia,