Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/397

Rh on the manifesto with contempt, in reality gave it the greatest importance by decreeing on the 8th of April that the document should be burned in the public plaza by the common executioner, thus awakening in the people a desire to know its contents. Another edict required that all copies should be gathered in; and the reading of the documents, except by special government sanction, was strictly forbidden.

The sovereign junta continued the policy of giving publicity to its views by means of the printing-press. The viceroy did what he could to counteract this influence by edicts and ecclesiastical injunctions. The circulation and reading of such productions were forbidden, and every copy called in. Priests at the confessional and from the pulpit were directed to enjoin upon the faithful obedience to these commands.

During the siege of Cuautla a number of persons occupying good social standing hastened to join the revolution. Among them was a distinguished lawyer, Juan Nepornuceno Rosains, who had been deterred for a year past from such action by the bad character of some of the insurgent leaders.