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600 thus imparted to their tottering cause, and hastened to support it by a series of appeals to European settlers, public bodies, and the people at large, wherein they contrasted the renewal of colonial despotism with the benefits to be enjoyed under independent republican rule.

But what availed the arguments of a party broken in power and prestige, existing only in scattered guerrilla bands and hunted fugitives, and this against an able and determined man like Calleja, with devoted and victorious armies at his disposal? He was, besides, pushing the advantage already gained by intimidating the wavering with decrees to shoot all who appeared in arms, and to confiscate property, even of those who merely passed into districts occupied by insurgents. On the other hand he kept open the liberal offer of pardon, issued in commemoration of the king's return, to all who tendered submission. Even Morelos and other leaders were included, on condition however of their leaving the country. This combined strictness and leniency had great effect, and the insurgents saw with apprehension one group of adherents after another dropping off, with a corresponding decline in their resources.