Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/62

43 to Fernando VII. was proclaimed, and volunteer corps were ready to aid him in escaping from the meshes in which he was entangled, while Godoy and Napoleon were burnt in effigy.

Thus it would seem that the first cry for independence is smothered by hatred of an invader and loyal sympathy for a fallen monarch. But we may see now how a bad man may help a good cause. Iturrigaray hates Fernando, though he pretends to serve him. If he does not secretly favor the French, he is easily reconciled to their success so long as his patron Godoy is permitted to worship before Napoleon. Nevertheless, the viceroy puts on a smiling face, and is wheeled in a chariot of state through the city, accompanied by over two thousand horsemen, who publicly offer their services in defence of the Spanish sovereign. The viceroy is gracious, and praises their horsemanship and their steeds; nevertheless, he does not fail to reiterate soon after that Spain could not resist the arms of France. Such speech and conduct on the part of the chief ruler is the surest road to revolution, and the viceroy is well aware of it.

The question now arose whether to recognize the junta governing at Seville in the name of Fernando. The viceroy convoked a general council, composed of the audiencia, the ayuntamiento, the different tribunals, the archbishop, and the most prominent members of the community. On the 9th of August the junta