Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/637

Rh Morelos valuable information, on the strength of the offer by his counsel to make revelations in exchange for his life. If such an offer was ever made or authorized by him it is the only weakness that reflects upon his character, for unlike many other leaders he did not seek to relieve himself of blame at the expense of others, nor did he implicate his adherents, although he might be considered somewhat indiscreet in making the declaration on insurgent forces and operations which was drawn from him.By Concha, Nov. 28th to Dec. 1st. It forms one of the most valuable contributions to the history of this period. There is still a doubt as to what part of the suggestions for crushing the insurgents is really his, for the royalists did not scruple to invent declarations in order to tarnish the fame of their opponents. Hence the statement is also doubtful that Morelos had proposed to abandon the revolution as hopeless, and after leaving the congress at Tehuacan to depart for abroad, preferably to Spain, and there ask pardon of the king. He is also said to have offered to persuade insurgent leaders to stay the war; but the very fact that an offer so promising was not accepted indicates that it was not seriously made; yet Alamani is inclined to credit the story. A retraction issued over his name is not in his style.

The following additional details of the trial may prove interesting: Oidor Bataller and the ecclesiastic, Doctor Alatorre, provisor of the archbishopric, were the joint judges, who took up the case on Nov. 22d. The latter being requested by Morelos to choose an advocate for him, selected José María Quiles, a youth still studying at the seminary. The defence is brief, and while admitting the errors of the accused attributes them to wrong information and false judgment, and offers to condone for them by revelations. Jealous of the privileges and sacredness of their profession, rather than in sympathy with Morelos, the archbishop, two other bishops, and several other dignitaries implored the viceroy on the 24th to spare the life of the prisoner, 'ni le aflixa con efusion de sangre.' Causa, 47. This sentence reveals their real motive. The lower clergy appeared no less eager, to judge from the placards nailed to the cathedral door, threatening with divine vengeance those who should profane the church by taking priestly blood. The result was the arrangement between the viceroy and archbishop for expelling Morelos from the priesthood. The sentence in accordance was passed by a council including the very members who had signed the petition. The inquisition took four days to deal with the prisoner, and on the 27th was performed his penance, before the two inquisitors, Flores and Monteagudo, and a distinguished assembly of several hundred persons. The charges by this tribunal, 23 in number, included disregard for the decrees of bishops and of the holy office, manifested by his continuing to confess and receive the communion after being excommunicated; contempt for papal bulls and indulgences; desecration of cemeteries and temples; unauthorized appointments to ecclesiastical offices; endorsement of heretical dogmas by Voltaire and others; immorality, etc. Morelos answered that the excommunication had been based on false charges and was consequently invalid; the war had interfered with the due observance of bulls and religious observances; the people needed spiritual