Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/73

Rh Azcárate, and Rafael Ortega were imprisoned in the archiepiscopal jail, and shortly afterward Francisco Cisneros, the abbot of Guadalupe, the canon José Maríano Beristain, José Antonio Cristo, and Fray Melchor Talamantes of the order of la Merced. Talamantes was a native of Perú, and a strong advocate for independence, as is proved by papers in his own handwriting which were seized at the time of his capture, and among which was found the sketch of a plan of independence. It begins: 'El congreso nacional Americano debe ejercer todos los derechos de la soberania;' and then the duties and power of the congress are laid down in 13 items, which include extensive reforms in political, civil, and ecclesiastical administrations, the regulation of commerce, and the promotion of agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries, 'quitándoles las trabas.' The last item in this interesting document is to the effect that an ambassador should be sent to the U. S. 'á tratar de alianza y pedir auxilios.' In another paper he uses these words: 'Aproximandose ya el tiempo de la independencia de este reino, debe procurarse que el congreso que se forme lleve en si mismo, sin que pueda percibirse de los inadvertidos la semilla de esta independencia: pero de una independencia sólida, durable, y que pueda sostenerse sin dificultad y sin efusion de sangre.' Cancelada, Conducta Iturrigaray, 119-22. Alaman compared the above quoted documents with the originals of Talamantes, which exist in the general archives. The friar was also the author of a work entitled Representacion de las Colonias, which he dedicated to the ayuntamiento of Mexico under the nom de plume of Irza, verdadero patriota. In this, the most important of his productions, he establishes twelve cases in which a colony can with justice free itself from the molher country. Hist, Mej., i. app. 36. Talamantes was conveyed on the 6th of April to the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, where he was confined in irons. He died shortly afterward of yellow fever, his jailers not having the compassion even to remove his fetters during his sickness. ''Rivera, Hist. Jalapa'', i. 231. Zamacois does not believe such unnecessary inclemency credible. Hist, Mej., vi. 63; Guerra states that ‘le añadieron otro par de grilles.' Rev. N. Esp., i. 236. Bustamante asserts: 'No se le quitaron los grilles. . .hasta el momento de enterrarlo. ' ''Sup. Cavo, Tres Siglos'', iii. 238. Verdad died in prison on the 4th of October, 19 days after his capture, not without suspicions of having been poisoned, while Azcárate was seized with an attack of epilepsy, induced, it was also believed, by poison. He however recovered, and having vindicated himself, was afterward set at liberty by Viceroy Venegas. Cisneros, Beristain, and Cristo were liberated soon after their incarceration. ''Ib.; Zamacois, Hist. Mej''., vi. 62-3; Rosa, Discurso en la Alameda, 11.

The new government at once proceeded to take precautions to secure itself in its position. Despatches were sent to all the principal cities with news of the occurrences in the capital. Instructions were given to the colonels of the regiments from Jalapa and Nueva Galicia to fall back. García Davila was removed from his command as mariscal de campo, and the conde de Alcaraz appointed in his place