Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/734

718 install one of the sub-inspectors in his place, designating Liñan. The viceroy with much dignity asserted his loyalty, and claimed that he was free from blame in the matter of the losses sustained.

Liñan, and also Novella, refused to accept commands thus mutinously offered to them; but the troops were obdurate, and threatened to make Buceli viceroy. In fact, Apodaca's life was in danger if he did not comply, and Novella, to avert greater evils, assumed the responsibility. Apodaca saw the uselessness of resistance, but when Buceli laid before him for his signature a paper in which his resignation was attributed to ill health, he tore it in pieces, declining to subscribe to such a lie. He then wrote out his resignation with his own hand, stating that he freely and voluntarily surrendered to Novella the civil and military commands, at the respectful request of the officers of the expeditionary forces, on condition of his person and family being safely conducted to Vera Cruz. On the followed morning he retired with his family to the villa de Guadalupe, but on the approach of the independents he returned to the city and resided in the Franciscan convent of San Fernando until an opportunity was afforded him to depart for Spain.