Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/764

748 and a manifesto published setting forth the reason. The liberal ideas of Negrete being well known, a communication was sent to him at Guadalajara, but he despatched the letter to Iturbide, who took his measures accordingly.

On the night of the 26th of November, with great display of military force, seventeen of the principal conspirators were arrested, among whom were those already mentioned. When the night's work became known Iturbide was surprised at the murmurings which arose. His act inspired a fear that he would not be disinclined to reëstablish the ancient form of despotism. The adherents of the prisoners were numerous. Rigorous proceedings against them would hardly be safe, and most of them were liberated shortly afterward. Victoria and Morales, however, were treated with more severity, the latter not being released till the congress issued its decree of amnesty, and the former only avoiding similar durance by escaping from his dungeon.

In comparing the condition of New Spain after eleven years of strife with that at the commencement of the century, the contrast presents a striking retrogression. The revenue had been reduced so low as to be quite inadequate to cover the extravagant expenditure of the new government, which recklessly decreed large incomes and salaries, while.