Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/78

58 friar was caught in the trap and arrested. He stated in prison that the plot had been formed in Madrid, and that King Fernando VII. had sent out a comisario regio, who was already on Mexican territory. The royal commissioner's name was not divulged. Another friar, a Dominican named Martinez, and two other men, Segura and David, were also arrested as accomplices, and soon after, March 22d, orders were issued that generals Echávarri and Negrete should be taken as prisoners, the former to the castle of Perote, and the latter to that of Acapulco. General Gregorio Arana, and many other officers, the priests Torres, Hidalgo, and Friar José Amat, as well as a number of civilians, were implicated. All of them were 'old' Spaniards. Their trial was by court-martial, and Arenas, Martinez, Segura, David, Arana and others were sentenced to death. Many officers were degraded or lost their commissions, and a number of the prisoners were sentenced to various penalties. Generals Echávarri and Negrete, deprived of their rank, were sent into exile.