MEXICO. 121 the same enthusiasm. Within twenty-four hours, Hidalgo's force became so considerable, that, on the 17th of September, he was enabled to take possession of San Felipe, and, on the 18th, cf San Miguel el Grande, (towns each of 16,000 inhabi- tants,) in both of which places the confiscated property of the Europeans afforded him the means of increasing the number of his own partizans. Guana) Hato, the capital of the Province, and the emporium of the treasures of the Spaniards in that part of the country, was his next object ; but, as he was aware of the activity, and decided character of the Intendant Rianon, (a magistrate respected still in Mexico, for his integrity, and benevolent spirit,) he would not risk an attack upon a city containing, at that time, 7^,000 inhabitants, until he was sure that his num- bers were equal to the attempt. The Intendant had, at first, resolved to defend the whole town ; but finding that he had not men enough to undertake it, and observing strong symp- toms of disafi^ection amongst the lower classes, who were in- clined to make common cause with their countrymen, rather than to assist the Spaniards, he shut himself up, with all the Europeans, and the gold, silver, quicksilver, and other valua- bles contained in the Royal Treasury, in the public Granary, (called la Alhondiga,) where he fortified himself, and made preparations for an obstinate defence.* On the morning of the 28th September, Don Mariano Abasolo, in the uniform of Colonel of Hidalg6s army, ap- peared before the town, with a letter from the Cura, announc- ing, " that having been elected Captain general of America^ by the unanimous choice of his followers, and recognized as such by the Ayuntamientos of the towns of Celaya, and San Miguel, he had proclaimed the independence of Mexico : that,
- The Alhondiga is the large square building which rises above the
rest in the annexed Plate of the Canada de Marfil, or Ravine which forms the entrance to Guanajuato.
