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MEXICO IN 1827.

but with him it produced no other effect than that of hastening the execution of his plan.

Having been joined by Ăllēndĕ, on the 13th of September, 1810, and secured the co-operation often of his own parishioners, on the morning of the 16th of September, just two years after the arrest of Ĭtŭrrĭgărāy, he gave the signal for revolt, by seizing and imprisoning seven Europeans, resident in the town of Dŏlōrĕs, whose property he immediately distributed amongst his followers. The rapidity of his progress after this first exploit seems quite incredible.[1] The news of it spread in every direction, and was every where received with the same enthusiasm. Within twenty-four hours, Hĭdālgŏ 's force became so considerable, that, on the 17th of September, he was enabled to take possession of Săn Fĕlīpĕ, and, on the 18th, of Săn Migūel ĕl Grāndĕ, (towns each of 16,000 inhabitants,) in both of which places the confiscated property of the Europeans afforded him the means of increasing the number of his own partizans.

Guănăjūātŏ, 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 Rĭañōn, (a magistrate respected still

  1. "The flame which Hildago lighted at the little town of Dolores, spread through the country with the rapidity of atmospheric plague."—Vide Appendix, 42nd paragraph of Representation.