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OPENING OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.

Meanwhile intelligence of the uprising had reached San Miguel,^[1] and the Spanish residents, aware that they could not rely upon any creole or native servant, and informed by Colonel Canal that no dependence could be placed on the regiment, assembled in arms at the municipal buildings for self-defence. As the dusk of evening fell, Hidalgo entered the town. The excitement was intense, the population cheering the insurgents and hurling bitter denunciations against the Spaniards. Allende placed the prisoners brought from Dolores in the college of San Francisco de Sales, under the guardianship of Aldama, while he proceeded to arrest the Spaniards of the town. Through the representations of Canal, after some parley the latter were induced to yield without opposition and surrender their arms. Allende assured them that while he lived no harm should befall them, and thereupon they were removed to the college.

The Spaniards having thus been secured without bloodshed, no difficulty was found in winning over the soldiers of the garrison. The officers and troops of the queen's regiment of provincial dragoons were already predisposed to support Allende. In vain Major Camunñz endeavored at the barracks to hold them to their loyalty by representing that the rebels were partisans of the French. His words were received with an ominous silence, and when two of the officers raised a cheer for Allende and independence, Camuñez was made captive,^[2] and the whole regiment joined the insurgents. A portion of the Celaya infantry

tado despues de la independencia y era de papel negro recortado.' Gallo, Hombres Ilust., 272.

↑ Authors differ with regard to this statement. Mora asserts that the authorities were completely surprised, and knew nothing of the movement until Hidalgo was at their door; but Liceaga more reasonably affirms that news of what had taken place in Dolores reached San Miguel early. I have accepted his version as being the more probable. He gives a list of the principal Spanish residents in San Miguel. Adic. y Rectific., 58-60.
↑ Colonel Canal, if he did not actually favor the movement, was indifferent. He had, however, been succeeded in the command by Camuñez that morning. Liceaga, ut sup., 61.

[1] Authors differ with regard to this statement. Mora asserts that the authorities were completely surprised, and knew nothing of the movement until Hidalgo was at their door; but Liceaga more reasonably affirms that news of what had taken place in Dolores reached San Miguel early. I have accepted his version as being the more probable. He gives a list of the principal Spanish residents in San Miguel. Adic. y Rectific., 58-60.

[2] Colonel Canal, if he did not actually favor the movement, was indifferent. He had, however, been succeeded in the command by Camuñez that morning. Liceaga, ut sup., 61.

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