having remained three days in Tenancingo, returned by way of Cuernavaca to Cuautla, where he arrival on the 9th of February.
The continued successes of Morelos had so alarmed Venegas, that he reiterated orders which he had previously given to Calleja, enjoining him to march southward against that leader. So peremptory were his last instructions that Calleja had no alternative but to comply; and on the 23d of January he left Maravatío and proceeded to Ixtlahuaca, having, however, previously requested permission to resign his command. Venegas refused his consent, and Calleja again on the 26th pressed him in urgent terms to accept his resignation. The viceroy at this date felt himself less dependent than heretofore on the victorious general. On the 14th and 16th of the month two Spanish battalions had arrived at Vera Cruz,[1] and others were following. So Venegas, who would soon have over 3,000 peninsular troops at his disposal,[2] proceeded to appoint as Calleja's successor Santiago Irisarri, a Spanish commodore. Irisarri was unknown in the army of New Spain; and the dissatisfaction at the appointment was expressed by a representation addressed to Venegas by the principal officers, stating their unwillingness to serve under any other commander than Calleja. The viceroy was now in a dilemma; but he deemed it prudent to retract under such pressure, and by despatch of the 31st conjured Calleja not to retire.[3] To avoid
- ↑ Namely, the third battalion of the regiment of Asturias, and the first of that of Lovera, Gaz. de Mex., 1812, iii 114. These were the first troops sent from Spain. Alaman, Hist. Mex., ii. 469. On the 29th the frist battalion of the Americano Infantry regiment arrived from Cádiz. Gaz. de Mex. 1812, iii. 177.
- ↑ 'Se recibieron noticias de que pronto estarían mas de tres mil hombres en Vera Cruz’ Bustamante, Camp. De Calleja, 158.
- ↑ This despatch elicited a reply from Calleja, in which he enumerates his services and the sacrifices he made for his country. Venegas had enclosed a copy of the representation he had received from the officers of the army. It was therein asserted that the ill health of Calleja, which he made his plea for resigning, originated in disparaging remarks passed upon his conduct. Alaman, Hist. Mej., ii. 473
tained this reverse. But Calleja was bent upon returning to the Bajío of Guanajuato and opposed the movement. Ut sup., 467, 470-2
