his deeds were rehearsed in prose and verse, and the enthusiasm with which his appearance at the theatre and in public was greeted, plainly indicated how high in royalist favor Calleja stood, and Venegas henceforth could only regard him in the light of a rival. The feelings, also, so lately displayed in the army in no way tended to lessen his uneasiness; nor did the conferring of rewards and promotions which he could no longer withold[1] improve matters. Medals were distributed to the officers and troops;[2] and Calleja having been previously promoted by the viceroy to the rank of major-general, a corresponding advance in grade was extended to all officers in the army.[3] As this promotion was not confined to the army of the centre, but was extended to the officers of other divisions, and even to those of the marine who had arrived from Habana, and whose services had been very inferior, it did not meet with general satisfaction. The loyal Americans felt aggrieved; a party spirit was developed in the army, and it was said that the Mexican-born officers were even beginning to show signs of indecision in regard to their political faith, influenced by the revolutionary papers which had been issued from Zitácuaro. During the few days that Calleja remained in the capital the misunderstanding between him and Venegas increased; and had the stay of the army been prolonged, it is doubtful whether they could have kept up even a semblance of friendly intercourse.
- ↑ Venegas had always been sparing in his acknowledgment of the services of Calleja's army, though pressed by him to reward the troops with medals and promotions. See his letters to the viceroy of Dec. 12, 1810, and Jan. 18, 1811, in Id., i. 118-19, 159-60. By despatch of May 30, 1811, the Spanish regency instructed Venegas to bestow upon the officers and troops such rewards as he might deem fitting. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., ii. 514. But nothing appears to have been done until this occasion.
- ↑ The medal bore the name of Fernando VII., supported by a dog and a lion, symbolical of faithfulness and courage, and on the border the words 'Venció en Aculco, Guanajuato y Calderon.' Alaman says: 'Este escudo dió motivo a mil chistes graciosos, por parte de los afectos á la revolucion. ' Hist. Mej., ii. 480.
- ↑ The names and grades of the officers promoted will be found in Gaz. Mex., 1812, iii. 143-53.
