Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/432

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416

PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Calafat to occupy the fortified towns of Tenancingo and Tecualoya. Calafat found them both abandoned, and was met by the curates and inhabitants, who manifested great joy at his coming.^[1]

Other heavy blows the cause of independence suffered at this time, not the least of which was the discovery by the viceregal government that there were persons in the capital laboring against it. An insignificant party of royalist lancers, thirty-six in number, returning from Lerma to Cuajimalpa, encountered in the monte de las Cruces an insurrectionary party of 500 infantry and cavalry with two guns, commanded by a Frenchman named Laylson and three priests. The royalists made a dash and dispersed the party, slaying several and taking five prisoners, besides the guns, several muskets, ammunition, six mules laden with clothing, twenty saddled horses, and Laylson's papers, among which was Rayon's correspondence with the Guadalupe club.^[2] Among Rayon's captured letters were a number revealing the political relations between members of that society and the chiefs of the revolution. Several persons were arrested on the 30th of June, but were released after a few days' imprisonment.

The royalist commander, Castillo y Bustamante, after taking Tenango rested a few days, and then returned to Toluca, where he began active preparations for a campaign against Sultepec, hoping to capture the members of the revolutionary junta. The district affording large resources, and the junta having no reason to fear surprise from the viceroy's troops, Liceaga and Verdusco had busied themselves in providing war material, while indulging in the formulas

↑ The Indians aided his men in taking down the intrenchments. Gaz. de Mex., 1812, iii. no. 250, 665-8.
↑ The gallantry of the victors was highly appreciated in government circles, and a subscription of $2,793 was raised to give them a substantial reward. The lieutenant got $260; the ensign, $224; the sergeant, $108; the corporal, $88; each private, $57; two wounded privates, $87½ each. Gaz. de Mex., 1812, iii. 571, 596, 618-20, 668.

[1] The Indians aided his men in taking down the intrenchments. Gaz. de Mex., 1812, iii. no. 250, 665-8.

[2] The gallantry of the victors was highly appreciated in government circles, and a subscription of $2,793 was raised to give them a substantial reward. The lieutenant got $260; the ensign, $224; the sergeant, $108; the corporal, $88; each private, $57; two wounded privates, $87½ each. Gaz. de Mex., 1812, iii. 571, 596, 618-20, 668.

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