thus imparted to their tottering cause, and hastened to support it by a series of appeals to European settlers, public bodies, and the people at large, wherein they contrasted the renewal of colonial despotism with the benefits to be enjoyed under independent republican rule.[1]
But what availed the arguments of a party broken in power and prestige, existing only in scattered guerrilla bands and hunted fugitives, and this against an able and determined man like Calleja, with devoted and victorious armies at his disposal? He was, besides, pushing the advantage already gained by intimidating the wavering with decrees to shoot all who appeared in arms, and to confiscate property, even of those who merely passed into districts occupied by insurgents.[2] On the other hand he kept open the liberal offer of pardon, issued in commemoration of the king's return, to all who tendered submission. Even Morelos and other leaders were included, on condition however of their leaving the country.[3] This combined strictness and leniency had great effect, and the insurgents saw with apprehension one group of adherents after another dropping off, with a corresponding decline in their resources.[4]
- ↑ One by Rayon, drafted by the flighty Bustamante, was sent to the consulado of Mexico, which naturally feared to receive it. Sent to the viceroy, he caused it to be publicly burned. Cos, Torres, and others also figured with the pen; the former pointing out that the insurgents must under the new aspect be regarded as less rebellious than their opponents, who had supported illegal córtes against the king. Bustamante addressed two private letters to the viceroy, advising him to enter into negotiations with Rayon and save his person, for the United States were about to join and give victory to the insurgents. These different documents may be consulted in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 610-13, 702, vi. 215-16, 233-7, etc.; Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., iii. 62 et seq.; Mendíbil, Resúmen Hist., 397-401; Zavala, Rev. Mex., 312-17.
- ↑ Gaz. de Mex., 1814, v. 1345-8, 681-4, 737-9.
- ↑ Text in Id., 681-4. It was at first limited to 30 days. All intercourse with rebels was strictly prohibited. Dispos. Varias, ii. 19. See also Fernando VII., Decretos, 5-8, 15-16. Appeals were also made direct to insurgents, Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 548-50, 566-9, and rejected by Rayon, etc. Id., 674; Negrete, Mex., Siglo XIX., vi. 319, 478, et seq.; Córtes, Act. Ord., 1814, ii. 95.
- ↑ Among the pardoned were Doctor Maldonado, who in Hidalgo's time published at Guadalajara the Despertador, and now issued the Telégrafo ó Semanario Patriótico. Comments on the growing conciliation in Pizarro, Re-
