ities proceed. All war is murder and robbery; it is in order to murder and rob each other that men go to war. I do not attempt to justify this course; I only say that such were the opinion and custom, to a great extent, in Mexico at this time, and were held and practised alike by both sides throughout the war for independence.
Before Hidalgo's entrance into Celaya his followers, who now amounted to fifty thousand, proclaimed him Captain-general of America,[1] and he had conferred the rank of lieutenant-general on Allende, and corresponding grades on Aldama, Abasolo, [2] and other leaders. Here also he was joined by Captain Arias, whom the reader has lately seen playing the role of informer, while cautiously scheming for his self-protection.[3]
The recognition of Hidalgo's rank and authority by the ayuntamiento might be beneficial; he therefore called a session of its members and the principal citizens on the 22d. Only two regidores presented themselves, the rest, being Europeans, having fled to Querétaro, whereupon the captain-general appointed others to the vacant offices, nominating Cárlos Camargo subdelegado.[4] The new municipality acknowledged
- ↑ Id., ii. 107, 109. See his summons to surrender, addressed to the intendente of Guanajuato, in Alaman, ut sup., 421. Mora comments on the absurdity of this title. True, it smacks somewhat of worldly vanity; but after all, I do not see why it is not as good as another. Mex. y sus Rev., iv. 27. Two companies of the Celaya regiment, which had failed to unite with the troops that retired to Querétaro, joined the insurgents.
- ↑ Maríano Abasolo was at this time 27 years of age. He was a native of Dolores, and the son of a wealthy Spaniard who left him a large fortune, which was still further increased by marriage with the heiress Doña María Manuela Taboada. At his trial, some months later, he deposed that he had not been connected with the revolt previous to the grito de Dolores. The influence of Hidalgo, and his friendship for Allende, being a captain in the same regiment with him, appear to have induced him to join their cause. His sergeant, José Antonio Martinez, afterward executed in Mexico, declared that Abasolo commanded him to deliver up to Hidalgo the arms in the barracks at San Miguel. Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 356-7; Dicc. Univ. Hist., i. 12-13.
- ↑ Alaman states that Arias was always regarded with suspicion by the insurgent leaders, while Zamacois affirms that he was received by Hidalgo with delight, and repudiates the charge brought against Arias of having given information about the revolt. Hist. Mej., vi. 292.
- ↑ Camargo did not sympathize with the movement; and he advised the viceroy of the circumstances, protesting his fidelity. Venegas ordered him to
