and principal citizens, in the municipal hall. Riaño declined on the plea of weariness, but expressed his willingness to attend a junta in the afternoon; but it must be held in the alhóndiga de granaditas, and not in the municipal hall. The meeting took place; but civil officers, priests, and prelates in turn vainly endeavored to induce Riaño to change his purpose. The intendente was inflexible, and according to the representation of the ayuntamiento to the viceroy a few months later, he bluntly dismissed them with the assurance that, in the interest of the king, he should remain with the troops where he was, and that as for the city it might defend itself as best it could.[1]
During that and the two following days the intendente devoted all his energies to the defence of his position. Additional provisions were introduced into the alhóndiga; strong barricades were thrown up at the only three points by which attacks could be made through the streets; the eastern gateway was closed with solid masonry; the iron quicksilver flasks, charged with gunpowder, were converted into grenades, and further information was despatched to Calleja,[2] setting forth his want of arms, and the doubtful fidelity of his troops.[3]
In order that the reader may understand Riaño's position, and the mode of attack adopted by the insurgents in the ensuing engagement, a brief descrip tion of the city of Guanajuato will be necessary.
- ↑ Guan. Pub. Vind. Ayunt., 17-20. Bustamante also affirms that the intendente thus expressed himself. Cuad. Hist., i. 24. Consult also Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., ii. 278.
- ↑ This was sent on the 26th. The bearer of the first despatch left Guanajuato at 1 p. m. on the 23d, and on his return left San Luis at 11 p.m. of the 24th with Calleja's reply enjoining Riaño to hold Guanajuato, and promising to be before the city during the next week. With regard to the speed of the courier Bustamante remarks: 'Que activos andaban estos hombres por salvarse!' Cuad. Hist., i. 25. The distance from Guanajuato to San Luis Potosí is some 52 leagues.
- ↑ 'Tengo poca polvora porque no la hay absolutamente, y la caballeria mal montada y armada sin otra arma que espadas de vidrio,' that is swords brittle as glass, 'y la infantería con fusiles remendados, no siendo imposible el que estas tropas sean seducidas.' Id., 24-5.
