to open negotiations in his own name with Rayon and Morelos, and submitted a plan of proceeding. He would address a manifesto to the two leaders, and appeal to them to aid in putting a stop to the war. Commissioners were to be sent to them with instructions of both a public and private nature. By the first they would be authorized to offer full pardon to Rayon and Morelos if they would stop proceedings and recognize the Spanish government. By the second, promises were to be privately given to the insurgent leaders, on the word of the bishop and with his guarantee, of their reception into favor. If these offers were accepted, it was to be understood that the insurgent forces, their fortified places, arms, and all resources of war, should be placed at the disposal of the government.[1]
Venegas gladly accepted the bishop's proposal; whether his mediation were successful or not, it would solve the question which perplexed him without compromising the viceregal dignity. The commissioners[2] were received by the revolutionary chiefs with becoming deference. But the design failed. Neither the bishop's manifesto nor private arguments and promises had any weight with either Rayon or Morelos, who refused to enter into any negotiations
- ↑ The bishop's manifest and his correspondence with the viceroy and the insurgent leaders, together wich the report of the cura Antonio Palafox one of the commissioners—of the failure of the plan, was published by him in August 1812. Campillo, Manif., 11 3, pp. 103. Negrete claims to be the first historian who published a copy of these interesting documents, Bustamante having only produced the bishop's correspondence with Morelos. Mex. Sig, XIX., v. 103-76. This last author is of opinion that Campillo did not initiate the mediation, but that it was secretly arranged by Venegas. Cuad. Hist., ii. 162-3. Consult Mora, Mej. y sus Rev., iv. 197-201.
- ↑ The cura Antonio Palafox to Rayon, and the presbítero José María Llave to Morelos. The latter, however, was prevented reaching his destination 'porque se lo impidieron unas calenturas,' Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., ii. 103, or, as Mora says, 'no quiso encargarse de este negocio.' Mej. y sus Rev., iv. 201. A substitute was therefore sent in his stead.
of conduct was, however, marked by freedom from the rancor displayed by his brother prelates, and the coarse vituperation which too often disfigured their exhortations was never resorted to by him. He moreover frequently interposed his influence with the viceroy to save the lives of unfortunate insurgent captives. He was, therefore, regarded with less aversion by the revolutionists than his ecclesiastical colleagues. Mora, Mej. y sus Rev., iv. 198-200.
