replaced by Patricio Humana, and a special war department was created and intrusted to Joaquin Pelaez.[1] All army men and provincial officials were sent to their posts, and impressment was called into action to enforce the levies for recruits. These had to swell the regular army; and in order to leave it free to take the field against the insurgents, Calleja resolved to form a militia for the garrison duty and local defence, as vainly recommended by him to Venegas. Country proprietors were required to join in raising companies, and at the capital even prominent nobles had to swell the ranks.[2]
The military councils lately inaugurated received orders to watch the observance of regulations, and persons suspected of favoring the rebellion. Even women were not spared from their rigorous ferreting, the celebrated wife of Corregidor Dominguez of Querétaro being arrested and arraigned, although the state of her health averted punishment for a time.[3] A prominent young lady of the capital, named Leona Vicario, sent not only information but funds and other aid to her insurgent lover, a law student serving under the banners of Rayon. Betrayed by a servant, she was arrested, and notwithstanding the influence of her family, it would have fared badly with her, for she boldly avowed revolutionary sympathies, had not her friends come to the rescue, and one night
- ↑ Who escaped the first massacre at Guanajuato by proclaiming to the Indians that Hidalgo had promised to give 500 pesos to any one who should deliver him alive. Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., i. 43.
- ↑ The leading persons who at first formed the battalions of the patriotas de Fernando VII. had gradually substituted paid men, or left the ranks altogether. Although severe pressure was now applied, large numbers managed to escape duty.
- ↑ The reëstablished constitution led to the removal of corregidores, and accusations now grew stronger against her, Archdeacon Beristain declaring 'que la corregidora es una Ana Bolena, y añado, quc Gil [a cura at Querétaro] es su Wolseo.' Letters of Dec. 14th, 23d, 29th. She was hurried away one day without warning, and placed in the convent Santa Teresa at Mexico. The husband was also charged, but vindicated. Being enceinte she enjoyed comparative liberty; indeed, she was even sheltered by a suspicion of insanity. Reports and charges connected with the case may be consulted in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 370 et seq. Other arrests in Querétaro are noted in Id, 345-6. Decree against rebel sympathizers in Gaz. de Mex., 1813, iv. 697-8; Cavo, Tres Siglos, iv. 96-104.
