Morelos then proceeded to Quetzala and Cruz Grande on the coast, sending scouts to the pass of La Sabana and El Veladero, when the commandant at the latter position, Brigadier Ávila, reported the operations of the flying column under Captain Montoro, a part of his command, against Acapulco, causing the royalists much injury.[1] Early in April he reached the vicinity of Acapulco, encamping at the cerro del Veladero, and summoned the acting governor, Captain Pedro Antonio Velez, to surrender. Openly Velez refused; but Morelos received two confidential notes without signature, said to be in the handwriting of the governor, indicating a disposition to come to terms in some underhanded way. However this may have been, or whether or not Velez intended to deceive Morelos, the latter paid no attention to the communications.[2]
The town of Acapulco is situated at the north-west extremity of the harbor which extends inland northward and, turning westward, terminates in a narrow creek. Opposite to the town on the east side stands the castle. Both town and castle are commanded by the hills of Las Iguanas and La Mira. Besides the support of the castle the town is defended by advanced fortifications, and the forts of the hospital and El Padrastro. The island of La Roqueta, stretching east and west, lies at the mouth of the harbor, forming two wide and commodious entrances.
- ↑ March 23, 1813, Col. Ponciano Solórzano took command of the district of Tlalchapa at the town of the same name. He soon after visited Simatepec and Telolóapam; at the latter place he found 15 officers and 71 rank and file, who recognized his authority. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 14, 38-40.
- ↑ The papers were subsequently used, together with other charges, at the trial of Velez. The first note said that by good management the general might reach his object; the second stated that the writer had the preceding day recommended policy, and none had been pursued; that he alone in the presence of so many could not act; the others were incensed, and he imperilled. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., vi. 114-15.
diary of the expedition kept by Juan N. Rosains, Morelos' secretary, running from Feb. 9th to April 18th, it being unknown whether Rosains continued it or not. The copy alluded to is an abridged and corrected one. Other copies appear in Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., v. 20-31, and Negrete, Mex. Sig. XIX., v. 383-405, apparently unabridged, and so full of orthographical errors that it is doubtful if they were taken from the original.
