in penitential robe in which to adjure his errors and perform certain religious exercises, before a vast assembly. During the attendant ceremony of reconciliation the culprit knelt to the recitation of the miserere, and was purified by the infliction of blows gently applied. The torture chamber and the stake had passed out of date, and the inquisition itself, now only a semblance of the former dread reality, soon disappeared. The auto-de-fé of Morelos was its last imposing spectacle. Of greater significance was the act of degradation from clerical office already decided upon by the church authorities. This was solemnly performed by the bishop of Oajaca, who burst into tears during the ceremony, and roused the first and only visible emotion in the otherwise passive prisoner.
Stripped of the sacerdotal character and privileges, Morelos was surrendered to the military authorities and removed to the citadel under increased guard and with shackles, from which he had been free while in charge of the ecclesiastical officers. Greater strictness was also enjoined to prevent the use of poison, although later rumor attributed it to fears that he might escape. The inquisition jailer is said to have been so moved by his fame and elevation of character, as well as by sympathy with his priestly office, that he offered to let him escape, but Morelos declined, saying: "God forbid that I should imperil you and your innocent family to prolong my own life."[1]
Sentence had been passed, involving confiscation of property and capital punishment, with the impalement of the head and right hand at Mexico and Oajaca respectively; but it was deferred in the hope of inducing timid insurgents to submit,[2] and of drawing from
- ↑ Bustamante adds that this jailer, by name Martinez, alias Pampillon, frequently neglected his charge through drunkenness. He could hardly have effected release, with the extra guard all around, and he probably never offered to do so.
- ↑ Calleja might no doubt have stopped the execution, but he feared the Spaniards, says Bustamante. 'Quieres que mañana amanezca preso como mi antecesor Iturrigaray?' was his observation to the petition of his wife. Cuad.
