Plans for the 14th were frustrated by the fears of Juan Gallo, captain of the guard, who, while sympathizing with the movement, refused to join in such arbitrary measures, though he promised not to betray them. They therefore tried Santiago García, who would be in command on the following day. He also at first refused to admit them into the palace, but was finally won over by the arguments of his lieutenant, Luis Granados, the captain of the artillery, who accepted a bribe of eight thousand pesos. [1]
Thus all was made ready. The oidores [2] were advised of the meditated attack, and the conspirators, who had assumed the name of Volunteers of Fernando VII., and were afterward distinguished by the appellation of Chaquetas, [3] cautiously assembled in the portal de las Flores at 12 o'clock on the night of the 15th. [4] Yermo placed himself at the head, and they proceeded silently to the palace gates. The guard had been locked up in their quarters, and the sentinels at the entrance stood mute and motionless. [5] Connected on the north side with the palace stood the court prison, and the sentinel on guard there, not
- ↑ This, according to the statement of Iturrigaray. Alaman discredits the assertion. Granados was afterward banished by Garibay to Acapulco, where he died shortly after. Id., i. 240. Bustamante accepts Iturrigaray's statement. ‘Captain D. Luis Granados estaba vendido á la faccion, y en la tarde habia mandado al mismo Palacio ochenta artilleros para que hiciesen cartuchos y tuviesen la artilleria á punto.' Sup. Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 236.
- ↑ With regard to previous and final communications with the oidores, consult Yermo, in Amigo del Pueblo, ii., no. vii., 211-24.
- ↑ Referring to the jackets worn as part of their uniform.
- ↑ The portal de las Flores was opposite the palace; but the conspirators were screened by the parian which intervened. Bustamante states that many of them went to the archbishop 'á recibir su bendicion, les deseó buen suceso, y exhortó como si fuesen á guerra de moros.' Sup. Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 237. Alaman denies this. Negrete considers that the conspirators actually did receive the archbishop's benediction. Mex. Siglo XIX., i. 117.
- ↑ The mayor de plaza, Coronel Juan de Noriega, was afterward charged with having been bribed, and having cooperated with the conspirators by giving orders that the troops should not leave their quarters on that night. Noriega defended himself by depositions taken from a number of the princi palactors. ln 1821 his family caused this vindication of his character to be printed and published, a copy of which is to be found in Pap. Var., clvii., no. xxxiii. Consult Yermo, in Amigo del Pueblo, ii. 218-19.
