CHAPTER XXIX.
PLAN OF IGUALA.
1817-1821.
Capture of Insurgent Chiefs — Fort of Jaujilla — Dispersion of the Junta — Pardon Accepted by Numerous Leaders — A Flickering Light — Affairs in Spain — The Spanish Constitution Proclaimed in Mexico — Election of Deputies — Thoughts of Independence — Iturbide Reappears — Diversity of Political Opinions — Plots to Overthrow the Constitution — Iturbide in Command — Well-disguised Designs — Overtures to Guerrero — Independence Proclaimed — The Plan of Iguala — Measures of the Viceroy.
Soon after the unfortunate Mina had met his death in front of Los Remedios, another disaster was sustained by the revolutionists at the famous hill of Cóporo. Bravo had reoccupied that stronghold, and repairing the defences, had hoped to maintain his position. At first his efforts were successful, and two assaults, conducted respectively by colonels Ignacio Mora and José Barradas, were repulsed with severe loss to the royalists. Colonel Marquez y Donallo was then sent from Mexico with an overwhelming force, accompanied by Ramon Rayon, whose thorough knowledge of the ground would be of great service to the besiegers. The place was now closely invested. In vain Guerrero tried to throw in supplies. Benedicto Lopez, while engaged in such an attempt, was captured with all his train; and this true patriot, who in one of the darkest hours of the cause had given it renewed life by his victory over Torre at Zitácuaro, was shot by order of the viceroy. On the 1st of December, 1817, the place was carried by assault, many of the
