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PLAN OF IGUALA.
garrison if they surrendered without resistance was received with contempt, the members of the junta deemed it prudent to consider their own safety, and effected their escape a few days afterward, taking with them the printing-press and archives. Siege was now regularly laid to the place, Aguirre being strongly reënforced by Barradas, and by troops and artillery sent by Cruz. For two months operations were vigorously carried on,[1] the position of the besieged becoming daily more desperate. An attempt made by Father Torres to relieve the garrison failed; sallies made from the beleaguered fort were equally
Fort Jaujilla.
unsuccessful, and on March 6th the defenders capitulated on the condition that their lives should be spared.[2]
- ↑ A detailed account of the siege is given in Aguirre's report of March 7, 1818, in Gaz. de Mex., 1818, ix. 573 et seq.
- ↑ The command of the fort, owing to the absence of Nicholson, had devolved on Antonio Lopez de Lara, assisted by captains Christie and James Devers, who with Nicholson had accompanied Mina from the United States. Christie and Devers were opposed to the surrender, and being treacherously seized were delivered bound to Aguirre, who, detesting such perfidy, not only declined to bring them before a court-martial, according to viceregal orders, but succeeded in saving their lives. Aguirre attributed the whole merit of the defence to their firmness and gallantry. Id., 577. He also used his endeavors to obtain their return to the U. S., but they were sent to Spain. Aguirre was from Navarre, a relative of Mina, and a man of liberal ideas, generous as well as brave. Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., iv. 505-6; Id. . Supl. to Cavo Tres Siglos, iv. 166-7; his generosity and gallantry are also corrob-
