install one of the sub-inspectors in his place, designating Liñan. The viceroy with much dignity asserted his loyalty, and claimed that he was free from blame in the matter of the losses sustained.[1]
Liñan, and also Novella, refused to accept commands thus mutinously offered to them; but the troops were obdurate, and threatened to make Buceli viceroy. In fact, Apodaca's life was in danger if he did not comply, and Novella, to avert greater evils, assumed the responsibility. Apodaca saw the uselessness of resistance, but when Buceli laid before him for his signature a paper in which his resignation was attributed to ill health, he tore it in pieces, declining to subscribe to such a lie.[2] He then wrote out his resignation with his own hand, stating that he freely and voluntarily surrendered to Novella the civil and military commands, at the respectful request of the officers of the expeditionary forces, on condition of his person and family being safely conducted to Vera Cruz.[3] On the followed morning he retired with his family to the villa de Guadalupe, but on the approach of the independents he returned to the city and resided in the Franciscan convent of San Fernando until an opportunity was afforded him to depart for Spain.
- ↑ The loss of the internal provinces he attributed to Cruz' inaction; the surrender of Valladolid had been entirely unexpected by him in view of the assurances he had received from Quintanar; as to Querétaro, he had done all he could to aid it, ordering Castillo's and Concha's forces to march there; in regard to Puebla, which was then in danger, Brigadier Llano had repeatedly said that he was not in need of more troops. Moreover, Concha had not inarched to the support of Puebla because he had no confidence in his men. Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 249-50.
- ↑ He indignantly added, that under the existing circumstances, it was grateful to give up the command, as it afforded him a silver bridge to cross out of so many difficulties, but he would not leave it dishonorably. Id., 251.
- ↑ During the preliminaries Liñan had used harsh language to the officers, and challenged them 'uno á uno ó como quisiesen, tratándolos como merecian.' The soldiers repaid Apodaca's constant benefits with ingratitude. It is said that four days before, Buceli represented to Apodaca that he had lost 3,000 pesos from the funds of his regiment, and was in great distress. The viceroy relieved him from the predicament by lending him that sum without asking for security. His surprise was great on seeing Buceli at the head of the mutineers. Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., v. 265; Id., Garza Vindicado, 7; Gaz. de Mex., 1821, xii. 709; Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 248-52.
