14th of December Francisco de la Concha, cura of the cathedral parish, warned Teran of the impending danger. One of the revolutionists, Luis Correa, had communicated particulars of the scheme to the cura of Celaya, who in turn revealed them in confidence to Concha. Teran acted with wariness and circumspection, and instead of proceeding to make arrests, was contented for the time silently to watch the persons accused. On the morning of the 21st, however, Concha again visited him and urged the necessity of immediate action; whereupon he caused the padre Santa María to be arrested. This was immediately known by the principal revolutionists, who met to plan his rescue, while Correa in alarm for his safety hurried to Teran and divulged all that he knew. Summoned by the comandante Lejarza to appear before him, the revolutionists, deeming it prudent to obey, were made prisoners. Soto Saldaña, who was not with the arrested party, rashly attempted to rouse the native population, but was discovered; he escaped, however, and hid himself. [1]
Teran now proceeded to prosecute the accused with activity, and with a vigor which eventually was the cause of his assassination. [2] But the viceroy, more inclined to mercy, and believing that severity would only fan the revolutionary flame, listened to the representations made to him in favor of the prisoners. [3] He ordered in January following the proceedings to
- ↑ This account has been mainly derived from Michelena's narrative, supplied by him to Bustamante, a copy of which is furnished by that author in his work Cuadro Hist., i. 12-16. Alaman, Hist. Mej., i. 314-17, has also been consulted, and his version of the denunciation been adopted.
- ↑ His severity 'le atrajo el ódio publico, por lo que en la revolucion del año 1810 fué cruelmente asesinado. ' Bustamante, in Cavo, Tres Siglos, iii. 268.
- ↑ Bustamante, counsel for the accused, pleaded for them personally with Lizana. 'El oidor Aguirre,' he said, 'opina que el dia que se ahorque el primer insurgente, España debe perder la esperanza de conservar esta America.' 'Yo soy de la inisma opinion,' replied the viceroy, 'vaya V. seguro de que mandaré sobreseer en esta causa.' Cuadro Hist., i. 17. Abad y Queipo represented to Lizana that 'este primer movimiento se debia tratar, ó con munho vigor, ó con mucho indulgencia,' but remarks, 'La enormidad del delito exigia la enormidad de la pena.' Informe dirig. al rey., in Zamacois, Hist. Mej., ix. 865-6.
