Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 1.djvu/191

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MEXICO IN 1827.
165

During his short stay at Guănăjūātŏ, he established a Mint there, with every thing necessary for coining money, and a foundery of cannon, in which he made use of the bells which had been found in the houses of the Europeans.

I have been more particular in detailing the occurrences which took place at Guănăjūātŏ, because it was to his successul attempt upon this town that Hĭdālgŏ owed his celebrity. His name spread instantly through the different Provinces, and with his name the nature of his enterprise. From every part of the country recruits flew to join him; and, as all concurred in recognizing him as their chief, he distributed commissions and powers, by which his principles were disseminated, and his partisans augmented, in every quarter.

The consternation, which the news of the fall of Guănăjūātŏ created amongst the Spaniards in the Capital was very great; but the new Viceroy, Don Francisco, Xavier, Vĕnēgăs, who had been installed but two days before the insurrection of Dolores broke out, displayed such firmness in all his measures, that the Creoles were compelled to conceal their exultation, and public tranquillity was not disturbed.

Vĕnēgăs, though at first misled by the representations of the Aŭdĭēnciă, and particularly of the Oidor Bătĕllēr, who assured him that the sound of a drum would alone be sufficient to terrify the Mexicans into submission, soon perceived the real