and his talents must, sooner or later, lead him to distinction.
The early career of Răyōn we have seen in the beginning of this sketch. During the prosperity of Morelos, he acted as one of his lieutenants, but always retained a sort of independent command in the mountainous parts of the province of Văllădŏlīd, where he was supported by the affection of the natives, and by the natural strength of the country. His principal strong-hold was in the Cerro de Cōpŏrŏ, where he was besieged, in January 1815, by a formidable Royalist force, under Brigadier Llano, and Iturbide, which retired with loss, after an unsuccessful assault upon the works, on the 4th of March. From this moment Cōpŏrŏ became an object of particular attention to the Spanish Government. The country about it was laid waste, in order to deprive the garrison of supplies, and, during the absence of Don Ignacio Rayon, the fortress was again invested by Colonel Ăgūirrĕ, to whom it was surrendered on the 2nd of January 1817. Răyōn himself was soon afterwards taken prisoner by General Armijo, having been deserted by all his adherents, and confined in the Capital until 1821. He has since obtained the rank of General, and holds, at present, a high situation under Government in the Interior.
The fate of Don Nĭcŏlās Brāvŏ was similar to that of his former companions. After the dissolution of the Congress he wandered for some time
