No sooner had Allende received news of the arrest of the Gonzalez family and household than he hastened to Dolores, being now aware that his purposes were widely known to the authorities.[1] His interview with Hidalgo was marked by rapid deliberation and prompt decision. When Allende and his companions arrived at Dolores the cura was entertaining visitors, and the revolutionists remained outside until they had departed. When admitted, they informed Hidalgo of the arrests which had been made, and the discovery of their plans. The cura, who had listened to their statements with imperturbable calmness, exclaimed, "Action must be taken at once; there is no time to be lost; we shall yet see the oppressors' yoke broken and the fragments scattered on the ground!"[2] He then ordered the street watchmen who were attached to the cause to be called in, and sent them to summon the workmen in his pottery and silk factories. These soon assembled to the number of fifteen or sixteen, to whom Hidalgo communicated his intention of immediately raising the cry of liberty.
- ↑ Guerra states that Allende 'conoció su peligro por este murmurio público, ó tal vez, por que su mismo gefe Canal le avisó de la orden que habia recibido de Mexico para prenderle.' Hist. Rev. N. Esp., i. 292. As 'este murmurio' has reference to the arrest of Dominguez on the night of the 15th, Guerra is in error, since Allende was at that time on his way to Dolores.
- ↑ This is the statement of Sotelo, an eye-witness. Hernandez y Dávalos, Col. Doc., ii. 322. Alaman gives a different account, derived from statements made at the trials of Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, and others. He states that Allende went to Dolores on the 14th, and that the news of the arrests at Querétaro was brought by Aldama, who only arrived at Dolores at two o'clock in the morning of the 16th; that the cura was roused from his bed, and exclaimed: 'Gentlemen, we are lost; the only resource left is to seize gachupines.' Hist. Mej., i. 373-4. In view of the narration of Sotelo, who was present on the occasion, and taking into consideration the statements made in the trials, I follow Sotelo's version.
employers. Dominguez effected the necessary reforms, and drew upon him self the enmity of the owners, who were mostly Europeans. Nevertheless, his public conduct, and the faithfulness with which he managed the large estate and fortune left in his charge by Doña Joséfa Vergara for beneficent purposes, won for him the regard of the inhabitants of Querétaro. Zamacois attributes the easy acquittal of Dominguez either to policy on the part of Collado, who considered it might be prudent to show generosity when the revolution had already commenced, or to the pressure of a threat expressed by the Indian inhabitants of the Cañada that they would rise in revolt if the corregidor were not released. Hist. Mej., vi. 324. That the corregidor was enabled to maintain bis position at such a crisis speaks loudly to his credit as possessing a strong hold on the regards of both parties—or as a consummate political craftsman.
