who slew him, in order to avoid the opprobrium attached to priest-killers, threw his body over the cliff.[1]
Cruz, who had hitherto remained at Iztlan, having sent his officers in advance to conduct his military operations wherever any show of danger appeared, now fearlessly proceeded to Tepic, which he entered on the 8th of February. Here he remained for three days; during which time he issued a proclamation, unusually mild in expression, reorganized military and civil af fairs, and hanged several adherents of the independent party, leaving their bodies suspended as a warning to others. On the 12th he marched to San Blas, where he arrived late at night. The activity he displayed here as elsewhere was surprising. Whatever his faults, he cannot be accused of indolence or want of administrative ability. The civil government was reorganized, the offices for the collection of the revenue were re-established, maritime and military matters put in order, artillery was mounted sufficient for the defence of the place the superfluous guns being placed on board the frigate Princesa and numerous directions were issued by him for the future guidance of officers left in command. He, moreover, convoked a council of war, at which the father of Mercado was condemned to be hanged, which sentence was carried into execution on the 14th.[2] The same day Cruz returned to Tepic, where he remained two days. On the 17th, having sent forward detachments to Sayula,
- ↑ Negrete says that a reliable witness testifies that he saw the wounds on the body, and that they were like those of a sword, or similar pointed weapon; and that a relative of Mercado is still in possession of the undershirt worn by him when he met his death. Mex. Sig. XIX., iii. 77. Mercado was born in Teul and educated in Guadalajara, where he devoted himself to the study of theology and was ordained priest. He was afterward appointed cura of Ahualulco. When Torres gained possession of Guadalajara he joined the revolutionary party with enthusiasm. Mercado possessed both ability and determination, as is evidenced by his career, brief though it was, as an insurgent leader. Verdin, in Id., iii. 383-93. Consult Verdin's account in Gaz. de Mex., 1811, ii. 142-4.
- ↑ It does not appear that any other of the captured insurgents was executed at this town. Cruz says to the viceroy, 'Todos los demás curas, frayles y demas cabecillas, no pudieron ser sentenciados, y vienen marchando hacia Guadalaxara para ser allí juzgados.' Id., 181.
