atening
condign punishment to any plunderers. He proceeded to make the city a
stronghold and centre for the collection of arms and money, his forces
being increased by the defection from the Spaniards of three squadrons of
regular troops, while the whole province declared for the cause of the
revolution.

While this was going on, the governing powers in Mexico had recovered from
their stupefaction and begun to take active measures to suppress the
dangerous movement. Shortly before a new viceroy had arrived in Mexico,
Don Francisco Venegas, a Spanish general who had distinguished himself in
the war with Napoleon. Fancying that he had a peaceful life before him in
America, he began his work of government by calling a council of prominent
persons and asking them to help him raise money from the loyal people for
the support of their brethren in Spain who were fighting against Napoleon.
Three days later the Grito de Dolores broke out and he saw that his dream
of peace was at an end, and that he would need all the funds he could
raise to suppress revolution in his new government.

The viceroy, an experienced soldier, at once ordered the troops in
garrison at Mexico to Queretaro, strengthening them by rural detachments,
and summoning garrisons from the north, west, and east. He issued at the
same time a decree under which all Indians were released from taxation,
and promised pardon to all rebels who should at once lay down their arms;
a reward of ten thousand dollars being offered for the capture or death of
the three chief insurgents, Hidalgo, Allende, and Aldama.

The civil authorities were vigorously supported by the clergy in this
action against the revolution. Hidalgo and his chief comrades were
excommunicated by the bishops, and the local clergy denounced them
bitterly from their pulpits. The Inquisition, which had taken action
against Hidalgo in 1800 for his dangerous opinions, now cited him to
appear before its tribunal and answer these charges. But bishops and
inquisitors alike wasted their breath on the valiant insurgents, who
maintained that it was not religion but tyranny that they were banded
against.

The revolutionists took possession of Valladolid on the 17th of October,
without resistance, the bishop and authorities fleeing at their approach.
As the bishop himself was gone, Hidalgo forced the canons he had left
behind to remove the sentence of excommunication. The town was made a
second stronghold of the r