Veracruz en armas La guerra civil 1810-1820 Antología de documentos - 1810 (English translation)
Veracruz in Arms: The Civil War, 1810–1820 Anthology of Documents
JUAN ORTIZ ESCAMILLA* Compilador
Con la colaboración de David Carbajal López y Paulo César López Romero, *Universidad Veracruzana
1810
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- 6 October: Reaction of the City Council of Veracruz to Hidalgo’s insurrection
The most excellent lord viceroy of this New Spain has received the following official communication from the most noble City Council of Veracruz:
Most excellent sir: In view of the two copies of the proclamation that Your Excellency was pleased to order published on the 27th of last September, offering rewards to those who deliver, alive or dead, the infamous D. Miguel Hidalgo, D. Ignacio Allende, and D. Juan Aldama, which accompanied Your Excellency’s superior order of the same day, and in view of the proclamation that Your Excellency was pleased to address to the inhabitants of this New Spain on the 23rd of the same month, which was enclosed with it, this City Council, gathered in council today, resolved to return to Your Excellency the most heartfelt and expressive thanks for your special vigilance, your tireless zeal, and the success of your prompt and energetic measures.
It agreed also to declare to Your Excellency that in this city and its province they owe to God, among many other singular blessings, the fact that there is no trace among them of the unrest, division, rivalry, or factions that Your Excellency so laudably desires to extinguish with all the care and concern owed to the public cause, to the brotherhood of Spaniards with one another, to the unity of the children of one same mother, to the preservation of the vassals of one same monarch, and to the rights of the members of one single society.
Under this principle, we assure Your Excellency that we do not find words with which to demonstrate the deep sorrow with which we have understood the unexpected disturbance and abominable disorders into which those wretched rebels have fallen. For although we are quite certain that, in reality, they are nothing more than evildoers of the sort that, unfortunately for the human race, have existed in all times, and that their shameful attempt at subversion cannot be characterized as capable of spreading a rebellious spirit over this New Spain, nor even over a single town or city, nor over any public body, nevertheless, under the circumstances, it casts great concern over the spirit of all faithful inhabitants of this kingdom.
What value will our treacherous enemies give to the news of an event so irreligious, so inhuman, so unreasonable, so clumsy, and so criminally undertaken? What idea will the entire world form of conduct so scandalous, when the conflicts of the metropolis require every kind of sacrifice in order to preserve unity, which is the only anchor of our hopes? And when distance and perversity distort the crime of three wicked men, and enlarge it by portraying it as the plan of the desires of some part of the sensible people of these provinces?
This City Council, nevertheless, sees with inexplicable satisfaction that this detestable general brutality of those malicious men is counterbalanced by the timely resolutions of Your Excellency, by which they will already have expiated their crime, and that order and tranquility will have been restored. It sees, too, the vindication of the good Americans, which Your Excellency, with such justice and wisdom, has considered worthy of your high foresight.
Long live, then, the unalterable confidence that New Spain is inseparable from the just cause that it spontaneously embraced, swore to, and has protested countless times to follow, even at the cost of the last drop of its blood. In spite of so firm and due a hope, it does not excuse repeating that, in every event, and in accordance with its agreement of 26 May 1809
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inserted in the authority conferred upon the most excellent señor representative of this kingdom in the Central Junta, and referred to in that granted to the señor deputy in the Cortes; that even if, as they are not, the other inhabitants of this continent were capable of failing in their duties, the city of Veracruz alone, and its province, would resist the internal and external enemies until they ceased to exist, before separating from the sacred obligations imposed upon them by nature, religion, loyalty, patriotism, and their frank and spontaneous will.
With this, and with the most sincere and highly recognized sentiments, we renew to Your Excellency those of our unshakable fidelity, ready to sacrifice ourselves in service to the fatherland, and in fulfillment of the orders of the national government, which Your Excellency so worthily represents for the common good.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years.
Council chamber of Veracruz, 6 October 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Carlos de Urrutia
José Mariano de Almanza
Ángel González
Pedro del Paso y Troncoso
Juan Bautista Lobo
Pedro Antonio de Garay
Manuel de Viva y Givaxa
Martín María de Cos
Mateo Lorenzo Murphy
Francisco Antonio de la Sierra
Alberto Herrero
Francisco Luis Septién
Valentín Revilla
Francisco García Puertas
- 12 October: The governor of Veracruz takes measures for the apprehension of the insurgents
Most excellent sir: With Your Excellency’s superior order of 27 September last, I received the proclamation concerning the uprising and attacks committed by the priest of Dolores, D. Miguel Hidalgo, and the captains D. Ignacio Allende and D. Juan Aldama. Having circulated it throughout the province under my command, with the greatest vigilance, in order to achieve the apprehension of these criminals, in the event that they attempt to embark from some point along these coasts, I inform Your Excellency in reply.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years.
Veracruz, 12 October 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Carlos de Urrutia
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy D. Francisco de Venegas.
- 1 November: Supplying the fortress of San Carlos de Perote
Most excellent sir: Now that the care of this important fortress has been secured by reinforcing its garrison, sent by Your Excellency’s superior order from the troops of the permanent regiment of Veracruz, and with the other measures adopted by me according to the circumstances, to bring into the fort all possible gunpowder, cartridges for rifles, and all flint available, it remains now to inform Your Excellency about the interesting matter of provisions, which I must not neglect in anticipation of any unexpected accident.
Daily supplies are scarce, and therefore difficult to acquire, including rice, broad beans, beans or peas, leaving the garrison and all those enclosed in the fort exposed to suffering want in the event of a siege. The fortress could fall into enemy hands in only a few days if, because of a lack of provisions, they were forced to approach its walls, since it offers little resistance because it has no stone ammunition.
Under these circumstances, and since Perote has a climate suitable for preserving seeds, I believe it is very appropriate to proceed with acquiring some supplies at the precise rate for a garrison of one thousand men for four months, storing them carefully in case events give occasion to use them. And if not, since the rebels will either be crushed and punished, they may then be sold again so that the Royal Treasury may be reimbursed for the expense, if not entirely, then for the greater part, since little or no loss would result from the sale of the foodstuffs.
These are reduced to those already mentioned, and more than anything it will be necessary to gather flour from Puebla, which is of the best quality and convenient in price, and it never goes to waste as bacon or ham and lard do.
As for meat, it is easy to provide calves, steers, and bulls from the towns of the sierra, ten leagues from here. I ask that they be ordered from the place where they are raised and fattened, and regarding this essential item I have already acquired information that will make it easier to gather a good supply of cattle to bring into this fortress.
[cut off] Your Excellency will decide what you consider appropriate, assured that in this matter we will proceed with judgment,
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economy and prudence required by fairness and by the interests of the king, and may Your Excellency consider this consultation as relieving me of the responsibility placed upon me by the command of the fort and the subsistence of its garrison, in order to foresee accidents with provisions and anticipated precautions.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years.
Royal Fort of San Carlos, 1 November 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Juan Valdés
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy D. Francisco Xavier de Venegas.
- 1 November: Reaction of the subdelegate of Xalapa to Hidalgo’s insurrection
Official communication sent to the most excellent señor viceroy of this New Spain:
Most excellent sir: The subdelegate of the town of Xalapa de la Feria, in the name of the governors and republics of Indians of this district and its thirty-four neighboring towns, declares to Your Excellency, with the most profound veneration and respect, that this jurisdiction is not the least in loyalty, in sustaining and defending the good cause until shedding the last drop of its blood for religion, for the sovereign, for Catholic order, and for the fatherland, as they have solemnly sworn.
Convinced of the atrocities, impiety, and declared treason of the priest Hidalgo and his followers, they abhor and detest his principles, considering them all the more sensible because that monstrous snares have seduced several unwary Indians of the bishopric of Michoacán. Humbly begging Your Excellency to accept them among the good vassals of our desired monarch, Señor D. Fernando VII, ready to reject the enemy and to undertake anything Your Excellency considers useful, they are firmly confident that their conduct will never be stained by ingratitude toward the benefits they repeatedly receive from our beneficent government.
Likewise, these loyal patriots await Your Excellency’s proper judgment, and ask that this act of loyalty be published in the gazette, in order to give the public an unmistakable proof of the noble sentiments that animate them.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years for the tranquility and peace of this distressed kingdom.
Xalapa, 1 November 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Bernardo de los Cobos
To the Most Excellent Señor D. Francisco Xavier Venegas, viceroy and captain general of this New Spain.
- 3 November: Reaction of the cabildo of naturales of Orizaba to Hidalgo’s insurrection
Official communication sent to the most excellent señor viceroy of this New Spain:
Most excellent sir: The illustrious Ayuntamiento of naturales of the town of Orizaba has heard with horror of the attack, never before seen in this whole world, and yet promoted in San Miguel el Grande. Our heart is so pierced by the most intense feeling over the infidelity and crimes of our brothers, while at the same time encouraged to oppose all their designs, because it is convinced of what it owes to its religion, to its beloved and captive sovereign, and to the government that represents him.
Our religion reminds us that we are all children of one same father in the natural order and in the order of grace. Adam left us united with sentiments so proper for preserving our species that they alone are sufficient for us to regard the good or evil of our brothers as our own. Jesus Christ binds us so closely to these obligations that he wishes us to return good for the evil done to us, and to dispossess ourselves of all we have, so as not to break, for our part, the bonds of charity with which we must be united.
If in the time of our gentility, when the lights of reason were as though restrained by the darkness of idolatry, the union inspired by nature was seen to shine among us, how can we lack these sentiments now, after Jesus Christ destroyed from this hemisphere the darkness of error and introduced the lights of the gospel? How can we adopt the spirit of division, when His Majesty, among so much that could be asked of God, only commended and still commands us to be one as he has loved us? What interest, what distinction, what grievance could intervene that would take away all its force from a precept so absolute and so clear?
We confess, most excellent sir, that in upholding this principle of our sacred religion, our own interest does not lead us either, because once this union, so indispensable to civil life, is forgotten, is it not to rush into a more lamentable state
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than the one we suffered in the time of our gentility? What, then, would become of our fatherland?
It is true that in that time the Indians of this district remained independent of every sovereign, and only with a kind of recognition of alliance and friendship with the noble senate of Tlaxcala. But they soon knew the advantages of being governed by the Catholic king and lord of the Spains, since they voluntarily went as far as near Tepeaca to offer their liberty into the hands of the conqueror of this kingdom. Following the footprints of their noble allies of Tlaxcala, they also assisted him in the pacification of the Chichimecas and in the other conquered provinces.
Their hopes were not vain, because since that time each of the monarchs has looked upon the Indians of Orizaba as children, and we have looked upon His Majesty as father and sovereign. They have not increased our taxes, they have not listened to our complaints, they have not granted us singular privileges, and under their protection we have lived undisturbed until now.
How, then, could we be insensitive to their outrages? How could we not willingly sacrifice our persons and our goods? Yes, most excellent sir, we already count on shedding our blood, not only in defense of our fatherland, but in every place Your Excellency may see fit to assign us.
As for our funds, we offer 6,016 pesos, the only sum existing in our treasury, since 3,000 pesos were withdrawn a short time ago for the reconquest of the Spains. We know well that our offering is small for the excessive expenses of this cause, but our affection will remain vigilant to gather as much as possible and to restore what has been collected. Our satisfaction will be to see our funds exhausted, and that Your Excellency, at the moment when you receive this representation, dispatch your orders to deliver what has been offered as a gift to our sovereign.
It is true that he is captive and that we do not have the happiness that he governs us for the long years we desire. This is what pains us, both because of what his innocence suffers and because the enemies take advantage of this occasion to try to remove us from his sovereign authority. But we have the Supreme Regency Junta, which is legitimately formed, which represents him in all his rights, and to whom we have sworn obedience as if it were our monarch.
In Your Excellency we recognize an authority that represents the legitimate authorities, and also a skilled and experienced military man who, with the help of heaven, will know how to contain the boldness and ingratitude of our brothers. For this reason we raise and place before Your Excellency our persons, our funds, everything we are and possess, so that at your discretion, as faithful vassals of Señor D. Fernando VII, in whom we glory, we may be sacrificed even to the shedding of the last drop of blood in honor of religion, the king, and the fatherland.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years.
Council chamber of naturales of the town of Orizaba, 3 November 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Manuel Mendoza, governor
Dionisio Velasco, senior regidor
Salvador Cayetano de Náxera, senior regidor
Casildo María González, clerk of the cabildo
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy, Governor, and Captain General of this New Spain.
- 7 November: Departure of the expedition of Captain Rosendo Porlier and Brigadier José de la Cruz toward Mexico
Most excellent sir: As a consequence of my official communication of the 5th of this month, number 577, yesterday afternoon the departure of the expedition under the command of Navy Captain D. Rosendo Porlier was carried out, after all necessary assistance had been provided, including baggage animals for all his people, so that he may make his march in double stages, gaining hours as is fitting under the present critical circumstances, and for the important object of his commission.
Since I have accompanied him until the moment of departure in order to smooth out any difficulty that might arise, although in official communication of 3 November, number 573, I stated to Your Excellency that I had informed Brigadier D. José de la Cruz what was appropriate, namely that he should accompany Señor Porlier for reasons of usefulness involved in the matter, this chief has made such reflections to me about how important it will be to accelerate his presentation to Your Excellency as soon as possible, that I have thought it proper to approve his honorable way of thinking. He has proceeded directly to that capital, after having contributed to the prompt readiness of the expedition, assuring
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Your Excellency that, both because of his military knowledge and because of his activity and other virtues that adorn him, he has deserved my favorable opinion, and I hope he will soon become worthy of Your Excellency’s, if until now Your Excellency has not had reason to know him directly.
I inform Your Excellency of this for your superior understanding.
May God preserve Your Excellency for many years.
Veracruz, 7 November 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Carlos de Urrutia
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy D. Francisco Xavier Venegas.
- 10 November: The Ayuntamiento of Veracruz celebrates the battle of Monte de las Cruces
Most excellent sir: This city, which did not believe that the disruptive rabble of New Spain would ever dare set foot on the plains of most faithful Mexico, and which always hoped, with the firmest confidence, that the indefatigable, wise, and prudent measures of Your Excellency would free it from every insult, has been flooded with joy upon seeing its predictions confirmed. It congratulates Your Excellency for the protection that heaven has granted to your patriotic efforts, to which we owe the preservation of this loyal and prosperous kingdom.
Our inexplicable satisfaction has been increased by the great part Your Excellency has taken in the chastisement of the enemies, and in the gallant execution of Your Excellency’s orders by the regiment of Tres Villas, which has filled this province with immortal honor, confirming the announcements that we raised to Your Excellency in the representation of 6 October, praised with the most estimable expressions in Your Excellency’s superior reply of the 16th of that month.
In celebration of so fortunate and illustrious an event, this Ayuntamiento, assembled yesterday in council, resolved to offer God tomorrow, in the parish church, with the greatest solemnity, the most reverent thanks, and to beg his divine assistance for the continuation of Your Excellency’s successes.
In addition, to perpetuate the praiseworthy memory of those who, so brilliantly, Your Excellency and the undefeated commanders, officers, and soldiers who gloriously sustained the action of Monte de las Cruces have achieved, a subscription has been opened. This Ayuntamiento has begun it with five hundred pesos from its public funds, in order to mint a medal that must be distributed to worthy defenders of the fatherland, and addressed to the loyal bodies and courts of the monarchy.
Since, from the generosity and patriotism of this neighborhood, there can be no doubt that its contributions will exceed the cost of so worthy a demonstration, it was also resolved that the surplus be distributed among the widows, orphans, and families of the dead and disabled, at the disposal of Your Excellency.
Our representative, D. Francisco Maniau y Torquemada, will present to Your Excellency the designs made for the medal, so that they may not be executed without Your Excellency’s superior approval. It will be very pleasing to us that these small but heartfelt sentiments of our deep gratitude to Your Excellency’s vigilance, and our deepest interest in the unalterable loyalty of this America, for the glory of Spain and for the happiness and restoration of our august sovereign, Señor Fernando VII, should be merited.
May God preserve the important life of Your Excellency for many years.
Council chamber of Veracruz, 10 November 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Carlos de Urrutia
José Mariano de Almanza
Ángel González
Pedro del Paso y Troncoso
Juan Manuel Muñoz
Juan Bautista Lobo
Pedro Antonio de Garay
Manuel de Viva y Givaxa
Martín María de Cos
Mateo Lorenzo Murphy
Francisco Antonio de la Sierra
Alberto Herrero
Luis de Septién
Valentín Portilla
Juan Antonio Lerdo de Tejada
Francisco García Puertas
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy D. Francisco Xavier Venegas.
- 1 December: The authorities of Cosamaloapan denounce their subdelegate
Most excellent sir: The bachelor D. Antonio de los Reyes Gavilán y Saavedra, interim priest of this parish; D. Juan Antonio de Novoa, administrator of royal excise taxes; D. Manuel Benítez y Márquez, of the royal postal revenue; D. José de Leiva Hernández, of the tobacco revenue; and D. José Martínez, in charge of the tithe collection, all Spaniards and residents of this town of San Martín Cosamaloapan, with the most due respect, say before Your Excellency: that from the reports
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From the public reports in the newspapers of that capital, we know that the army of the insurgents was defeated, and that, with the principal ringleaders fleeing along with other satellites who were able to escape, it is presumed that some of that mob may fall back into these towns, or instead send emissaries who sow the seed of discord and stir up the seducers of public peace.
The scandalous and reckless revolution of the priest Hidalgo, Allende, Aldama, and Abasolo, spread along this coast, has kept us, and still keeps us, in concern, because since its inhabitants are rustic people, the subdelegate, who ought to instruct, guide, and lead them with policy, prudence, and vigilance, lacks these qualities, lacks talent, and is hated in the jurisdiction. These motives, joined to the strong suspicion we have of his conduct, compel our resolution to set before the high consideration of Your Excellency the grounds on which they rest.
Since his arrival in this district, which was in August of 1807, his object has been nothing other than to profit from the office. As a result of these principles, there is general disheartenment among the people of this neighborhood. Withdrawn from his dealings and communication, everyone is deeply distressed that he has not taken the slightest precaution, nor instilled loyalty and patriotism in the subjects under his charge, nor checked and watched over travelers in order to comply with the superior orders issued on this matter.
Yes, most excellent sir, the present subdelegate of this jurisdiction, from the beginning of the tumultuous revolution until now, has not made a night round, nor has he taken care of the district by day, either with command or with any of the just measures that belong to him. We have noticed that he has suppressed the publication of the proclamations, decrees, and manifesto of Your Excellency; that he has abandoned and placed on a barrel in a corner of his house, covered with dust, the portrait of our beloved king, Señor D. Fernando VII, which he proclaimed here only a short time ago, perhaps for his own particular purposes. And when we hear him speak coldly of the good successes of our troops, what judgment must we form of a man who finds himself at the head of an ignorant neighborhood, in the midst of six Indian pueblos that make up his jurisdiction?
No one doubts that this district is the midpoint of the northern coast and the throat through which Teutila and Villa Alta communicate, jurisdictions bordering the valley and city of Oaxaca. It could very well happen that from those heights some malicious people might descend, following the footsteps of the rebels, to come down into the vicinity of Veracruz. What precautions, arbitrios, or measures has the subdelegate taken to contain so detestable a danger? None, sir, none. Therefore, what hope does his abandonment or lack of precision promise us, so that we will not find ourselves in conflict?
This is our fear, most excellent sir, and the same spirit that moves us as good vassals, faithful to the law and lovers of the fatherland, to appeal to Your Excellency’s high consideration, humbly begging that, if Your Excellency sees fit, you order it confirmed by reserved reports, so that the measure that ought to be taken in such cases may result from it. May Your Excellency, with your well-known talent and the love with which you look upon us, remedy these evils, assisting us with another person who may govern and instruct us according to the critical circumstances of the present time, when religion, the king, and the fatherland are at stake.
Thus we ask it of Your Excellency as good vassals, praying to you and offering our persons so that, certain of the loyalty with which we regard the just cause, Your Excellency may believe that we will defend it at whatever point you order us, even to the shedding of the last drop of blood.
May our Lord preserve the life of Your Excellency for many years.
San Martín Cosamaloapan, 1 December 1810.
Most excellent sir,
Antonio de los Reyes Gavilán Saavedra
Juan Antonio de Novoa
Manuel Benítez y Márquez
José de Leiva Hernández
José Martínez
To the Most Excellent Señor Viceroy and Captain General D. Francisco Xavier Venegas. Mexico.
- 21 December: The Gazeta de México publishes the reactions of Perote, Xalapa, and Coscomatepec in support of the royalist cause
In the town of Perote and royal fort of San Carlos, on 20 November, the principal residents of the town, together with their justice officer, came before the governor of said fort, D. Juan Valdés, with assistance also from the general staff. In this gathering, the capable residents offered to provide men and horses, along with everything else necessary for the defense of the
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fort, some offering to maintain them at their own expense, and others placing them at the disposal of the governor, according to their respective means. […]
The very illustrious Ayuntamiento, justice, and regiment of the town of Xalapa called upon the residents to provide aid, with the object of establishing an armed force to guard the town, as was done, with all those who had means voluntarily offering themselves to maintain themselves in such an interesting service, and declaring to all their patriotism according to their means. […]
…in order to resist the rebels and to offer themselves, with their persons and property, to defend the just cause. [The list follows of the corporations that commit themselves.] The governor, republic, and common body of naturales of the town of San Juan Coscomatepec, jurisdiction of the town of Córdoba, in the province of Veracruz.
- 28 December: Amatlán de los Reyes offers resources to the viceroy
The demonstrations of loyalty from the pueblos and republics of naturales continue.
The governor, republic, and common body of the town of Amatlán de los Reyes, of the town of Córdoba, have expressed to this superior government their recognition and gratitude that those inhabitants are counted among those whom the Spanish government has distinguished, both politically, morally, and economically, with singular privileges and exemptions.
In virtue of this, and in attention to the urgent needs of the state, they offer to Your Excellency their persons and property to defend the just cause, immediately contributing 300 pesos collected from the community. At the same time, they make the singular and generous request that, for now, this not be understood as a tax exemption but that they continue paying it as always until peaceful and calm times arrive.
Your Excellency has thanked them for such noble generosity and detachment, advising them that they must enjoy the exemption, since this is the express will of His Majesty.
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Royal / viceregal authority: Francisco Xavier de Venegas, Fernando VII
Veracruz provincial / city officials and signatories: Carlos de Urrutia, José Mariano de Almanza, Ángel González, Pedro del Paso y Troncoso, Juan Bautista Lobo, Pedro Antonio de Garay, Manuel de Viva y Givaxa, Martín María de Cos, Mateo Lorenzo Murphy, Francisco Antonio de la Sierra, Alberto Herrero, Francisco Luis Septién, Luis de Septién, Valentín Revilla, Valentín Portilla, Francisco García Puertas, Juan Manuel Muñoz, Juan Antonio Lerdo de Tejada, Francisco Maniau y Torquemada
Military men / commanders: Carlos de Urrutia, Francisco Xavier de Venegas, Juan Valdés, Rosendo Porlier, José de la Cruz, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, Mariano Abasolo
Insurgent leaders named as enemies: Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, Mariano Abasolo
Religious figures: Miguel Hidalgo, Antonio de los Reyes Gavilán y Saavedra
Xalapa official: Bernardo de los Cobos
Orizaba cabildo de naturales: Manuel Mendoza, Dionisio Velasco, Salvador Cayetano de Náxera, Casildo María González
Cosamaloapan officials / complainants: Antonio de los Reyes Gavilán y Saavedra, Juan Antonio de Novoa, Manuel Benítez y Márquez, José de Leiva Hernández, José Martínez
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