History of Mexico Volume 4; 1804-1824 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ...The comandante, Porlier, having only 700 men was forced to concentrate them in the town to meet the emergency, also putting the citizens under arms to aid in the defence. Rayon fortified the surrounding positions, cut off communications with Mexico, and constantly threatened the town, against which he made several vigorous though unsuccessful assaults.31 The viceroy, as before stated, had not lost M Venegas, answering Calleja's confidential letter wherein he exaggerated his victory at Cuautla, thus slurs him: 'Let us be thankful to that goodnatured clergyman for having spared us the shame of raising the siege.' Among the imputations against Calleja, perhaps not the least well grounded was that of the enormous expenditures he incurred on his expeditions. The expenses of the Cuautla siege, according to official documents, amounted to two million dollars, an enormous sum, obtained in the usual way by exactions. Mendibil, Ittnumen Hht., 118-19. '3 The viceroy, with the double view of utilizing the troops, and of depriving Calleja of their support, diminished the garrison, despatching many parties into the country. He was well informed of what was taking place in Calleja's house. Negrete, Mex. Sig. XIX., v. 13-14. "On the 18th of April Rayon lost in one of his failures a portion of his artillery, and had to retire to Amatcpcc, between Toluca and Lenna, and set fire to the hacienda La Garcesa. Kcgrete, Mac. Sig. XIX., v. 41-2. sight of the place, and after allowing the army of the centre two days' rest, despatched about 1,500 men--of whom a number were taken out of jail, and others from among the insurgent prisoners--under Colonel Joaquin del Castillo y Bustamante, with seven guns. Castillo tried on the 19th of May to force the pass of Lerma, and failed. The city...