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PAPERS OF MIR.A.BEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
ity and indulgence. Accordingly, he announced his intention of adopt- ing a policy opposed to the cruel policy of his two predecessors. His object was not the subjugation of the people, but the reestablishment of order, not the destruction of the insurgents, but their security and well-being. He wished to pardon the past, to abandon violence, and to protect peaceful citizens. It thus happened, then, that he invited those who had been listed in the revolutionary ranks to return to their homes without fear of being punished and to continue their ordinary labors under the protection of their flag. The suave tendency of this policy was as different from the exterminating vengeance of Venegas and Calleja as the seraphs of Heaven are from the fiends of Hell. It was timed opportunely and had the desired effect. The people, tired of a bloody and obstinate war from which they had reaped noth- ing but misfortune, and which became more hopeless each day because of the dissension among the leaders, rejoiced at the prospect of attain- ing that temporary rest which their long and continued sufferings de- manded and availed themselves of the opportunity of once more en- joying the peaceful scenes of their private and domestic life. To be able to do this without molestation and free from all danger under those circumstances, was a boon and a blessing which very few had the courage to reject. For that reason Apodaca's proposal met with general approbation. The nation surrendered its arms, and in less than twelve months after his landing, this diplomatic Viceroy had the pleas- ure of seeing the rebellious people in the state of peaceful submission to the authority of their master, the }(Jing. Such was the situation of the country when Mina arrived with three hundred men, principally Americans, for the purpose of raising the war cry again. From Soto la Marina, where he disembarked on the 1 1 5th of April, 1817, to Baxio he had to cut his way with the sword, performing incredible acts of valor and heroism at every step. This part of the country was governed by the infamous Father Torres who had appropriated the principal command and established at Janjilla a sort of governing junta which was subject to his will. Jealous of Mina, he refused to assist him or cooperate with him, and the fearless Navarro, after fighting valiantly and repeatedly and suffering exces- sively, was finally captured at the Venadito ranch and executed near Los Remedios on the 11th of November, 1817 at the age of twenty- eight. Apodaca received the title of the Count of Venadito for the capture of :Mina but it would have been more just [to give it] to the treacherous priest who betrayed the unfortunate commander. Nothing but disaster followed this. Sombrero had now fallen. Los Remedios suffered the same fate in February, 1818. The garrison, forced by hunger to evacuate the place, was pursued and all but Torres and twelve of l\Iina's soldiers were put to death. There were a great many women in the fort whose fate was too horrible to record. The fort of Janjilla, which was the last haven of the independents in El Baxio, was surrendered the 6th of l\Iarch. The members of the Junta fled to Tierras Calientes in Valladolid, where they resigned their offices and formed a new government. The first act of this government was to take the command from the disorderly Father Torres and appoint Arrago one of Mina's officers, in his place. The Father rebelled against
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