124 Narrative of the late Conspiracy at Cadiz. [^August, 



of the disaffected was very great, and the quantity of sufferers by the 

 existing form of government equally considerable. On the downfal of 

 the constitution, all those individuals who had strongly pronounced 

 themselves in its favour were obliged either to become voluntary exiles 

 from their country, or remain exposed to the active surveillance of the 

 authorities to whom they were obnoxious. Thousands of men, therefore, 

 without any other offence than that of having followed the government of 

 the Cortes to Cadiz, were, upon its downfal, left in a state of destitu- 

 tion. Among this number we -must count a crowd of artizans and 

 mechanics, who had served as milicianos* and an equally numerous 

 band of indc/inidos.i These, together with the men serving under 

 government, and who, with the political change, lost their places, and 

 consequently the means of support, composed a multitude naturally 

 enough averse, from self-interest at least, if not from a more ennobling 

 principle, to the despotic rule which pressed heavily on their country. 

 Many of these unfortunates had employed themselves in the most mecha- 

 nical offices ; others had dispersed over the land ; not a few had fled from 

 the country, and some were dependent on the charity of their friends 

 and relatives. In these persons, no less than in the disaffected of the 

 city, the materials for a revolt were found ready at hand. But a most 

 extraordinary feature in the conspiracy — and one, indeed, for which it 

 will be distinguished from similar attempts in ancient and modern his- 

 tory — is the singular fact that strict secresy was kept by no less than 

 about fifteen hundred men during a period of several weeks. The 

 colonel that commanded the regiment forming the garrison was 

 invited to place himself at the head of the commotion. The answer 

 which he gave deserves attention. He professed himself willing to 

 second the wishes of the inhabitants, should they declare themselves for 

 a change of government ; but, at the same time, refused to take the lead 

 in the undertaking ; alleging, as a plea, that he was unwilling that the 

 attempt should bear the character of a military revolt. " Let the insur- 

 rection proceed from the people ; and the soldiers, instead of opposing, 

 will support the enterprize." This decision evinced the good sense and 

 moderation of the colonel, and appeared to afford general satisfaction to 

 those who composed the directing junta, the members of which were 

 Lopez Ochoa, a lawyer, and — a friar .'X 



The various points of the conspiracy were leisurely and prudently 

 discussed in the many meetings to which the more influential men of the 

 party were admitted. An active correspondence was kept up. Money 

 was procured, arms distributed, and a communication opened with 

 another junta, established at the Isla de Leon, to act in accordance with 

 that of Cadiz, and to second the insurrection which was to burst in this 

 city. All these dangerous transactions were carried on within the pre- 

 cincts of a town very small in compass. Hundreds of men knew the 

 progress of the scheme ; yet the governor remained in complete igno- 

 rance of the fearful plot, and seemed to sleep in security at the very 

 mouth of a volcano. The organization and arrangement of the plan was 

 as follows. It was determined that several groups should start up at 



• Volunteers, answering the purpose of the national guard. 

 t Officers deprived of their pav. 



ij: We forbear giving the names of the two last, as we are not certain that 

 tliey are in safety. 



