1831.] Narrative of the late Conspiracy at Cadiz. 129 



known that General Torrijos had agents in the place. Immediately on 

 the arrival of the party at Veger, the command devolved on Don Chris- 

 toval Jurado, an officer acting under the direction of the above-named 

 general. Of the capacity of Jurado to fulfil the charge entrusted to him, 

 little -was known at the time ; but the sequel afforded a plain demonstra- 

 tion of liis total want of abilities for the task. 



Whilst these affairs were transacting, the general, Don Vicent Que- 

 sada, being duly informed of the commotion at Cadiz, proceeded to check 

 the progress of the evil. He immediately repaired to that city, and 

 having provided for its tranquillity, hastened to march against the 

 liberals stationed at Veger. Jurado received intelligence of his advance. 

 He knew that the force which the general could collect in his hasty 

 progress was very small, scarcely amounting to half that which he him- 

 self commanded. Instead, therefore, of advancing against the general, 

 he preferred remaining inactive at Veger ; instead of intercepting every 

 communication between the inhabitants and those abroad, he allowed 

 the post to enter. The courier thus brought, with the private correspond- 

 ence, a proclamation from General Quesada, in which he promised a full 

 pardon to all who would quit the standard of revolt. This pernicious 

 document circulated freely through the town, and produced the most 

 fatal effects. The soldiers began to discuss the expediency of purchasing 

 personal security at the cheap rate of quitting their present chief; and, 

 indeed, the lamentable incapacity for command which Jurado had dis- 

 played might justify their apprehension that no favourable results could 

 be expected. Accordingly, desertion soon began to prevail. In parties 

 of ten and twelve, the soldiers left the town, and surrendered their arms 

 to Quesada. Jurado endeavoured, by expostulation and threats, to check 

 the progress of the contagion, but perceived, Avith dismay, that the cause 

 was hopeless. He attempted a sally, in order to gain the coast ; but the 

 moment favourable for this operation was past. A skirmish took place, 

 and then he was compelled to retreat into the town. On the following 

 day, about three hundred men, who had until now adhered faithfully, 

 came to a resolution of surrendering in a mass. This step they took ; 

 and the abandoned Jurado, with a few desperate companions, remained 

 at Veger, endeavouring to conceal themselves until an opportunity 

 should offer to gain the coast. But even this last slender hope failed 

 them. General Quesada set a price of three thousand reals — a sum 

 equivalent to thirty pounds — on the head of Jurado. Trifling as the 

 sum was, it proved a sufficient bait to induce a human being to betray 

 him Avithout remorse into the hands of his enemies. Little time was 

 necessary to decide his fate ; and Don Cristoval Jurado was executed 

 within a few hours after his capture ! 



General Quesada now considered the revolt completely quelled ; for 

 he was under no apprehension with regard to the movements of Manza- 

 nares. The followers of this chief were few in number ; they had 

 already experienced several reverses, and had long been exposed to a 

 series of fatigue, suffering, and danger. Harassed on every side, and 

 without the means either of making a stand against the enemy, or of 

 inducing the peasantry to join them, it was seen that they must fall an 

 easy prey into the hands of the royalists. The situation of IManzanares 

 was, at this time, most lamentable. He had been compelled to make a 

 hasty retreat ; many of his companions had been killed ; others had 

 deserted ; and he felt the urgency of gaining the coast with all possible 



M.M. Nov Scries.— Voh, XII. No. 68. R 



