116 A STRANGE STATE PRISON. 
of hewn-stone, which was commenced by the 
Jesuits previous to their expulsion in 1767, 
but never finished. By the outlines still trace- 
able amid the desolation which reigns around, 
it would appear that the plan of this edifice 
was conceived in a spirit of still greater mag- 
nificence than the Parroquia which I have 
been describing. The abounding architectu- 
ral treasures that are mouldering and ready 
to tumble to the ground, bear sufficient evi- 
dence that the mind which had directed its 
progress was at once bold, vigorous and com- 
prehensive. 
fice has also acquired considerable celebrity 
as having received within its gloomy embra- 
ces several of the most distinguished patriots, 
who were taken prisoners during the first 
infant struggles for Mexican independence. 
Among these was the illustrious ecclesiastic, 
Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who made 
the first declaration at the village of Dolores, 
September 16, 1810. He was taken prisoner 
in March, 1811, some time after his total de- 
feat at Guadalaxara; and being brought to 
Chihuahua, he was shot on the 30th of July 
following, in a little square back of the prison, 
where a plain white monument of hewn stone 
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