REGENCY OF SPAIN. 



315 



In Mexico, the arrest of the Viceroy Itur- 

 rigaray, on the 15th of September 1808, by 

 a party of Europeans, excited a strong feel- 

 ing of discontent amongst the Spanish Ame- 

 ricans ; and several of the latter being put to 

 death, and others detained in custody, upon 

 alleged charges of disaffection to the govern- 

 ment ; whilst the arrival of the new Viceroy 

 Venegas announced the bestowing rewards 

 and honours upon those who had instigated, 

 or participated in, the forcible removal of 

 Iturrigaray, an insurrection, in consequence, 

 commenced on the 16th of September 1810, 

 at the town of Dolores, near Guanaxuato, 

 which, in a short time, extended through 

 the greater part of the Viceroyalty. 



The Regency of Spain, true to that absurd 

 policy which actuated all the Spanish au- 

 thorities, and which was so much the more 

 absurd under the then circumstances of 

 Spain, on receiving intelligence of the events 



