He issued at the
same time a decree under which all Indians were released from taxation,
and promised pardon to all rebels who should at once lay down their arms;
a reward of ten thousand dollars being offered for the capture or death of
the three chief insurgents, Hidalgo, Allende, and Aldama.
The civil authorities were vigorously supported by the clergy in this
action against the revolution. Hidalgo and his chief comrades were
excommunicated by the bishops, and the local clergy denounced them
bitterly from their pulpits. The Inquisition, which had taken action
against Hidalgo in 1800 for his dangerous opinions, now cited him to
appear before its tribunal and answer these charges. But bishops and
inquisitors alike wasted their breath on the valiant insurgents, who
maintained that it was not religion but tyranny that they were banded
against.
The revolutionists took possession of Valladolid on the 17th of October,
without resistance, the bishop and authorities fleeing at their approach.
As the bishop himself was gone, Hidalgo forced the canons he had left
behind to remove the sentence of excommunication.
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