The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-06

it was deemed expedient to husband all
available resources, so the execution was
deferred. The commaudant, putting use
less muskets in the hands of Ellis and
others, set them 10 guard section of the
beleaguered walls not then threatened by the
besicgers. The opportunity so long prayed
for by Ellis had come at last, in way he
little expectcdj so organising his small band
of prisoners, he broke through the walls,
passed out at midnight, joined the patriots,
made known the weakness Of the garrison,
and proposed plan for capturing the for
tress His bearing and boldness attracted
the notice of Morales, who eagerly listene d
and, deeming the time suspicious for an
assault, put Ellis at the head of storming
party. Before daybreak the cheers of the
patriotsannounced the fallofAcapulco. Thus
the newly made colonel before sunrise had
she pleasure Of seeing the tri color Of the
reyolutionists wave triamphantly over the
Spanish stronghold.
Of the events which had happened in the
country Ellis was wholly ignorant. No
news had been allowed TO reach him in his
prison, and until this night he knew moth.
ing Of the revolution which was swearing
like tempest over the land. He was sur.
prised at its extent, and catered heartily
into the plans of its leaders, Hidalgo, the
patriot priest, the genius of the revolt, had
been driven northward, was shot, and his
undisciplined followers scattered like leaves
by the royal troops. This pioneer martyr
TO liberty in Mexico was succeeded by Nor.
ales-not better man but an ADLER leader
who gathered an army, fought up and
down the country, pursuing and pursued,
defeated one day, victorious the next, un
til he had trayersed almost every province
in tho yiceroyalty of New Spain.
The sing e service rendered the patriot
cause by Ellis assured his rapid promotion,
and before the expiration of the year he
held the second position nthe revolutionary
army. He took part in all the important
engagements after the fall of Acapulco.
He led all the forlorn hopes, and in person
commanded the rear guard in retreats. He
exhibited unusual military ability and a
wonderful capacity to organise the dsorderly
aud Ignorant masses of recruits.
Some time during the war Ellis was sent
by the revolutionists as Envoy Extraordi.
nary to Washington, to enlis. for their cause
the sympathy, and, if possible, the assis.
lance oil the Government of the United
States. He had now become identified
with the cause of the patriots, and was in.
deed thoroughly Mexicanised. His recep.
ton at Washington was not at all encour
aging; but he never published the cause Of
his failure, nor do the records at the capital,
except in brief, refer to the action of the
envoy. Disappointed and disguised, he
left Washington, going overland to New
Orleans, where he had left young Almonte
to be educated. Almonte was the illegiti.
mate son of General Morales, and figured
IN most of the prominent political events
OF Mexico down to the fall of the Empire
OF Macmillan. At New Orleans he wa;
npprlsed OF the complete overthrow of the
reyolutionists and the execution of Morales
by the Spanish authorities. lie did then
what few men would have done. he i'm
mediately embarked for Vera Cruz. Once
in Mexico, he en- gagged zealously in plots
aud revolIs against the existing govern.
ment. But the spirit OF the patriots. after
SO long a struggle, was broken. The mas.
ses were ready again to bow their heads
and submit. their neckc to the yoke Of the
conqueror.
In the meantime Ellis was outlawed and
proclaimed a traitor, and a price was set
upon his head. He might have escaped to
his native land, but he would not. He was
the companion of Victoria while hiding
from the Spanish troops in the barrances
and mountains Of the State of Vera Cruz
and after several years of suffering and mi.
walton, he made a bold push across tho
country to the Pacific slope, where, Joining
a body of patriots then gathered in the
mountains, he again publicly deied the
authority of the Viceroy. Once he was
captured by the loyalists and sen tenced to
be shot. These wretcaed troops were
drawn up and ordered to fire upon the
patriot General. Six balls struck Ellis in
the body but owing to the Indifferent
character of the arms and ammunition used.
only two of the balls penetrated the skin.
When the smoke drifted away the condemn.
cd man stood unframed. Mexicans are
superstitious; and in the confusion Incl.
dent to this miraculous escape, Ellis step.
ped aside, darting into the chapparal, aud
was soon beyond pursuit In a few days
he was among his friends, again melting
them by words and actions to resistance and
revolution.
When lturbide began his crusade against
the Spanish power in Mexico, Ellis was
one of his strongest supporters. He fought
in every considerable engagement until the
independence of the country was assured.
Upon the establishment of the irst empire.
ltarbde made him Minister of War, and
soon thereafter conferred upon him the
title of Duke de Cuernayaea. The some.
what inconsistent action ST the patriot Ellis
IN acceptance of Office under and supporting
an empire, must in part be attributed to
the degeneracy of the times and the spirit
prevalent in that turbulent land. Living
in that country and forced to meet Next
cans on their own ground, he became in
some sense a Mexican.
About this period Ellis Duke ARace, as
he was calied) married Mexican lady of