MORELOS Y PAVON. mA-rolOs 6 ph-von', Jost MARIA (1765-1815). A Mexican patriot. Ile was born of very poor parents at Valladolid, the town now known as Morelia. and was thirty years old before he was able to secure a chance to get an education by entering the College of San Nicohis. where Hidalgo was rector. lie made rapid progress, entered holy orders, and was curi. of two parishes when in 1810 his old rector began the result against Spain. By July, 1811, when Hidalgo was shot, Morelos had won considerable reputation as a brave tighter and safe leader. During the following winter be won a series of victories in the south and west, con!. plctely paralyzing the Spanish power for a time. From February 19 to May 2, 1812, Morelos with about 5500 men held the town of Cuatla a:Ntinst a greatly superior Spanish force under General Calleja, and finally succeeded in fighting his way out of the town. In October. 1812, he captured Orizaba, and on November 25th took Oaxaca by storm. In August, 1813, he besieged and took Acapulco. Morelos now set about the organiza tion of an independent Mexican Government. Be called a congress at Chilpatzingo \\Adel' abolished slavery, forbade the collection of tithes for re ligious purposes, and, on November 6, 1813, is sued a Declaration of Independence. In Decem
ber Morelos marched to Valladolid, where he was attacked and defeated by Iturbide, who completed the dispersion of the independents by attacking them again at Puruaran on January 15, 1814. Morelos retired to Acapulco and again summoned a congress. The Royalists followed up their advantage, driving the revolutionists from one place to another. until November 5, ISIS, when. just as Ile two parties were preparing for battle near Texmalaca, a traitor named Carranco in the army of Morelos betrayed the latter into the enemy's bands. Morelos was conveyed to the City of Mexico, where he was delivered over to the Inquisition, which condemned him to do penance as "an iinconfessed heretic and a traitor to God. the King, and the lie was then handed hack to the secular arm. and was shot on the 214 o• 2241 of December. ISIS. His remains at present repose in the Cathedral at Mexico. and his name is revered throughout the eonntry as one of the earliest martyrs. with Hidalgo. of the cause of :Mexican independence.