By: Jane Swartz
Fighting for independence from a once-world superpower is always a tricky game to play. In 1810, Mexican insurgent leaders are battling against the Spanish at Calderon Bridge, attempting to free themselves from the oppressive rule. Two distinct plans quickly emerged, headed by Nicolas Bravo and Melchor Muzquiz. The first, being Bravo’s, detailed a fake retreat to lure the Spanish into an ambush, effectively wiping out their forces. Its name: Viva la Mexico. Muzquiz’s “Boy’s Club” called for moving cannons to blow up Calderon Bridge, as well as deploying cavalry and riflemen to take out the remaining Spanish troops. After several moderated caucuses debating these, Viva la Mexico passed.
Moments later, the Spanish General sent a messenger to address the body. He offered a meeting to try to come up with a peaceful resolution to the war, but not without blaming Mexico for all deaths on the battlefield. The offer also came with a threat: if no representative came, multiple came, or if they came armed, the Mexican army would be met with increased hostility.
The room filled with discussions of who to send, and once again, the division in the room was clear. The first to speak was Mariana Rodriguez del Toro, the wife of a Mexican insurgent. Throughout the two days of debate, she had been exposed as a traitor multiple times, had an assassination attempt, and was generally hated by the entire room. Naturally, she elected herself. The plan was for her to assassinate the General, almost guaranteeing her own death, and this seemed to be the favorite choice amongst those present. Next was Guadalupe Victoria, a versatile politician. Ever the hero, Victoria nominated himself because of his political background. Shortly following, Jose Mariano de Abasolo suggested not sending military and Muzquiz nominated himself for the position, making a total of five different ideas floating around the room.
Abasolo’s position had many supporters. Those who were more involved in the war were against deploying citizens, fearing it would be a trap. As they had already passed Viva la Mexico and had 70,000 remaining soldiers compared to Spain’s 8,000, going through with the battle plan seemed to be the best option for these people. Multiple directives were quickly submitted to the chair: No Surrender, Sweet Victory, Rest In Peace, and Send Valera, with such codes translating to no meeting, sending Victoria and taking a non-negotiation approach, sending Muzquiz, and sending Valera, respectively. However, after voting, all ideas were shot down.
A surviving directive emerged. del Toro’s plan to assassinate the General herself was finally brought to the floor, having not been submitted to the chair fast enough to get in with the other four. The committee, with no obvious other plans of action to take, almost unanimously agreed to send del Toro. A meeting took place with the general shortly after, results unknown.