ABSTRACT
Unknown to the rebels of Camuy, on the night of 20 September, while they plotted to overthrow the Spanish government, the military commander of Arecibo, Colonel Manuel de Iturriaga, planned to capture their leader Manuel Maria Gonzalez, and put an end to the impending revolt. One merchant the rebels wanted, who managed to escape, was Frutos Caloca. Besides suspecting Caloca of spying for the military authorities in Aguadilla, many of the rebels were indebted to Caloca. According to the druggist, Fidel Navas, who slept in Frutos Caloca's store, a group of men forced their way into that establishment, shouting "Long Live Free Puerto Rico, Death to the Spaniards, Long Live the Republic. With the Spanish merchants and government officials behind bars the rebels proceeded to rid the town hall of the symbols of the Spanish rule. They substituted them with those of the independent Republic of Puerto Rico.
