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”Blackbirds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven

I tend to think that this particular type coin minted 1958 to 1967 can truly be deemed as ‘Junk’ silver since it’s silver purity is at a low 0.100 fineness converting to a net silver weight of 1.6g out of 16g of this crown sized coin. Even an American dime has more silver at 2.25g net and the Canadian 10 cents at 1.86g net. Nevertheless, it is the sixties and the decade where all the world's countries are going off physical silver as coinage into the fiat paper currency model. The only silver used in coinage will remain in Commemorative and collector’s issues.

Sister Teresa D'Mordecai Part 4: General José Morelos

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The sun begins to set as Revolutionary army of General Morelos settles into the Valley’s township of St Angeléasta welcomed by the partisan townsfolk. Many of the revolutionary soldiers were welcomed into homes with spare room yet many more set up camp where they could, their camp fires begin to light up the roadsides, fallow fields and orchards.

Meanwhile several Nuns huddled with their ears by the door, eavesdropping on the discussion regarding Sister Teresa’s violent conduct as a nun of the order. Mother Eva's uncharacteristic use of strong language invoked muted giggles among the girls. “Oh my, Sister Teresa, this is not the way to set an example to the children and now they are running around beating each other with sticks! They are rolling around the ground shouting, “We Royalists surrender you win the war Sister Teresa! You win! …what am I going to do with you? Now I have to find a suitable discipline for our heroine!”

Ana frowns as she pressed her ear closer by the door, Teresa answers for her conduct.

“I understand Mother; I will accept your wise discipline. Forgive me for I have sinned against you and my sisters the Order. I shall perform the appropriate penance as you prescribe.” Replied Teresa.

Mother Eva’s tone changed to a conciliatory one, "Was it something in your past that tempted you into using... violence?”

There was a pause and a drawn out sigh, “I couldn’t let the soldiers violate Sister Ana. I will not stand for it!” There was the sound of a fist striking the table and another drawn out pause, ”I was barely ten years old as I was sold as child slave for immoral powerful men to violate… for money…”

The girls gasped and pressed closer to the door. Ana whispers, “Our poor Sister Teresa….”

“Excuse us Sisters.” Sister Argénta leads four men into the hall past the nuns to the meeting room door. “Don’t you girls have something to do like… HELP WITH THE WOUNDED?”

They all reply in unison,” Yes Sister Argénta!” and scurried out the front door.
She tapped on the meeting room door.
Mother Eva replied, “Enter.”
"Mother Evangelista, may I introduce the officers of the Army of Independence." The four men removed their hats and followed Sister Argénta into the room.

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The first officer was handsome, gentlemanly and well mannered. "Buenos Dias Mother of St Angeléasta, I am Captain General José Morelos and these gentlemen are my lieutenants Vincente Guerrero, Guadalupe Victoria and Rodriguez Sebastian Lopez. We beg that we may have our wounded men take shelter here at your convent for some respite time."

"See to their needs Sister Felicia," ordered Mother Eva.
"Si Mother Evangelista. Felicia stands and immediately steps out of the room.
Teresa stood up from her chair, "I will assist Sister Felicia since Sister Clareta is recovering from her injury."
"No Sister Teresa, because of your act of defiance before Captain Oréaga and his Royalist thugs, we can trust you to join us."

Mother Evangelista now formally addresses their guests, "Father José Morelos, it is an honor to meet you again. Please sit gentlemen, Sister Argénta, bring meals for our guests and join us."
"Oui, Mother Eva," replied the French nun but stared at Teresa a little suspiciously before turning out the door.
"Sister Argénta you have met before, Father and this is our new amazing Sister Teresa who defied the Royalists just before you arrived.”
Teresa respectfully bows, “Father Morelos.”

"Ah Sister Teresa, the heroine I hear from some of your Sisters were glowing and listening with praise." Rather than the usual acknowledgment Morelos kissed Teresa's hand before laid his hat on the table. He nodded to his officers and took a moment to straighten the bandana over his head before finally leaning back in his chair fatigued. He turned to the Reverend mother, "And I heard of your passionate support of Independence from the last letter from Miguel."
"Then you know." Mother Eva's eyes welled up in sorrow.
"I also grieve the loss of a patriot brother even though his methods and tactics were clumsy."
"You seem to have a smaller army than General Hidalgo's. Can you achieve where General Hidalgo didn't?"
"Morale is very good with the victories we've already accomplished. And casualties light, I feel that God is with us."

Teresa eases into the conversation, "Your army must be quick and versatile, against the many the well trained and equipted Royalists have mustered, and such odds have been achieved before."
"I confide with your assessment Sister Teresa; it sounds as you have a talent for tactics. What do you think of the possibilities, be frank and realistic please."

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General Morelos' question was a probing one to test her character. Most men would outright dismiss a comment let alone advice especially from a nun. Especially in the practice of war but he appeared remarkably open to it.
Four nuns entered the room and placed a meal before each person before departing. Sister Argénta sits next to Mother Eva and reports, "We have received twenty wounded men in the hall and thirty-one of less serious injuries housed in the sanctuary. Sister Clareta is better but remains dizzy from the blow to her head. She remains in her room for now; at least the swelling has been reduced.
Mother Eva nodded, "Thank you for your report Sister Argénta."

"Your girls are loyal to you as my men are to me." Morelos smiled, "Allow me, Mother Evangelista." Morelos produced a large silver cross from under his jacket. "Father in heaven we thank thee for this bounty and refreshment, and thank thee for thy victory you gave us, and give grace to all those who you have chosen to spread your word of liberty for all men, even for our enemies that are also your children made in your image. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost amen!"

As all in the room replied in a chorus, “Ahem!” Teresa felt a prod in her spirit as if that silver cross has a supernatural quality. A characteristic feeling of a spirit or at least a mimic is clinging to that cross in a subtle yet undetectable state by mere mortals. It was cursed but in what way?

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”There is no other substance in the universe that has such a contradictory duality than silver! While silver may have a multitude of useful physical and chemical properties, it also has the ability to be imbued with either a curse or a blessing. It is God's money, and at the same time The Devil's metal. ~ Brother Philip of the Celestial Monastery 1688 AD

The four men looked towards the Mother, “And Gracias Mother Evangelista.”
Mother Eva smiled, "You are welcome gentlemen, Father Morelos, and how is his Holiness standing with the Revolution?"
"I think his Holiness remains neutral, we have waited long enough and his silence has answered for us. With the betrayal of Father Hidalgo by the Bishop of Mexico City had shown his true colors." With a frown he digs into his beans, "I know the hearts of the people and we must become our own Nation!”

Guerrero chimes in, "It feels like the whole world is at war. My letters from Spain says the French have control of most of Spain and ousted the king of Castile. Ferdinand is desperate for gold and silver to pay his armies and mercenaries to fight Napoléon so he’s squeezing the colonies dry of their wealth but only to be skimmed off like fat by the greedy Viceroy and his Juntas before sending the pittance to Spain. "

“They stab each other in the back while we fight their battles,” Lopez had already finished his beans, gulps down his drink and pockets his bread. “If you will excuse me, I have some issues of organizing some new volunteers into our ranks.”
Father Morelos acknowledges his officer’s responsibilities with a silent nod. Lopez tips his hat to Mother Eva and closed the door behind him.

Victor adds, "It is then the poor people here that suffer most by this inequality by the small minority of powerful. The people not only pay by their sweat and the powerful sacrifice nothing at all but become even wealthier from it all. The majority should decide for themselves than the few. I still believe in my heart that a Republic is preferred more than a Constitutional monarchy. "

General Morelos swallows a spoonful of baked beans, "Father Hidalgo envisions all Mexicans from pure Spaniards to mixed bloods to pure Indian blood as equals! Say, these beans are delicious."

Guerrero waves his spoon, "Either way, there must be change. I do know we must keep the idea of Independence alive. I feel it is time! The Royalists may be well armed and trained but if we could close the gap with better rifles and canons the chance of success would be even greater."

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Father Morelos finishes his plate then says something out of place, “Saint Bess is in San Antonio I hear.”
Mother Eva hesitates to wipe her mouth with her napkin, “The paymaster waits in the graveyard, poor Sister De La Rosa.”

It was code. Teresa understood that Morelos had to come to this convent for a reason. It also meant that this Convent was participating in the Insurrection in some form and not merely a rest stop for a weary army.

"So Sister Teresa, you have had some experience in military tactics. I like to hear a fresh perspective from a unique Nun." His tone was somewhat pragmatic with barely a hint of skepticism. Perhaps he needed a bit of escape from the burdens of responsibility of command.

"I had the opportunity to study at the Jesuit library in Wuhan China and studied the writings of an ancient army general named Sun Tzu. And according to the memoirs he commanded an army of ten thousand against an enemy of one hundred thousand and won."
His eyebrows arched in curiosity, "Interesting, and how does my army compare to that of this..... Sun Tzu?"
Teresa smiled, "I can't really say, I have yet to see this magnificent army of yours Captain General."
"I can show you now." He said with an inviting grin as Mother Eva’s brows arched in slight disapproval.

"Will you? Not that I want to waste your valuable time, as I'm sure there are more important matters to take care of," Teresa glanced over to Mother Eva knowing that she wanted to avoid discussion about war. But it's where Father Morelos wanted to go to. Morbid as the business of war but to him it was a deep sense of purpose and his faith in his Regulars and Irregular troops. Part idealistic but firmly realistic. Charismatic and seems a bit of romantic at heart.

Father Morelos grinned, "Then let me show you the Patriots I am proud to fight with."
With that the Captain General extended his hand to Teresa as an invitation. She looked upon Mother Eva for permission and the Mother reluctantly nodded in approval. Her gaze turned back to the Captain General, "Yes, I would be pleased."

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I hope you enjoyed this coin feature, thank you for stopping by my Blog for this quick read.

Previous 3 chapters of Sister Teresa D’Mordecai;

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References

Source References

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“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”