History of Mexico (Bancroft)/Volume 6/Chapter 16

by Hubert Howe Bancroft

 

CHAPTER XVI

END OF THE JUAREZ RÉGIME.

1868-1872

Under the New Order of Things — Reelection of Juarez — Seditions and Uprisings — Ministerial Crisis — Earthquakes and Hurricanes — Creation of New States — Administrative Reorganization and Improvements — Pronunciamientos and Revolutions — Insecurity — Amnesty — Political Parties — Juaristas, Lerdistas, and Porfiristas — Plan of La Noria — Failure of the Porfiristas — Death of Juarez — Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada Installed as President — Remains of Juarez — Reflections on his Career

Juarez had scarcely taken possession of the executive chair on his reëlection in December 1867, when political disturbance broke out which lasted to the day of his death. First, an attempt was made to dispute the legitimacy of Juarez' authority. Then followed insurrections n several of the states. Iu Yucatan quite a serious disturbance took place, and Alatorre was sent there with his brigade.^[1] The revolted Indians, even after several defeats, continued their irruptions on the peaceable towns. The government decreed on the 27th of March, 1868, to establish in Campeche a military colony of 500 men.^[2] There were seditious movements, also, in Guerrero,^[3] Details of the actions which never assumed the proportions of battles, and of the defeats of the insurgent leaders, may be found in El Constitucional, April 13 to June 30, 1968; Diario Oficial, April 12, 19, 30, May 17, July 14, Aug. 23, Sept. 26, 1868. Miguel Negrete was a deserter from the republican service during the imperial war, and went abroad; he afterward tendered his services to Maximilian, who gave him the office of comandante general of Vera Cruz. On the downfall of the empire he became the leader of a gang nicknamed Los Plateados. Aureliano Rivera was a general of brigade of the republic, and for his rebellion was dropped from the rolls of the army. Boletin Rep., June 28, 1867; La Estrella de Occid., June 28, 1867, July 3, 1868. Congress on the Sth of May suspended certain articles of the constitution for conspiracy offences, and they remained so suspended till Dec. 3!, 1868. El Derecho, iii. 441-2; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 319-20, 511.

Puebla, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Querétaro, Jalisco, Sinaloa, and other parts, all of which were defeated by the government's forces. The most formidable were headed by Miguel Negrete, the ex-general, and by the guerrilla chief Aureliano Rivera; but they met with ill success, and had to seek safety in flight.^[4]

An insurrection of the Yaquis occurred in Sonora, which region suffered likewise from the raids of the Apaches. The government, among other measures, concluded to establish military colonies near the frontiers.^[5]

Ministerial crises likewise contributed to the general uneasiness. Juarez determined to have, under his present tenure of office, the same cabinet ministers that served during the dictatorship. This was another step which awakened a strong opposition.^[6] Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada was asked to be minister of foreign and internal relations,^[7] and congress was requested to grant him leave to act as such, a ell as for Deputy Balcárcel to continue as minister. The permissions were granted, but without implying a vote of confidence, an opposition of forty deputies doing Juarez much damage. The portfolio of the treasury was finally intrusted to Matías Romero, and that of government to Ignacio L. Vallarta; the latter held his position but a short time, as he was a confirmed constitutionalist. After his retirement, José M. Iglesias succeeded him in June, in which month Ignacio Mariscal was called to the department of justice, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Martinez de Castro.^[8] Juarez failed to restore harmony in the liberal party, and congress, being mainly made up of the victorious republicans, was the object of constant attack from the conservatives, who accused it of puerility, frivolity, tardiness, and the like.

 

Political troubles were not the only calamities heaped upon Mexico. Convulsions of nature now visited some portions of the republic. The worst cases were those of Matamoros, Bagdad, and Brazos in Tamaulipas, and Tuxtepec in Oajaca, which were almost destroyed in October and November 1867, by earthquakes, hurricanes, and freshets.^[9] The last-named state had again to suffer, in May 1870, from a great destruction of life and property, caused by earthquakes.

The disturbances of the several states arose from the dissatisfaction of the minorities, who alleged that their defeat had been the result of violence and corruption, the general government being charged with tampering with the polls to secure the election of its friends.^[10] The injudicious electoral law of August 14, 1867, prompted many to suspect Juarez of unconstitutional ideas. This suspicion was increased when his ministers asked congress several times, and particularly on the 25th of January, 1868, to grant him larger powers, which was done on the 8th of May, when several personal rights were suspended, and the mode of trying conspirators was determined. Measures were taken for internal improvement, and for the promotion of trade, agriculture, and general business.^[11]

One trouble was the friends of Gonzalez Ortega, now known as Orteguistas, who wished to have undone all that had been done, going back to the time when, as they claimed, Ortega should have been recognized as president, he having issued a manifesto in support of his claim. Ortega arrived in Zacatecas on the 8th of January, 1867, accompanied by General Patoni, and announced himself to Governor Anza, who sent Secretary of State Marquez to inquire the object of his visit. He said that he had come as president of the republic, and wished to hold a conference with the governor. This being granted, Ortega urged his right to the presidency; but in place of acknowledging this, Anza arrested Ortega and Patoni and sent them to Juarez,^[12] who kept them in durance until his position was assured, when the government ordered their release.^[13]

Early in 1868 insecurity throughout the country assumed alarming proportions.^[14] In most of the states robbery, kidnapping, and murder were of daily occurrence.^[15] But by the end of 1868 quiet was somewhat restored, the insurgents being defeated everywhere, without the government having resorted to ruinous taxation.

 

The expediency of creating new states from the large territory possessed by the old state of Mexico was generally acknowledged. On the 1st of December, 1868, congress enacted a law for the formation of the state of Morelos.^[16] It required that a legislature and executive should be there installed within four months. President Juarez sanctioned, and published on the 17th of April, 1869, the creation of the new state, and it was subsequently ratified by the other states. The state government was formally installed on the 26th of April.^[17] The population of Morelos at that time was about 121,000.^[18] The capital was established in Cuernavaca, a town of some 12,000 souls.

The state of Hidalgo was erected pursuant to an act of congress of January 16, 1869,^[19] which measure was well received by the nation. The boundaries were: on the north, the states of San Luis Potosí and Vera Cruz; on the east, Puebla; on the south, Mexico; and on the west, Querétaro.^[20] Its population was about 404,000. The chief source of wealth consisted in working the rich mines of gold, silver, lead, copper, iron, alum, sulphur, etc. Pachuca was made the capital, a town of about 12,000 inhabitants. The organization was completed with the election of authorities by the people on the 17th of May, 1869; Antonio Tagle was chosen governor, and installed on the 27th.^[21]

The state of Mexico with the curtailment of territory was left with only 20,300 square kilometers.^[22] The population in 1870 was 612,000, and in 1874, 663,557. The capital was established at Toluca, a city of about 12,000 inhabitants. The state does not include the city of Mexico, which with a portion of adjacent country forms the district of Mexico, or federal district, where the supreme national authorities officially reside.^[23]

 

The year 1869 opened under more favorable auspices. Liberal institutions were becoming more firmly rooted; administrative reorganization and material improvements again went forward. Hopes were entertained that no more serious disturbances would take place, at least till there should be another attempt to reëlect President Juarez. These hopes were, however, destined to disappointment. A pronunciamiento of a seditious character occurred in Mérida, Yucatan, in January and February, which was summarily suppressed, and a number put to death by Colonel Ceballos. These executions were regarded throughout Mexico as but little better than assassinations.^[24] The Indians also were troublesome here. After the restoration of the supreme authority of Mexico over Yucatan, the state was regularly allowed pecuniary

Yucatan.

resources, which with its revenue sufficed to meet all expenses, even leaving a balance over. But early in 1869 the general government stopped the supplies, and then the state treasury was obliged to support the troops on the Indian frontier.^[25] During 1869, owing to drought, the corn crop, forming the staple of food for the masses, was very small, and the people suffered greatly. Agriculture was, generally speaking, in a deplorable state, resulting from the twenty years' struggle, which required a large portion of the population to be constantly on the frontier watching the Indians. However, in the region free from Indian depredations henequen was cultivated on a large scale, and quite profitably, promising to become a source of wealth.^[26] The war of races continued without the hostile Indians manifesting any disposition to submit, or even to treat with the government.^[27]

Other states were also the victims of hostile Indians. Nuevo Leon was often raided by wild Indians from the United States.^[28] Chiapas suffered from a war of castes;^[29] the national congress and executive at once resolved to aid the state with arms and money.^[30] Indian troubles continued, however, for a long time afterward. The frontier states of Chihuahua and Sonora continued to be the tramping-ground of the relentless Apaches.

A pronunciamiento took place at Puebla, headed by Miguel Negrete, who had been in concealment in that city, on the 3d of February. He was, however, obliged to abandon the place on the 7th, and on the 22d of the same month was defeated by General Cuéllar at Lagunilla near San Martin Atexcal. The rebel force was completely dispersed.^[31] Insurrectionary movements also occurred in almost all the states; but by the end of June public security was reëstablished, and in October and November the pacification was nearly completed.^[32]

Another revolution broke out, however, on the 15th of December, 1869, at San Luis Potosí, headed by generals Francisco Aguirre, Martinez, and Larrañaga, against Juarez' government, and was seconded on the 10th of January, 1870, in Zacatecas by Governor Trinidad García de la Cadena, who placed himself at the head of the whole movement.^[33] The rebels, supported by a body of troops of the fourth division, seized a conducta of about $70,000. The public peace was also again disturbed in other states. The president displayed due activity, having first obtained ample powers from congress.^[34] The states where the revolution developed itself in force, namely, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Jalisco, and Querétaro, were placed under martial law.^[35] In about four months the movement, which had been one of personal ambition, but threatened the existence of Juarez administration, was forced to succumb, the rebels being defeated on the 22d of February, 1870, by General Rocha,^[36] at a place known as Lo de Ovejo, with heavy losses.^[37] The result was that Guadarrama and other prominent leaders submitted to the government. García de la Cadena afterward captured Zacatecas, from whose merchants he obtained a large sum of money, and from private citizens arms and horses, and then departed for Sierra Hermosa; but soon after was routed at Villanueva, and forced into exile.^[38] The insurgents met with disaster at every encounter, and finally gave up the struggle.^[39] This revolution left homeless a large number of men who had rendered good services to their country.

 

The long-desired general amnesty law was finally enacted by congress on the 13th of October, 1870.^[40] It contained eleven articles, and embraced persons who, to the 19th of September of the same year, had been guilty of infidencia, or treason, sedition, conspiracy, and other offences of a political nature. From its benefits were excepted, 1st, the regentes and lugartenientes of the empire; and 2d, generals who, while commanding in chief a division or corps d'armée, deserted to the foreign invader.^[41] One month was granted for insurgents still under arms to apply for their pardons; failing in which, they were to be prosecuted. The eleventh article declared that the persons included in the second exception should not be sentenced to the penalty of death, to which they were amenable, but to the "mayor extraordinaria." A few days later several deputies^[42] moved that the benefits of the amnesty should be extended to the men who had been regents of the empire, but congress rejected the motion. Prisoners entitled to the amnesty were released. Among them were the ex-generals Severo del Castillo and Miguel Negrete. The latter had been arrested in July, subjected to trial, and being convicted, was sentenced to death.^[43] But the people would not allow such a fate to befall one of the heroes of the Cinco de Mayo, as well as a brave defender of Puebla the following year, and petitions for his conditional pardon came from all quarters, and he was released on the 14th of October^[44] One of the great difficulties Juarez had to contend with was the constant demand from the liberal party for a change of policy, and consequent change of ministers, to which he paid no heed. He was also greatly censured for having his salary account adjusted, and the balance due him paid by the treasury.^[45]

The presidential election for the next constitutional term, to end on the 30th of November, 1875, now came again to throw the country into turmoil.^[46] The chief candidates were Juarez, Lerdo de Tejada, and Porfirio Diaz, Juarez had in his behalf, besides his great prestige with the puro' wing of the liberal party, a large following of office-holders. He encountered much opposition, however, on the part of the strict constitutionalists, who honestly believed that successive reëlections were against the spirit of democracy.^[47] Nevertheless, disregarding these considerations, Juarez exerted himself to the utmost to secure his reëlection, which was a grave error on his part. Indeed, had he shown a disinclination to appear again as a candidate, the opposition would have been disarmed, and in all probability the great national party would have insisted on his continuing at the head of affairs another term to complete his work.^[48] Diaz was a military man, and a representative of the popular element. His victories during the war of intervention, his patriotism and honesty of purpose, had made him the favorite of the men who took a more or less active part in the war against the French.^[49] Juarez' opponents used their best endeavors to secure the election of Diaz. ^[50]

Lerdo was acknowledged to be a man of great ability; still, he owed much of his reputation to the name he bore, made popular by his brother Miguel Lerdo, the author of the famous decrees on the property of the clergy, and whose memory was held dear by all liberals. Sebastian Lerdo had won to his support a portion of the official element, by aiding with the whole power of the national administration the choice of certain governors, etc. He had taken advantage of the confidence Juarez had reposed in him, and of the ample powers he had given him, to fill the chief offices of the national and state governments with men friendly to himself, and who must have been antagonistic to Juarez' candidacy.^[51] His supporters were the least numerous, however, and represented no party with a decided political color. For there were among them some well-known liberals; others with conservative proclivities; and not a few were supposed to have no fixed political opinions.^[52] Under the circumstances, Lerdo could no longer be a member of the ministry, and he accordingly resigned in January, 1871, returning to his office of president of the supreme court.^[53]

The election came off at last; but none of the candidates having obtained the requisite majority,^[54] the sixth congress, on the 12th of October, 1871, chose and formally declared Juarez to be the constitutional president for the next term.^[55] He was inducted into office on the 1st of December with the usual ceremonials. In his address to congress he bewailed that the spirit of militarism had come again to disturb the public peace; expressing the hope that the representatives of the people and all good citizens would frown it down.^[56] But long before congress had made this declaration, the supporters of Lerdo and Diaz were aware that their efforts were of no avail. The friends of the latter accused the government of having tampered with the polls, effecting its purpose through the official element.^[57] The supporters of Porfirio Diaz, popularly called Porfiristas, refused to recognize Juarez as lawfully elected, resolving to gain by force of arms the victory they claimed to have been robbed of by the government's influence and money. Revolutionary movements followed one another in quick succession; and finally Diaz, who had been residing at his hacienda of La Noria, after declining to countenance any revolutionary movements, gave way to the suggestions of Ignacio Vallarta, Zamacona, and Marquez de Leon — deputies respectively for Jalisco, Sinaloa, and Puebla — General Ogazon and others,^[58] and now about the 8th of November, 1871, issued from La Noria a manifesto to the Mexican people, setting forth the grounds for the revolution, which was to have for its battle-cry, "Constitucion de '57 y libertad electoral," and for its programme, "Ménos gobierno y mas libertades," and embodying a plan for the reconstruction of the government. The reconstruction was to be effected by a convention composed of three representatives for each state, chosen by the direct votes of the people, which body was to form an organic law, meantime choosing a provisional president, who upon no consideration should be the commander of the revolutionary forces.^[59]

The revolution presented a threatening attitude; but though seconded in many places of more or less importance, it had the germ of self-destruction. Its authors and sponsors called themselves constitutionalists, and yet went to work, by means of violence and bloodshed, to break the constitution they made their battle-cry. Allowing that the reëlection of Juarez had been unjustifiable and illegal, and that his title should have been set aside with all the energy of the nation, why was Lerdo de Tejada, president of the supreme court, and the official designated by the constitution of 1857 as the legal temporary successor, also set aside?^[60] It is surmised that the revolutionists mistrusted him; but if so, they failed to express it in their plan.^[61] The result of it all was that the plan met with but few supporters, the liberal party, as a whole, looking upon it as hostile to the constitution of 1857, as an impending military dictatorship prompted by the spirit of militarism, as Juarez called it, and as exclusive. Had the revolutionary movement been well directed, however, without resorting with such precipitancy to arms, its chances of success might have been greater, for its possibilities were large, whole states having made declarations against the general government.^[62]

But previous to Diaz' open rupture with the government, his partisans had broken out into rebellion in several parts of the republic. A pronunciamiento at Tampico, which had been quelled by General Sóstenes Rocha after a short siege and bloody assault,^[63] was followed by other revolts which were put down only with the spilling of much blood.^[64] A serious attempt to upset the government occurred in the national capital on the 1st of October, when Toledo, Chavarría, Negrete, Mayer, and others seized at three o'clock in the afternoon the Ciudadela and the Belem jail. Juarez, with his characteristic promptness, adopted measures for the suppression of the sedition, and its authors were routed at midnight, after a desperate resistance, by Rocha, under orders from General García, their position being taken by assault.^[65] Colonel Castro, governor of the federal district, perished in an encounter on the road to Popotla with the forces of the guerrilla chief Aureliano Rivera.

Diaz' partisans in Oajaca, before his manifesto was issued, had seized the federal artillery, and a large quantity of other war material. Juarez was well enough prepared to meet the issue of battle,^[66] though it must be confessed that at times the fate of his government depended on the result of a single engagement. He despatched to the front two of his most trusty generals. Alatorre advanced upon Oajaca, which he occupied on the 4th of January, 1872, after a sanguinary encounter between Loaeza's brigade of his command and a body of Diaz' forces under General Luis Mier y Teran at San Mateo Xindihui.^[67] This victory virtually ended the campaign in Oajaca. Félix Diaz lost his life soon after.^[68]

Porfirio Diaz, after organizing the insurrection in the east, marched with about 100 mounted men into the interior, reaching Zacatecas^[69] on the 8th of February, amidst a great ovation. Rocha repaired to the interior, and on the Cerro de la Bufa in Zacatecas signally defeated the main army of Nuevo Leon under Treviño on the 2d of March,^[70] after five hours' fighting, the latter losing all his artillery, a large number of prisoners, together with an immense supply of arms and ammunition. His infantry was lost, and the remnants of the cavalry fled, one portion toward Fresnillo and another toward Jerez.^[71] Rocha's cavalry pursued for some distance. The result of this victory was the reoccupation of Zacatecas by the Juaristas on the 13th of April, Durango having been abandoned by their opponents, and taken by Rocha.

Sinaloa, by her legislature, had in December 1871 declared against the authority of Juarez; and Mazatlan and other important towns of the state were for some time under control of the revolutionists; but after the Juarist successes in Zacatecas and Durango, matters changed again.^[72] Yucatan was once more at this time brought into the vortex of revolution. A pronunciamiento on the 13th of March, 1872, at Valladolid, ignored the authority of Governor Cicerol, which was seized by Mariscal, who with the insurgents operated against both the state and federal authorities.^[73] They were still in arms in July.

While military operations were going on in Zacatecas, Diaz approached Mexico with a column of cavalry,^[74] being deceived with the assurance that a movement in his favor would break out in the city. On becoming convinced that no such assistance could be counted on, he proceeded to Jalisco.^[75] A document purporting to have emanated from the leader of the revolution at Ameca on the 3d of April, and to be a modification of the La Noria plan, was circulated in Mexico; the object being to establish the president of the supreme court as provisional president of the republic; but thinking men looked upon it as apocryphal.^[76] It was no less unconstitutional than the plan of La Noria. Diaz finally sought an asylum with Lozada at Tepic.^[77] After the triumph of La Bufa, the insurrection did not present the same menacing aspect as at the latter part of 1871; but in Chihuahua, Guerrero, the Sierra of Puebla, and indeed everywhere throughout the country, it still possessed elements strong for resistance, which any turn of events might render formidable. The government had gained several victories, but they were not of a decisive character.^[78] Juarez' administration could not feel assured of its safety as to the war as late as July 1872.^[79] The political situation was no more satisfactory. The three political parties, Juaristas, Lerdistas, and Porfiristas, were about equal in number of deputies in the sixth congress, and though Juarez had a majority, his measures might be jeopardized by a temporary alliance of the two opposing parties.^[80] In the early part of June 1872 there was a ministerial crisis, Mariscal. Romero, and Castillo Velasco resigning their portfolios. Juarez then reconstructed his cabinet with the following ministers: José María Lafragua, of relations; Francisco Gomez del Palacio, of government; Joaquin Ruiz, of justice and public instruction; Blas Balcárcel, of fomento; Ignacio Mejía, of war; and Francisco Mejía, of the treasury. Ruiz declined on the 21st of June the position tendered him.^[81]

 

Juarez had been taken seriously ill with an affection of the brain, as it was reported, in October 1870, from which he rallied; shortly after he lost his wife, whom he highly prized.^[82] It seems that Juarez had a presentiment that his own end was near; for in conversing with his friends he expressed regret that it would be out of his power to reconstruct the affairs of his country, wherein, he said, almost every effort hitherto had been directed to destroy. Nevertheless, amidst all the turmoil, he was beginning to see the realization of his heart-felt wish for peace, when death overtook him. On the 18th of July, 1872, he experienced an acute pain in one of his legs, and had some difficulty in breathing; but he thought the trouble would all pass off. He left his office earlier than usual that day, and spent the time with his family, hoping next morning to take some exercise in the forest of Chapultepec.^[83] As night approached the family noticed that he was becoming very ill, and that his heart seemed to be affected. Doctors Barreda, Alvarado, and Lucio were summoned; but though every remedy known to science was applied, the disease rapidly progressed, and shortly after 11 o'clock that night the president expired, surrounded by his children and friends. At dawn the next morning minute-guns announced to the Mexican nation that their chief magistrate was no longer among the living; that the great mind which during so many years and mid so many difficulties and tribulations faithfully guided it toward liberty and progress had ceased its labor, the great heart that so dearly loved Mexico had ceased to beat. The announcement fell upon the people like a calamity. Even party strife for the moment was paralyzed. Juarez remains, while still warm, were taken to the salon de embajadores of the palace;^[84] and the people thronged the hall to view the peaceful features of him who had been in life the object of so much admiration on the part of some, and of so much hatred on the part of others.^[85]

The president of the supreme court, Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, having been summoned to assume the reins of government, qualified at half-past eleven o'clock in the morning of the 19th of July, before the comision permanente of congress, received the condolence of the diplomatic corps^[86] and public officials, and gave directions for the funeral of the late chief magistrate to be in accordance with that exalted position. The remains were embalmed and kept in state till the 22d, when at nine o'clock in the morning they were placed in a zinc coffin, which in its turn was enclosed in a mahogany case, garnished with two sprigs of laurel and olive, and bearing the initials B. J. A magnificent hearse, drawn by six horses, which were kept in hand by six lackeys, conveyed the body to the San Fernando cemetery, to be interred in the family tomb.^[87] In an angle of the garden in the plazuela de San Fernando had been raised a monument in the style of the Greek parthenon. The coffin was laid on a large urn, covered with laurel leaves made of gold and evergreens; in the upper triangle were seen alpha and omega, symbolizing the beginning and end of things, and on the top of the small temple was a bust of Juarez.^[88] The standard-bearer of the Batallon de Supremos Poderes, holding in his hand the national flag draped in mourning, took a position in front of the monument surrounded by a guard of honor. After the requisite ceremonies, the body was consigned to the tomb, and at a signal from the towers of San Fernando, the battery of the palace officially announced that the grave already enclosed the mortal remains of the great leader of reform and independence.^[89] Honors to the memory of Juarez were afterward paid by several state and municipal governments, and in several foreign countries, in various ways.^[90] The national congress in due time took into consideration the form of posthumous honors to the late statesman, including substantial provision for his family. Several ways were proposed; and finally a resolution was adopted, on the 18th of April, 1873, giving, among other things, monuments to himself and wife, and pensions to their children.^[91] On the 7th of May, 1875, the remains of Juarez and his wife were exhumed from the family vault and transferred to the provisional niche which was to hold them till the monument then being prepared in the San Fernando cemetery should be finished. The final exhumation, with appropriate ceremonies, took place on the 18th of July, 1880.^[92] Juarez left property valued at $138,000,^[93] and three books in his own handwriting, namely, a compilation of maxims from Tacitus,^[94] an account of his expenditures during his peregrinations, and sketches of the more prominent men with whom he had relations during his public life.

 

Juarez with his death bequeathed to his country the boon of peace. Opponents in arms laid them down, and placed themselves under the constitutional flag. He had ever an unfaltering faith in his mission. Old traditions he ignored; petty wrangles and temporizing policies he despised. Heeding only the dictates of duty, he opposed an iron will to the torrent of personal ambitions and party strife, to the wicked envy of a triumphant reaction, as well as of a foreign invasion. He saved the constitution of 1857 by taking into his hands the reins of government at the time that the allied clergy and army were endeavoring to destroy it. Without him the liberal party would have found itself without a leader, or even a cause to fight for. What would have been the fate of the republic, we might ask, if Juarez,^[95] the chief magistrate, without soldiers or resources, had faltered? Who would have taken up the struggle had he abandoned it? Indeed, in vain may we search history for a more wonderful example of human greatness and success — a poor, ignorant Indian boy, emerging from the wild mountains of Oajaca to link his name to some of the most radical reforms the American continent has ever witnessed.

 

 

1. He defeated the insurrectionists at Maxcanú Jan. 31, 1868, the principal leaders being killed. Battles were fought at Uman and other places. These victories were followed up by the occupation of Mérida and Sisal. Many of the chief insurgents were captured. Early in March the insurrection was at an end, and the troops left the peninsula in May, the prisoners with few exceptions having been pardoned. El Constitucional, Jan. 2-25 passim, Feb. 7-29 passim, March 6, 19, 21, May 4, June 3, 1868; Diario Oficial, Feb. 14, 15, 22, 27, March 4, Aug. 20, 22, 1868; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 225-6; Tovar, Hist. Parl., ii. 5, 17, 383-4; La Estrella de Occid., March 20, Apr. 3, 1868.
2. The cost was computed at about $114,000. Méx., Mem. Hacienda, 1870, 767; Méx., Iniciativus, etc., 1869, 4
3. It was merely local there, against Gov. Diego Alvarez, and ended with the surrender of the chief Jimenez with his forces early in April. Diario Oficial, Apr. 12, 1868.
4. Details of the actions which never assumed the proportions of battles, and of the defeats of the insurgent leaders, may be found in El Constitucional, April 13 to June 30, 1968; Diario Oficial, April 12, 19, 30, May 17, July 14, Aug. 23, Sept. 26, 1868. Miguel Negrete was a deserter from the republican service during the imperial war, and went abroad; he afterward tendered his services to Maximilian, who gave him the office of comandante general of Vera Cruz. On the downfall of the empire he became the leader of a gang nicknamed Los Plateados. Aureliano Rivera was a general of brigade of the republic, and for his rebellion was dropped from the rolls of the army. Boletin Rep., June 28, 1867; La Estrella de Occid., June 28, 1867, July 3, 1868. Congress on the Sth of May suspended certain articles of the constitution for conspiracy offences, and they remained so suspended till Dec. 3!, 1868. El Derecho, iii. 441-2; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 319-20, 511.
5. Details on Apache depredations are given in Hist. North Vex. States, ii., this series.
6. There were many who considered themselves entitled to the portfolios of government and treasury left vacant by Iglesias.
7. The supreme court, whose president he was, for a while refused to allow him to serve in the cabinet; it finally consented, but not for a prolonged service. El Constitucional, June 7, 1868. Lerdo's enemies called him a jesuit. Gen. Plácido Vega, in a letter to Gov. Pesqueira early in 1967, warned him against Lerdo, who was always intriguing to make himself president. He would, he said, ally himself with the moderados to attain his end. Vega Doc., iii. 427-8.
8. El Constitucional, Jan. 17, 30, 31, Feb. 3, June 19, 1868; Diario Ofic., June 16, 18, 1868; Baz, Vida de Juarez, 302; Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 222; ii. 508, 517, 329; ii. 9, 31-3, 43; El Defensor de la Reforma, of Zac., Jan.-Dec. 1868; Clarke's U. S. and Mex., MS., 3.
9. El Constitucional, Nov. 4, 25, 1867; Diario Ofic., Nov. 5, 1867; La Sociedad, Oct. 22, 25, 30, 1967.
10. 'Tomando el gobierno parte activa en las elecciones de diputados, goberna dores, y aun magistrados de la suprema corte.' Riva Palacio, Hist. Adm. Lerdo, 27.
11. Agriculture was declining from heavy taxes; stagnation in trade prevailed; money was scarce; and the public roads were in bad condition.
12. Anza's course was approved. Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7; iii. 148-52; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., X. 4-5.
13. They were not tried. The order was issued July 18, 1868. Diario Ofic., July 21, 1868; Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 93, 100, 106-7, 120.
14. In Jalpan Marquez and Santa Anna were proclaimed in May. The latter carried on his intrigues from Habana, and had agents in Mexico. The clergy threatened with excommunication all who claimed damages for losses during the foreign intervention. Id., ii. 85; El Constitucional, Jan. 25, Apr. 23, May 24, 1868.
15. The assassination, Aug. 18, 1868, of Gen. Patoni, said to have been by officers of the 1st brigade of the 4th division — Corona's command — was a scandalous one. The supposed chief instigator, Gen. Benigno Canto, was finally brought to trial, and sentenced, on the 21st of Feb., 1873, to ten years' imprisonment. He died at Durango in April of the same year. The operations of the kidnappers caused much terror, and business was paralyzed. Diario Ofic., Aug. 24, 1868, Nov. 5, 1869; Monitor Rep., June 23, 26, 1872; El Federal, Feb. 25, March 7, 1873; La Estrella de Occid., Sept. 11, Oct. 2, 1868; La Gaceta de Policia, Oct. 1868 to May 1869; Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 682. Gen. Plácido Vega, on the 14th of Oct., 1868, wrote several members of congress that he had a narrow escape from a fate similar to Patoni's. Vega, Doc., iii. 672-3.
16. It was formed with the districts of Cuernavaca, Yautepec, Cuautla de Morelos, Jonacatepec, and Tetecala, whose respective chief towns bear the same names. Its area is 4,600 square kilometers. Morelos, Exped. sobre, 134; Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 95, 152, 218, 310, 489; ii. 530-3; iii. 91-1107 passim; iv. 102, 140, 160, 170, 180; Diario Debates, 8° Cong., i. 103.
17. Diario Ofic., Apr. 20, 1869; El Monitor, Apr. 28, 1969. The state constitution was adopted on the 28th of July, 1870, and was considerably amended on the 3d of Dec., 1878. Morelos, Constitucion Polit., 1-37.
18. In 1874 it was about 150,300. García Cubas, Atlas Metód., 48. The chief sources of wealth were agriculture and the manufacture of flour and excellent sugar and rum. Hermosa, Compend. Geog., 138-40.
19. Gen. Doria was made the provisional governor. El Monitor, Jan. 21, 22, 1869; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., X. 519-18; La Regeneracion de Sin., Feb. 10, 13, 1869. The petition for its creation was presented by Deputy Antonio Tagle, and bore the signatures of a number of deputations and upwards of 60 representatives. Petitions to the same effect also came from municipalities and private citizens. Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 74-616 passim; ii. 235-533 passim; iii. 32-1105 passim.
20. The state had the following districts: Atotonilco el Grande, Actopan, Apam, Jacala, Huichapan, Huejutla, Metztitlan, Pachuca, Tulancingo, Tula, Ixmiquilpan, Zacualtipau, and Zimapan, whose respective chief towns had the same names. Its area was 21,130 square kilometers. García Cubas, Atlas Metód., 46; Hermosa, Compend. Geog., 119.
21. He was enthusiastically received. Diario Ofic., June 8, 1869; El Monitor, May 14, 20, 27, 30, June 9, 1869. Diario Debates, 5° Cong., i. 187.
22. The boundaries became then: on the north, Hidalgo; on the east, Tlascala; on the south-east, Morelos; on the south, Guerrero; and on the west, Michoacan. An attempt was made in 1868 to form with the towns of the valley a state to be named Estado del Valle, but no action seems to have been taken. Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 100, 111, 168-552 passim; ii. 5, 319, 359. The 15 districts in which the state was divided are Jilotepec, Tezcuco, Chalco, Otumba, Tlalnepantla, Cuautitlan, Zumpango, Toluca, Tenango, Lerma, Tenancingo, Ixtlahuaca, Villa del Valle, Zoltepec, and Tejupilco. Their respective chief towns bear the same names. Hermosa, Comp. Geog., 128, 130.
23. Its limits now extend to Zacoalco on the north; Los Remedios on the west; Tlalpam on the south; and El Peñon Viejo on the east. Id., 51, 208; Méx., Mem. Gobern., 1871, 16-17, annex no. 14, 89-90.
24. Ceballos was subjected to trial by order of the government, though the legislature of Yucatan had decreed him a vote of thanks for suppressing the sedition. El Monitor, Feb. 7, 12, 16, March 24, 25, May 22, June 9, 18(39; Diario Ofic., March 9, April 15, 22, 1869; El Derecho, ii. 227, 247-8, 290, 307.
25. They were defeated at the hacienda of Katbé In June a force of 4,000 Indians was concentrated at Tihosuco. On the 7th of July they burned Yaxcabá. The state government had but few serviceable arms; but in Sept. the national executive contributed troops and money. Diario Ofic., March 27, Aug. 7, Oct. 2, 1869; El Monitor, July 9, 1869; Diario Debates, 5° Cong., i. 46.
26. There were in the state 1,145 haciendas, 363 ranchos, 831 sitios and parages, 117,668 head of cattle, 16,251 horses, etc.; 96 estates had been destroyed since 1862, and 39 new ones made. The estimated value of agricultural property was $1,568,717. Yuc. Exped. Visita Ofic., 5, 6, 15-17, 27.
27. In the latter part of 1871 some chiefs were murdered, being suspected by their people of a wish to tender their submission to the government. El Monitor Rep., Jan. 7, 10, 1872.
28. One of the many invasions was that of the Kickapoos in 1869, when the Posa rancho was assaulted by them. Méx., Informe Comis. Pesquis., 1874, 52-61, and ap. xxii.-xxvi., xlviii.-ix.; Mex., Rept Mex. Border Comm., 307-18; Diario Ofic., March 20, 1969.
29. Two of their chiefs were captured and shot. About 7,000 Indians were dispersed on the 7th of July, 1869, by 350 government troops. The rebels were again defeated with heavy loss, at Puntehuitz, Nov. 13, 1869. El Derecho, iii. 111-12; Diario Ofic., Dec. 10, 1569; El Monitor, Aug. 14, 1869; El Occidental, Aug. 4, 11, 25, Sept. 1, 29, Oct. 20, 27, 1869.
30. Six hundred muskets and $3,000 monthly to be exclusively used for defence against the Indians. II., Oct. 30, 1999; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 743; La Estrella de Occid., Dec. 24, 1869.
31. Forty-eight officers of all ranks and 330 rank and file were taken prisoners; a large quantity of arms and other war material fell into the victors' hands. El Monitor, Feb. 5-9, 21, 23, 24, 1869. Several of the insurgent officers were executed, one of them being Gen. Francisco Lujan. Diario Ofic., March 10, 1869; La Estrella de Occid., April 2, 16, May 7, 1869.
32. Details of the operations appear in Diario Ofic., March 24, 31, Apr. 14 to Dec. 18, 1869, passim; El Derecho, iii. 141, 157, 173; Diario Debates, 5° Cong., i. 388-918 passim; Zac., Mem. del Est., 1-72 passim; Méx., Mem., Hacienda, 187, 993-4; El Monitor, El Occidental, La Estrella de Occid., El Def. de Ref., and other journals, in almost every issue.
33. Gov. Escandon, the legislature, and other functionaries of San Luis Potosí were arrested, and Aguirre was proclaimed governor. Diario Ofic., Dec. 28, 1869, Jan. 1, March 30, 1870; El Monitor, Dec. 21, 1869; La Estrella de Occid., Feb. 18, March 4, 1870; Méx., Mem. Gobern., 1871, 4, and annex no. 2, p. 43-4; V. Cruz, Mem., 1871, 19-20. Marquez de Leon attributes the revolution to Juarez' attempts to retain power, and to the cruelties of government officers in that year, which had been unparalleled. The murders in Yucatan by Ceballos, in Sinaloa by Parras, and the executions at Atexcal had been the work of savages rather than of civilized authorities. Public opinion condemned them, but Juarez offered no redress, preferring to play the part of dictator. In San Luis Potosí, Sóstenes Escandon was chosen governor in spite of Juarez. Mein. Póst., MS., 325-34.
34. He was authorized to muster into service 4,000 men of the national guard of the states. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 779-83, xi. 9-11; Diario Debates, 5° Cong., i. 390, 500-8, 759-884 passim; Boletin Ofic. Estad. Sin., Jan. 18, 1870; Diario Ofic., Jan. 13, 18, 1870; Méx., Mem. Hacienda, 1870, 882-3.
35. From which they were released on the 26th of March. El Derecho, iv. 289.
36. This general had routed Toledo at El Tejon in January.
37. They lost all their artillery — about 26 pieces a large quantity of other arms, 800 killed and wounded, and many officers and upwards of 1,000 rank and file were taken prisoners. The rest of their force, which had been of about 5,000 on going into battle, became dispersed. García de la Cadena, Martinez, Huerta, and Toledo fled. Diario Ofic., March 5, Apr. 6, 1870; El Derecho, iv. 183; Marquez de Leon, Mem. Póst., MS., 333-7; La Estrella de Occid., Apr. 1, 8, 1870; Cos, Estadíst. Silao, in Méx., Soc. Geog. Boletin, 2a Ep., iv. 748; Buz, Vila de Juarez, 303–3.
38. Diario Ofic., Apr. 2, 5, 10, etc., 1870; La Estrella de Occid., Apr. 22, 1870; Periód. Ofic., of Zac., 1870-4.
39. Some of the governors were given extraordinary powers where needed to restore peace. Guer., Varias Ley., Decree 58. Ex-gen. Gutierrez was court-martialed and shot for having belonged to a 'banda de foragidos'. El Monitor, Feb. 16, 1360; Boletin Ofic. Estad. Sin., Apr. 18, 1870. The government is accused of using arbitrary measures to uphold its authority. The Diario Ofic, throughout the year is full of details on the political disturbances. The same may be said of El Occidental, El Monitor Rep., etc. Riva Palacio, Mem. á la Legisl. de Méx., 9, and Diario Debates, 5° Cong., i. 882, 887-8, also give information.
40. The state of Puebla, by its legislature and executive, had, as early as the 16th of July, 1870, restored the rights of citizens of the state to those who served under the intervention or the empire, excepting from the privileges of the law those persons who held the offices of secretary or under-secretary of state, and those who acted as members of courts-martial, or who, while serving their country, deserted to the enemy. Puebla, Var. Ley., no. 41.
41. The executive wanted also to be excepted the so-called ministers who countersigned Maximilian's decree of Oct. 3, 1865, and the leaders of insurrections and mutinies that had occurred from Aug. 1867 to the date of the law, but congress rejected the proposition. The benefits of the amnesty were also allowed to those among the excepted whose fate had been defined by the executive, and it might be extended to persons comprised in the second exception whenever the executive deemed it expedient. Prosecutions already instituted were to be discontinued, and fines remitted. Sequestrated or confiscated property, not yet sold, was to be restored, in the condition it might then be, to the parties interested. The amnesty did not exempt from responsibility for property of the government or private parties illegally seized; nor did it imply restoration of rank, decorations, offices, honors, pay, pensions, montepío, etc. Diario Debates, 5° Cong., iii. 213-18; Diario Ofic., Oct. 16, 1870. Marquez de Leon claims some credit for this enactment. Mem. Póst., MS., 342-4.
42. Zamacona, Islas, Prieto, Ávila, and Orozco. El Siglo, Oct. 23, 1870.
43. Diario Ofic., July 12, 13, 1870. Lerdo was accused of favoring Negrete's execution out of personal hostility. El Monitor Rep., July 13-15, 1870.
44. He published a card expressing his gratitude to the people who had manifested so much interest on his behalf. Id., Oct. 16, 1870; La Estrella de Occid., Dec. 2, 1870.
45. A sum exceeding $60,000. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 683.
46. Congress adopted, April 22, 1871, an amendment to the electoral law of 1837, prescribing that, in the event of no presidential candidate obtaining the requisite constitutional majority, it should choose one of the two most favored candidates, voting not by deputations, but by individual members. This was looked on by some as contrary to the true spirit of the institutions which called for equal representation, in such cases, of the 'entidades federativas.' Mix., Diario Ofic., Apr. 23, 1871. Another amendment, May 8th, had for its object to insure greater freedom of election. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., xi. 495-9. This last law was repealed Oct. 13, 1873. Diario Debates, 7° Cong., i. 1269.
47. They were considered by many thinking men as a source of danger, even though the reëlected president should be a man of acknowledged virtues, 'hubiera sido la encarnacion de la reforma, y se llamara Benito Juarez.' Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerilo, 28.
48. It has been alleged in support of his course that he was filled with the idea that it was his duty not to leave unfinished the task of reconstruction and reform. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 683-4; La Paz, Jan.-June 1871.
49. They formed a party of action, whose ranks had been greatly swelled with men discontented with the government on account of Lerdo's policy. Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 28–9; El Mensajero, Jan.-July 1871.
50. Juarez having been taken ill in Oct. 1870, so that his life was despaired of, his friends were disposed to support Diaz; but he recovered and no arrangement was made. Marquez de Leon asserts that he worked for Diaz in Sinaloa and elsewhere, and that through the imprudence of Benitez, Diaz' chief supporter, some of his most prominent political friends — Vallarta, Ogazon, Montes, Leon Guzman, Zamacona, and others — became alienated. This result was also brought about by squabbles between Lerdo and others, of which Juarez took advantage to win them over to his side. Mem. Póst., MS., 73, 337-47; Méx., Diario Ofic., Feb. 19, 20, 1871; El Monitor Rep., Jan. 6, 1871.
51. Even those who were opposed to Juarez' reëlection looked with displeasure on Lerdo's crooked conduct. He was also accused of unconstitutional acts. Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 29–39, 41-2; El Monitor Rep., Nov. 26, 23, Dec. 9, 28, 1870, Feb. 9, March 21, 1871.
52. The conservatives divided their suffrages between Juarez and Lerdo. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 304. La Paz, Jan.-June 1871, supported Juarez; whereas El Correo del Com., El Federalista, and El Imparcial advocated Lerdo's election.
53. The cabinet after this was formed of personal supporters of Juarez, José M. Castillo Velasco becoming the minister of government. El Jonitor Rep., Jan. 11, 18, 1871.
54. Juarez had 5,837 electoral votes; Lerdo, 2,874; Diaz, 3,555. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 306.
55. Dec. 1, 1971, to Nov. 30, 1975, He was so declared under the electoral law of 1857, and the amendments of Apr. 22 and May 8, 1971. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., xi. 581; Diario, Debates, 6° Cong., i. 187, 218, 230, 271-3); Méx., Diario Ofic., June 27, 29, July 4, 8, ll, Oct. 7, 13, 14, 17, 18, 1871; El Monitor, Oct. 14, Nov. 1, Dec. 2, 1871; Boletin Ofic. Est. Sin., Oct. 31, 1871; El Provenir Nic., Oct. 1871.
56. The president of the chamber promised the coöperation of his colleagues. Diario Debates, 6° Cong., i. 627-9.
57. Marquez de Leon says that false credentials were obtained by some deputies; that a shameless disrespect for law prevailed at the elections; 'there were towns of only 2.000 inhabitants where 2,303 votes appeared as cast; the government's partisans claiming a majority where Juarez had not had a single vote.' Mem. Póst., MS., 317-8. Diaz himself says: 'It was clearly seen that by official instructions rather than by the wish of the people votes in favor of Juarez had been polled in quantities;' and it has been asserted — recent party animosities have not permitted to clear up this matter — that in counting the votes 'hubo suplantacion.' Datos Biog., MS., 357-8.
58. "Cediendo el Gen. Diaz á lo que le proponian Vallarta, Ogazon y demás oposicionistas á aquel gobierno, se retiró para Oaxaca con el propósito de iniciar y encabezar la revolucion.' Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 359.
59. The other bases of reconstruction were the following: The election of president of the republic to be direct by individual vote, excluding from candidacy any citizen who during one year preceding the date of election had, if even for one day, held any authority or office whose functions extended over the whole national territory. Congress was to exercise electoral powers only in economic matters, and never in designating high public functionaries. The appointments of secretaries of state, or other officials having a yearly salary of $3,000 or upwards, must be submitted for confirmation to congress. The Mexican union must guarantee to ayuntamientos rights and means of their own to secure their independence and freedom of action; trial by jury to be established; the odious excise tax to be abolished; and the regulations of custom-houses to be amended. Diario Ofic., Nov. 13, 1871; Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 30; Caballero, Hist. Alm., 57-9; El Monitor, Nov. 14, 1871.
60. Art. 79th of the constitution says: "During a temporary vacancy of the presidential office, and during an absolute one till the newly elected shall present himself, the executive authority is to be exercised by the president of the supreme court of justice.' Méx., Ley. Fund, 369.
61. Marquez de Leon, who must be well informed on the events of this period as well as on the motives of the men, says: While the capture of Saltillo by Treviño was being glorified, the press was engaged in discussing the 'abominable plan de la Noria,' by which Gen. Diaz, influenced by Lic. Justo Benitez, ignored the president of the supreme court. . . . The ill-advised plan was badly received; public opinion became lukewarm. The plan was a mere proclamation of the chief, subscribed by himself alone. In this he had 'desilusionado á la generalidad.' Mem. Póst., MS., 358-9; El Monitor, Jan. 3, 1872. Diaz thus explains the unexpected result: 'Meantime Juarez appointed Lic. Vallarta governor of the state of Jalisco, cajoled some others that he suspected to be compromitted, y la revolucion comenzó á debilitarse mas de lo que debia,' Datos, Biog., MS., 359-60.
62. The party calling itself constitutionalist, born of the opposition to the electoral law of Aug. 14, 1867, lost its prestige, its moral force, with the rude attack made against the constitution by the Plan de la Noria. The revolution was defeated by public opinion rather than by force of arms. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 310.
63. According to Rocha's telegram of June 11th, he had taken the place at point of the bayonet; 'muchos prisioneros; ni un oficial; todos han inuerto en el combate, y son muchos.' Méx., Diario, Ofic., June 11, 1871; Toma de Tampico, 1-29; Diario Debates, 5º Cong., iv. 555; 6° Cong., i. 193; Baz, Vida de Juarez, 305-6.
64. The garrison of Guaymas, on the 1st of Nov., mutinied, killing the officers, and seizing the custom-house, but was soon brought again under subjection. In Nuevo Leon, Gen. Treviño rebelled and invaded Durango. In Sinaloa, Marquez de Leon, Parra, and others made a pronunciamiento on the 13th of Sept. with 300 men, but were defeated on the 21st, at Las Higueras de Culiacan. The official report has it: 'Muchos muertos; nada de prisioneros.' It seems, however, that Parra surrendered, a few days later, with a number of his men. Méx., Diario Ofic., Oct. 4, 9, 25, 26, 1871. Tabasco and Chiapas also had some disturbances.
65. Upwards of 330 prisoners, together with all the artillery and ammunition, fell into Rocha's hands. Méx., Mem., Gobern., 1871, 10, and annex 110. 6, 69-70; El Monitor, Oct. 3, 6, 1871; Méx., Diario Ofic., Oct. 2, 8, 9, 1871. Marquez de Leon says: 'Rocha proved himself an assassin by his massacre of prisoners,' adding that Gen. Guerra, who had charge of the cavalry, was ordered by the minister of war to bring in no prisoners, but kill them all. Mem. Póst., MS., 348-9.
66. Congress, immediately after the inauguration, granted him extraordinary powers to bring about the restoration of peace, which included that of increasing the forces for active service. These powers were continued him on the 20 of Apr., 1872. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., xi. 593-5; Diario Debates, 8 Constit. Leg., i. 191-2, iii. 419; Id., 6° Cong., ii. 9-10.
67. The action took place from the 21st to the 23d of Dec., 1871, the Porfiristas being nearly annihilated, and their general seriously wounded. The remnants of Terán's force, as well as himself, succeeded in reaching Oajaca, where Gen. Félix Diaz commanded, who concluded not to defend the place, on being informed that the forces of both Alatorre and Rocha were approaching it. Mier y Terán, Apuntes Biog., 40–2; El Monitor Rep., Dec. 29, 1871, Jan. 4, 9, 10, 13, 23, 1872.
68. His body was brought to the commandant of Pochutla at 5 a. m. of Jan. 23, 1872. He was slain by a pursuing party from Tehuantepec. Official telegram in El Monitor Rep., Feb. 2, 1572.
69. The place had been taken by the Porfirista chiefs Donato Guerra and Pedro Martinez, Jan. 26th. Id., Feb. 3, 20, 1972; El Federalista, Jan. 24, 1872.
70. According to Marquez de Leon, the Porfirista army was 9,000 strong, of which 3,000 were cavalry armed with repeating rifles. Treviño started with this force toward San Luis Potosí. Rocha was then coming against him from Mexico with 3,500 men, and Corella was moving from San Luis with 1,500 to watch their opponents. Antillon had 3,000 in Guanajuato, offering to join the pronunciados and end the revolution if the president of the supreme court was called to the presidency; but Licenciado Benitez was present and opposed it. There was now a favorable opportunity for the pronunciados to defeat the enemy before he got his forces together; they also had the best of artillery. These advantages were thrown away by Treviño's retreat into a region where, from the nature of the ground, artillery was rendered useless. Rocha came against him with 8,000 men, on the Bufa hill, and routed the Porfirista army. Mem. Póst., MS., 366-7; El Monitor Rep., March 5, 15, 26, 1972; Boletin Ofic. Est. Sin., May 8, 12, July 10, 1872.
71. Guerra was afterward surprised in Laguna de Tahualila, and lost Marquez' and his own cavalry. Marquez de Leon, Mem. Post., 367-8; El Federalista, June 21, 1872; El Monitor Rep., June 7, 1872.
72. They had raised forced loans at Mazatlan to the amount of $250,000 to Jan. 4, 1872. Pesqueira had recovered El Fuerte and Culiacan in Feb. Marquez endeavored to take the latter in May, but met with defeat at Pesqueira's hands. Mazatlan was occupied by Kocha early in May. El Federalista, Feb. 29, March 14, Apr. 16, May 28, 1872; El Monitor Rep., Dec. 7, 1871, Jan. 27, March 20, 24, Apr. 11, 13, 17, May 8, 16, 22, 28, June 19, 22, July 18, 1872; Marquez de Leon, Mem. Post., MS., 361-3, 375-8, 388.
73. The government troops were defeated March 20th, and Gen. Cepeda Peraza was killed; but in April the insurgents abandoned Mėrida, Progreso, and Sisal, which were reoccupied by the government. El Federalista, Apr. 2- 24, May 9, 1872; El Monitor Rep., Apr. 5, June 18, 1872, July 18, 25, 1873; Boletin Ofic. Est. Sin., May 21, 30, 1872.
74. 74 'Con una habilidad sin ejemplo, se presentó á las orillas de la capital.' Baz, Vida de Juarez, 310.
75. Jalisco, like the other states, had been suffering from the effects of seditious movements in various districts. Gov. Vallarta had been granted discretional powers; martial law ruled, and heavy taxes were levied. El Monitor Rep., Jan. 17, 30, March 28, Apr. 27, May 4, 7, July 19, 1872; El Federalista, Feb. 20, 1872; Jalisco, Mem., 1-3, 11-2, doc. no. 5.
76. It was in the form of a circular to the generals supporting Diaz, who were to send it to those serving the government. El Federalista, May 28, 1872.
77. El Monitor Rep., July 7, 1972, on the authority of La Civilizacion of Guadalajara, states that Diaz visited the Seboneco volcano in company with Lozada and Plácido Vega, without attempting to keep himself incognito.
78. Donato Guerra defeated Gov. Terrasas in Chihuahua, and won for himself friends. Diaz with his presence there gave renewed encouragement to his cause. In Guerrero, Jimenez, and in Puebla, Negrete, Lucas, Carrillo, and Mendez kept the government busy and incurring heavy expenses to support its numerous forces. Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 12, 15; Jarquez de Leon, Mem. Póst., MS., 389-83; Diario Ofic., 24, 25, Nov. 28, 30, 1871; El Monitor Rep., Nov. 29, 1871, to July 24, 1872, passim; El Federalista, Jan. 25 to July 13, 1872, passim; Voz de Mej., Jan. 3, 11, 1872; Guer., Mem. Gob., 1872, 4-6, 31-8; Diario Debates, 8 Constitut. Leg.; ii. 95; Méx., Llamamiento, 1-1:2; Méx., Mem. Relaciones, 1883, 49–53, annex no. 3, 89-94.
79. 79 No era por cierto muy halagador el cuadro.' Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 15.
80. 80 Party animosity was exacerbated by the attempt of the Juaristas to throw out several credentials, though they succeeded in only two or three cases.
81. El Federalista, June 11. 14, 1872; El Monitor Rep., June 11, 12, 22, 1872.
82. Jan. 2, 1871. The foreign ministers, as well as all classes of society, manifested their sorrow. She had been a noble matron, who by acts of charity won for herself the esteem of all. Baz, Vida de Juarez, 304. The funeral took place on the 3d, and was largely attended, the representatives of the U. S., Prussia, and Italy being among the cortége. Diario Ofic., Jan. 14, 1871; El Monitor Rep., Jan. 3, 1871; El Occidental, Jan. 31, 1871.
83. It was his custom when he felt unwell to walk there early in the morning, and to rapidly go up the hill so as to bring on a perspiration. This with an early bath usually relieved him.
84. Pursuant to an unrepealed law which brought to mind the practice of the colonial period at the death of a viceroy. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 685.
85. Among the public manifestations of sorrow were particularly noticed those of the French residents, who remembered that his protection had not failed them in times when popular passions in Mexico were violently roused by the acts of their government.
86. Manifestations of sorrow came afterward from the heads of foreign governments having relations with Mexico, among which was an autograph letter from Amadeo of Spain. Méx., Mem. Relaciones, 1873, annex no. 4, 51-S, 11617: El Monitor Rep., Nov. 17, 1872.
87. The pall-bearers were Luis Velazquez, director of the law school, Gen. Alejandro García, comandante-general of Mexico, Manuel P. Izaguirre, the nation's treasurer, and Alfredo Chavero, representing the ayuntamiento of the capital. The late president's aides-de-camp and one infantry company with a band escorted the body. The presidential carriage, draped in black, followed, and after it went those of President Lerdo, secretaries of state, diplomatic corps, deputies, judiciary, and other distinguished persons and corporations. In the cortège were seen journalists, workingmen's associations, alumni of the preparatory, law, and medical schools, physicians, masonic lodges, the Santa Cecilia and Philharmonic societies, and the German club. The army was represented by a military band, the cadets of the military school, bodies from each of the arms, besides a battery of 12 pieces. The procession consisted of nearly 5,000 persons. An immense concourse of people filled the streets, windows, balconies, and house-tops, probably constituting three fourths of the population in the city.
88. The mausoleum was surrounded with colossal tapers, and had inside two magnificent alabaster vases, from which rose the vapors of incense and myrrh.
89. El Monitor Rep., July 20, 21, 24, 1872; Méx., Derecho Intern., 3d pt, 116-17; Baz, Vida de Juarez, 312-15; Chavero, Discurso, 1-20; Romero, Breve Oracion; El Federalista, 1-15.
90. Querétaro declared him a benemérito, and gave his name to the plaza formerly called de la Cruz, also appropriating funds to make it worthy of its new name. Oajaca decreed to purchase the house where Juarez was born, and dedicate him a monument there. In Puebla it was enacted that his name should be inscribed in golden letters in the legislative chamber, and a monument should be raised. El Monitor Rep., Aug. 1, Nov. 14, 1872; El Federalista, May, 22, 1873; Diario Ofic., May 5, 1873. The medical college of Peru, early in 1872, had awarded him a gold medal. El Federalista, March 21, 1872.
91. 1st. Juarez was declared a "benemérito de la patria en grado heróico;' his name was ordered to be inscribed in letters of gold in the chamber of the national congress. 2d. On the 21st of March of each year the national flag was to be hoisted on all public buildings, in commemoration of his birth, and also on the 18th of July at half-mast, as a sign of mourning for his death. 3d. The executive to appropriate from the treasury $50,000 to erect a commemorative monument, with a statue of Juarez thereupon. This monument was to be finished on the 5th of May, 1874. 4th. The executive to apply, out of the treasury, $10,000 for a sepulchre to hold the mortal remains of Juarez and his wife. The work was to be finished on the 18th of July, 1873. 5th. A pension of $3,000 a year granted to each of Juarez' daughters, Soledad, Josefa, and Maria de Jesus, while they remained unmarried, and the same to the minor son, Benito, till he completed his professional studies, or till his 25th year. The same pension to be allowed to each of Juarez' seven children should they ever become poor. The pensions to be paid in monthly instalments of $250, and the executive never to reduce the amounts upon any consideration. 6th. The pension of $3,000 allowed the unmarried daughters to be reduced to $1,500 from the date of marriage. This latter sum to be paid yearly from date of the law to each of the married daughters, and to the son after he completed his 25th year. 7th. The executive was authorized to capitalize each one of these pensions, taking as a basis a period of five years, provided the party interested assented to it. 8th. A prize of $2,000 was to be offered for the best biography of Juarez, the executive to appoint the judges. Diario Debates, 6° Cong., iv. 135-9; Méx., Derecho Intern., 3d pt, 118-19; Boletin Ofic. Est. Sin., May 24, 1873; El Fénix, of Mazatlan, Dec. 13, 1872. Young Benito was in 1877 appointed secretary of the Mexican legation near the government of Italy. La Voz de Méj., Oct. 17, 1877.
92. Méx., Diario Ofic., May 9, 1875; Rivera, Méx. Pintoresco, i. 377-8, gives a view and description of the tomb.
93. Including $17,000 of unpaid salary. This was a moderate fortune as compared with that of some other rulers, when we consider that he had been president about 15 years. El Monitor Rep., Aug. 11, 1872.
94. Another account says it was an autobiography. Id., July 24, 1872.
95. 'El presidente peregrino.' Baz, Vida de Juarez, 316.