ratified by Santa Anna, San Juan de Ulúa was surrendered on April 7th,[1] and the French fleet retired with a number of old cannon as trophies, leaving the task of conciliation to Baron Alley de Cyprès, the new minister, whose tact and discrimination were hardly equal to the occasion. Mexicans sought consolation in abusing a dilatory and inefficient government, and in giving prominence to those who had sustained national honor by a brave though futile resistance. They undoubtedly found a certain relief in considering that France had achieved but a barren triumph; for the loss sustained in trade and influence in Mexico, in outlay for the expedition and injury to her citizens, far outweighed the indemnity obtained.[2]
- ↑ The chamber of deputies approved the treaty by a vote of 17 against 12, and the senate by 12 against 3. A heavy fire occurred at Vera Cruz shortly before, involving the custom-house.
- ↑ A favorable arrangement was effected on behalf of British bondholders. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 624-31; Niles' Reg., lix. 369, lvii. 80. A review of the claims may be consulted in U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 37, Ses. 2, H. Ex., 50, pp. 17-26. A steamer line to England was also projected. Opúsculo de la Verdad, pp. i.-iv., 1-56; Pap. Var., xix. pt iv. 24, and a colony of negroes and others. Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1844-46, 552-4, 577-92. Baudin had been induced on Feb. 17th to open to foreign vessels the upper ports on the gulf, then in the hands of federalists. The blockade was
Mexican vessels and cargoes taken during the blockade and after shall be regarded as lawful prey or not; promises not to hamper the payment of recognized French claims, not included in the $600,000 amount. Signed by Gorostiza, Victoria, and Baudin, at Vera Cruz, March 9, 1839. The ratifications are dated at Mexico March 21st, and at Neuilly July 6th. Text in Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 617-19, 692-3; also in Arrillaga, Recop., 1839, 95-8; Méx., Col. Ley. y Dec., 1840, 376-86. Allusions in Méx., Mem. Rel., 1839, 3; Id., 1840; concerning last payment, in Niles' Reg., lvii. 164, 224. Fully 600,000 francs remained unclaimed for years after to prove the excessiveness of the demand, observe the Mexicans. Cuevas, Espos., 48-9; Payno, Cuentas, Gastos, 923-4. The most exhaustive work on this episode is San Juan de Ulúa, ou Rélation de l'Expédition Française au Mexique, by P. Blanchard and A. Dauzats, with notes by Maissin, published by order of the king. Paris, 1839, 4°, 591 pp., with illustrations, mainly by Blanchard, who, assisting also as interpreter, had additional opportunity for gaining information. He accompanied Baudin's representative to Mexico and other places, and used his pen freely in observations on the scenery, the people, and their institutions, all of which serve to add variety and interest to the narrative, the attractive style of which owes much to the revision of Dauzats. The diplomatic features of the case are given special attention in Méx., Supl. Diario Gob., 342 and 95 pp.; Pap. Var., lxxvii. pts 2, 7, clxxiv. pt 7; Mex. Pamphlets, i. pt 10; with observations in Maillard's Hist. Tex., 132-48; Arrangoiz, Méj., ii. 240-3; Dubois, Mex., 115-18; Domenech, Hist. Mex., ii. 159-61; Girard, Excurs., 10-13, etc.; Larenaudière, Mex. et Guat., 241-52; France, and Mexico, 3-24; Beaumont, Res. Question Mex, 1-41; Escalera y Llana, Mex. Hist. Descript., 55-61.
