shared, nolens volens, the fate of the capital. These and subsequent acts were made to appear as the will of the Mexican people. Only too frequently the oath was taken with apathetic obedience to the authority in control, and liberal journals were filled with notices of forced compliance.[1] Among the notable adherents was Miramon, who had made his way from Matamoros to Mexico through the heart of the constitutionalist country.[2] The Juarez government did its best to counteract imperialist influence, by offers of pensions and offices, which circumstances prevented it from fulfilling; by threats of confiscation and death, which were carried out only in the rare places where it managed to regain a temporary control;[3] and by annulling the acts of the imperial administration, empty declarations which could not be enforced. In the circulars issued to local authorities and foreign powers, the new government was branded as a cloak to cover French designs to transform Mexico into a colony. It was a gross infringement upon national rights, at first attempted under pretence of flimsy claims like Jecker's, and of paltry debts which the republic had offered to pay. The acts of adhesion to the empire were forced and fictitious, and emanated from an insignificant portion of the country; for the republicans held possession of nearly all the territory. The people were stirred against the invaders by enumerations of outrages on
- ↑ Confirmed, indeed, by peremptory orders in Id., i. 222-3, such as holding owners of country estates responsible for their laborers. Periód. Ofic, Aug. 11, 1803. See also Lefévre, Doc. Maximiliano, i. 327, 407-18; Voz Mej., Nov. 10, 1883. Bribes in the shape of offices and pensions were also tendered.
- ↑ In a letter of July 30th to Gen. Forey, he expresses himself in favor of the monarchy, as the only means to save the country. Period. Ofic., Aug. 6, 1863. In Aug. several Juarist chiefs gave in adhesion, as Col Manuel Frieto, Rodriguez, Roldan, Castillo. Forey and others loudly proclaimed that the adhesions flowing in from every place as occupied by French armies were sufficient proof of popular approval of the empire. His letter to Napolean of Sept. 14th. Arrangoiz, Mej., iii. 136.
- ↑ The decrees to this end are given in Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-9, i. 41-3, 46, 93-6; Derecho, Intern. Mex., pt iii. 817-24; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 652-4, 659-65; Diario Deb., 7th cong., i. 258, 268, 290, 376, 428, 456, 489-90, 1271; Méx., Boletin Ley., 1863, 269-70. No officials were permitted to remain in places occupied by the foe. Even indirect favoring of the imperial cause involved the penalties imposed on traitors.
