fostered by the clergy, and manifested partly in flaming circulars against the French and their adherents or tools.[1] It also caused a split among the conservatives into progressionists and retrogressionists, the latter joined by the devout, and by such men as Anievas, assistant government secretary, who now resigned, and later by Estrada,[2] but the former readily winning over a host of republicans, owing to the liberal policy pursued with regard to church affairs, leniency in confiscation, and other matters.
The French policy toward the country had lately assumed a decided tone. The sequestration decrees of Forey, which had created wide-spread dissatisfaction, and induced the Juarists to issue even more severe retaliative decrees, and the clerical tendency of himself, as well as Saligny, which threatened also French interests, were not to the taste of Napoleon. The recall of both reached Mexico in August, tempered, especially in Forey 's case, with a semblance of preferment.[3] The latter was replaced by General
- ↑ The government found it necessary to come forth in a proclamation against the unjust insinuations made regarding its motives. Mex., Boletin Ley., 1863, 419-21. Bazaine was roundly accused of having a personal interest in church property, and it was stated that he had orders to dissolve the regency " unless it obeyed him. This was unlikely, however, for Napoleon would hardly venture to take autocratic measures that would strengthen the Juarez party and rouse the watchful U. S. while undermining the basis for the empire.
- ↑ As an instance of deep religious feeling, Zamacois relates that a circus manager lost a fortune by using a confiscated convent for the performance. 'Ni una sola señora, ni una sola f amilia decente llegó a pisar el circo.' Hist. Mej., xvi. 841. Arrangoiz denies a split. Méj., iii. 177.
- ↑ Forey, now marshal of France, passed with a diplomatic mission through Washington. Frank and unpretending, he possessed a kindness of heart which was strikingly manifested in his treatment of children. His farewell address of Sept. 30th, in Periód. Ofic., Oct. 3, 1863, etc., expressed a hope for the union of parties, which had been his aim. While many conservatives regretted his departure, that of Saligny drew forth numerous though vain remonstrances, as in Lefévre, Doc. Maximillano, i. 329-31. He left Mexico only at the close of Dec, with the young wife there taken. The prospect of a senatorship, held out to him by De Moray, was not fulfilled. Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 136; Cronista, Aug. 28, 1863. Boletin Ofic. (Puebla), Aug. 29, 1863.
judges. The appeal against this act is presented in San Miguel, Expos., 1-32. No substitute was called to fill Labastida's place, which gave further cause for protest; but since both substitutes Were strong churchmen, they were not desirable. Iglesias, Revistas, ii. 185-7, laughs at the illegal regency manœuvred by the French general. It is stated that the substitutes were offered Labastida's seat, but declined. Estrella Occid., Dec. 18, 1863.
