So passed the twelvemonth, amidst alternate hopes and fears. French successes in Oajaca and in the northern provinces rendered the outlook in the spring so glowing that Bazaine spoke as if the war was practically over. With Maximilian the illusion seemed to be impressed by the enthusiastic reception accorded him during a tour from April into June eastward, through Tlascala and Puebla to Jalapa,[1] districts blessed for a long time with comparative peace, and therefore more ready to yield to exhilarating intercourse with rare royalty. Even greater demonstrations were evoked by the later visit of Charlotte through Vera Cruz to Yucatan,[2] as might be expected from Mexican gallantry. France caught the infection, and subscribed eagerly for the new Mexican loan issued in April, under the guarantee implied by Rouher's utterance that the French army should not return till it had triumphantly accomplished its task.[3] This was supported by a letter from Napoleon to Bazaine, authorizing him to retain all his troops, contrary to the agreement formed at Miramare, and to the statements made before French representatives.[4]
These hopes and assurances were to be shaken by the decisive federal victories in the north, which left the United States at liberty to look freely into French aims and operations in Mexico, and to speculate upon the spirit of the Monroe doctrine, impelled by a natural sympathy for the republican cause, and
- ↑ He lingered in the Orizaba district, and reached Jalapa on May 25th, exhibiting himself freely and frequently in a ranchero dress, to which staid men naturally objected. The demonstration, on returning to Mexico, is said, however, to have come from official sources rather than from the people. 'Lo manifestó (Charlotte) con gran sentimiento en carta á una Señora de Bruselas,' says Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 316. Full reports of the trip may be found in Diario Imp., April 19, 1865, and following numbers. Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 639-47, giving special attention to ceremonies in Vera Cruz, while in Max., Alocuciones, 86, etc., are given speeches for the occasion. Maximilian took care to have the enthusiasm reported abroad.
- ↑ In Nov. and Dec, as described in Diario Imp., Nov. 6, 1865, etc. Special accounts of local demonstrations are given in such brochures as Carlota, En Vera Cruz, 1-28.
- ↑ 'Ne doit revenir.' Session of French chambers, April 10, 1865.
- ↑ Lefèvre, Doc. Maximiliano, ii. 129 et seq.
