General Castelnau had arrived at Vera Cruz more than a week previously, and after an unaccountable delay[1] set out for Mexico, passing the imperial cortege at Ayotla, without being allowed to see Maximilian. Bazaine submitted with tolerable good grace to the subordination imposed upon him by this representative of his sovereign. Castelnau displaying laudable tact, no unpleasantness occurred.[2] Joined by Minister Dano, they began actively to prepare the way for the formation of a new government. Nothing could be acomplished with a man of Diaz' stanch loyalty and patriotism; Lerdo de Tejada was supposed to be equally unyielding, and so the choice for presidential candidate finally settled on Ortega. He possessed the advantage of a decided claim to the chief magistracy, which had been set aside on a mere technicality, and was therefore supposed to have left him a strong hold on popular sympathies. Moreover, his active supporters were by no means insignificant, notably along the Texan border, where Matamoros was foremost in his favor.[3] It was believed that many more adherents would join as soon as he could present himself with sufficient strength to face Juarez.
Less clerical than Santa Anna, who held so large a following, he was also less radical than his successful rival, and could not therefore be so obnoxious to conservatives. In his eagerness to obtain French support he had shown a disposition to promote an
- ↑ Attributed to the intrigues of Bazaine. Maximilian sent Capt. Perron, chief of his military cabinet, to receive him; but Castelnau declined an interview.
- ↑ While Bazaine could take no step without consulting the envoy, his power remained otherwise unimpaired, and there was no occasion for him to 'briser son épée,' as the rumor ran. Détroyat, L'Interv., 293. He could have left the command to Douay and departed, if so inclined.
- ↑ Then held by Canales, who was besieged by the Juarist governor Tapia.
prepare letters to Bazaine, arranging for the embarkation of the Austro-Belgian troops, farewell letters to the Iturbide family, promising to recommend them to the new government, orders for taking inventory of effects, and to obtain the concession of the estate Olindo near Cuernavaca for Uraga and other officers. While little came of all this, it shows what decision had been reached in Maximilian's mind. See Basch, Erinn., i. 60, etc.; Kératry, Max., 209-13. The latter is somewhat free in framing words, etc., for the prince. The reception along the route was all that could be desired.
