concentrating and retrograde movements of the French troops, now going on for some time, had placed the republicans in possession of the greater part of the country, including practically all the region north and west of a line drawn from Tuxpan through San Luis Potosí to Morelia, and south of Cuernavaca. Success had swollen the number of their adherents, even hitherto passive or hostile factions joining for prudential reasons, till every province was overrun by their triumphant bands, hemming in the retiring foreigners, and threatening the neighborhood of the capital. Even stubborn conservatives, therefore, began to look upon the struggle as hopeless. Lares nevertheless prevailed with his views in so far that, as abdication at the present moment might lead to anarchy, it should be deferred till measures could be taken to obtain better security for the interests at stake.
Although this resolution was carried by a bare majority, Maximilian hastened to respond; yet, in order to render the sacrifice of value, he desired the
parture of the French. The committee on the subject, composed of Vidaurri, Fonseca, and Arango, reported that the reasons for abdicating were insufficient, and that Maximilian should be requested to relinquish that idea for the present, Arango explaining that abdication at this time might prove disastrous; it was necessary to inspire confidence by retaining the empire till elements had been collected for combating disorder. The finance representative said that a revenue of fifteen millions could be counted upon, and the greater part of this could be used to raise the army to 30,000 men, not counting the militia. Siliceo had his doubts about obtaining this amount; it was, in any case, insufficient; a levy of troops would not answer; he saw no elements with which to sustain the empire, and Maximilian had no longer influence enough to rally sufficient support. Fearing the turn given to the discussion, Lares interposed by declaring that the question was what to do, not how to do it; the point was not means, but the advisability of present abdication; the nation would not then take back the power bestowed. Mendez and Orozco foresaw a republican triumph, but the abdication should be made with honor, by entering into arrangements to secure the interests at stake. The objection was raised that an arrangement could hardly be effected. By a vote of 10 to 9, it was thereupon resolved that Maximilian should be requested to defer his abdication. Siliceo and Cortés Esparza, former ministers, urged unconditional abdication; another larger party believed that the empire should be sustained under any circumstance; but the majority took the middle course, revealing 'unverschämt ihren nackten Egoismus!' as Basch exclaims with righteous indignation. Erinnerungen, i. 109. Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 689, 693, appears contradictory in his account of the affair. Détroyat, L'Interven., 298, declares that Vidaurri urged immediate abdication; but his vote went with Lares nevertheless.
