20th of March, in which it was finally resolved to continue the defence, taking advantage of every favorable opportunity for attack, and seek reënforcements from Mexico.[1]
The latter task was intrusted to Marquez, with full power to act as he thought best; and to this end he was appointed lugarteniente, locum tenens, of the emperor.[2] The ministry which had shown so little desire to carry out its promises was to be reconstructed. The loyal and able Vidaurri should formally assume the finance portfolio, together with the presidency, assisted by Iribarren, who was to take charge of the interior and fomento departments. Of the existing ministers, Portilla, Murphy, and Aguirre were confirmed, the latter assuming charge also of Lares' portfolio of justice.[3] At the same time Maximilian
- ↑ In a copy of the original proceedings published by Salm-Salm, it is shown that five projects were submitted: to retreat with artillery and train; to retreat with army alone, spiking the guns and leaving the war material; to continue the defence with the whole army; to send half the force to Mexico for reënforcements wherewith to compel an abandonment of the siege; and last, to let one general as commander-in-chief attack the enemy with all the army, save a small reserve for guarding the enıperor. The latter was Arellano's view, although he also advocated the final plan. There was plenty of ammunition for a considerable time. Mendez refused to express any opinion. Castillo and Mejía favored a defensive attitude for some time, but after an attack by the foe, their repulse should be availed of for gaining an advantage. Vidaurri added that attention should be given to destroy the besieging lines to the west so as to secure the way for a later retreat. These last views were approved by Miramon and Marquez, the latter alluding, like Mejía, also to the need of reënforcements. The emperor now rejoined the council and sided with the latter, whereupon it was resolved to disembarrass the left wing of the Cerro de la Campana, to direct the mounted guerrillas against the rear of the enemy, to consider the question of reënforcements and funds. Diary, i. 80–7. Arellano, 80-97, who acted also as secretary to the council, gives the report less fully. He states that Marquez prevailed upon Maximilian to let him go to Mexico. Marquez claims that his proposed retreat was a strategic movement to draw the foe from an advantageous position to a field where the imperialists with increased force might have crushed them. Refut., 81. Maximilian speculated afterward that, victory achieved with the aid of reënforcements from Mexico, he would establish the government in the centre of the country, evidently Guanajuato, and there summon the projected congress. 'Nach Nueva Leon...eine Stadt,' writes Basch, ii. 73, somewhat confusingly — meaning no doubt Leon, not the capital of Nuevo Leon, though he repeats the latter form.
- ↑ Marquez gives a copy of the commission, 'investido de plenos poderes segun las órdenes verbales que ha recibido.' Refut., 200.
- ↑ Navarro also remained as head of the household, but only for a while, Salm-Salm obtaining this office. See p. 226 for composition of ministry hitherto. Basch, Erinnerungen, ii. 53-4. Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 278, 284, defends the dismissed members, and asks if Vidaurri achieved anything more
