at first to strengthen Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulúa; but as science and experience alike had taught that Ulúa could not resist a serious attack, and Vera Cruz was nothing without the fortress, it was resolved to remove the artillery from the castle before the Spanish fleet should arrive, and it was partly done.[1]
Juarez succeeded in having a convention concluded on the 21st of November, between his minister of foreign affairs and Sir Charles L. Wyke, arranging every question at issue between the two nations, chiefly that which had resulted from the law for the suspension of payments.[2] Nothing came of this important agreement, however, for though it satisfied just demands, and involved no heavy sacrifices, congress disapproved it, and it fell to the ground, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Minister Zamacona with the president's approval.[3] President Juarez
- ↑ Fifty brass pieces were taken away and utilized elsewhere. There were left, however, 196 pieces, and a large supply of other war material. Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xv. 824-5; Córtes, Diario Senado, ii. ap. no. 85, 55-6; Id., Congreso, vi. ap. i. no. 138, 55.
- ↑ Previous conventions were declared to be in force, and new debts not included in them were recognized in the present one. Great Britain was authorized to have inspectors in the maritime custom-houses, and British consuls and the agents of the creditors were given the right of examining the books of those custom-houses. Efforts were made to induce Monsieur de Saligny to enter into similar arrangements, but he declined all proposals, and insisted on maintaining the interruption of diplomatic relations and quitting the republic. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 625; Córtes, Diario Senado, ii. ap. no. 85, 19-22; Córtes, Diario Cong., vi, ap. i. no. 133, 19-23.
- ↑ Zamacona represented to the chamber on the 25th of Nov. that in entering upon that arrangement the administration had obeyed the popular will, which had clamored for 'Transaccion con la Inglaterra y con la Francia.' Under it, the British minister, instead of making preparations for departure, would have tendered Mexico the moral support of his country in her progressive policy; and whatever influence that might have on the future action of France and Spain, Mexico would appear before the world giving her hand to her two natural allies, England and the U. S., the latter of whom
Mexico. Some thought it was merely financial; others that it was political; and there were also a few who believed it intended to carry out the late British chargé's plan of a compromise between the contending parties. The fact was, that the powers had concluded, in the event of an impossibility arising from anarchy, to obtain redress by the mere occupation of the coast, that the forces might also occupy even the capital; and should the Mexicans of their own volition call for a European protectorate to eradicate tyranny, or to erect a stable government, France, England, and Spain would jointly coöperate to bring about their wishes. On the other hand, Juarez had been assured by President Lincoln that on the landing of European soldiers on Mexican territory the U. S. government would render Mexico such aid as it could afford.
