insisted on the convention being ratified, but to be again repulsed; and then the American minister retired the proposals he had made, which would have facilitated the arrangement of the foreign demands.[1] The persistence of congress brought on a ministerial crisis early in December, which the president could not avert, though he tried to retain Zaragoza, Balcárcel, and Gonzalez Echeverría, the last named having had the treasury in his charge only a few days. Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, who had caused the crisis, was called on to form a cabinet, but declined, not being in accord with the president's policy.
The threatening attitude of foreign powers being now certain, several reactionary chiefs presented themselves to the government and tendered their services. Among them were Negrete, Velez, Argüellez, and others.[2] After a few days' reflection, Manuel Doblado, from whose patriotism and ability the country had great expectations, accepted the charge of relations, with the presidency of the cabinet.[3] There being a perfect accord of views between the president
- ↑ He made, however, on the 11th of Dec., two conventions, one being postal, and the other for the extradition of criminals, excluding from surrender persons accused of political offences, and slaves. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., vi. 666; Derecho Intern. Mex., 1st pt, 277-83.
- ↑ Zuloaga still claimed the presidency, had a cabinet, appointed governors, and wanted to collect taxes. Le Trait d'Union, Dec. 9, 1861; Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 626.
- ↑ The ministry was constituted as follows: Doblado, minister of relations and of government — this last again suppressed by decree of Dec. 16th; Ramon I. Alcaraz, oficial mayor, of justice pro tem. to Dec. 25th, when Jesus Terán became the minister; Echeverría, of hacienda; Zaragoza, of war till Dec. 22d, when succeeded by Pedro Hinojosa; Doblado, of fomento till the 16th of December, when the department was merged in that of justice. Le Trait d'Union, Dec. 23, 27, 1861; Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., vi. 672; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, v. 470-2.
had offered Mexico pecuniary means to cover during some years not only the obligations assumed in the British treaty, but all other international ones. The minister went into other details; but it all availed nothing; the clause of intervention in the custom-houses, without which guarantee the treaty would not have been entered into by England, was unacceptable to the representatives. The consequences were fatal. Zamacona resigned his position. His representation to congress and letters of resignation are given in full in Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xv. 1043-59; Ferrer, Cuest. de Mex., 637-9. All further proceedings of conciliation were in vain; the British and French ministers left Mexico, the subjects of their nations as well as the Spaniards being left under the protection of the Prussian minister.
