This condition of affairs prompted France to send out another contingent of 3,000 men. After the second interview of the plenipotentiaries, Jurien clearly perceived the difference in their views, which was quite marked.[1]
On Prim's arrival at Vera Cruz a manifesto, said to have been prepared by him beforehand, was issued on the 10th of January by the five plenipotentiaries. This document, though containing some untruths, was more moderate and decorous in its tone than Gasset's proclamation had been; but it could not do away with the uncertainty as to the real intentions of the powers in combining their action in Mexican affairs. According to it, intervention in Mexican politics and administration was not thought of.[2] So said Saligny and Jurien, sent out by their wily master to place an Austrian prince on a Mexican throne; so said the Spanish ambassador, who well knew Napoleon's plan and was resolved to thwart it.[3] As for the English, all they wanted was a commercial and religious intervention; that is to say, to secure the payment of English claims through their inspectors of the customhouses; to reduce the import duties; and to favor the
- ↑ Sérieux germes de dissentiment existaient entre elles.' Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 99-101; Buenrostro, Hist. Prim. y Seg. Cong., nos 56-9, 326-51.
- ↑ In the first paragraph the Mexicans are assured that the expedition had been made indispensable to enforce the fulfilment of treaties constantly violated, and to insure protection to the subjects of the allied nations. They are next told that persons representing to them that behind just claims 'se ocultan proyectos de conquista, de restauracion, ó de intervencion en vuestra política y vuestra administracion, os engañan.' They further say that the allied nations had a higher purpose, more general and useful views, that of extending a friendly hand to a people who, though rich in the gifts of providence, were consuming their strength and exhausting their vitality by civil wars and perpetual convulsions. A vosotros, exclusivamente á vosotros, sin ninguna intervencion extranjera, os importa constituiros de una manera sólida y durable.' The Mcxican people are asked to have faith in the disinterested intentions of the allies, to distrust the restless and evil-minded, and to let reason come to the front. Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 18-19; Lefévr., Doc. Maximiliano, i. 136-9; Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 63-4; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, v. 492; Trait d'Union, Jan. 18, 1862.
- ↑ Prim well knew that Spain wanted to place a Spanish princess on this throne, 'para lo cual llevaba instrucciones secretas.' Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 20.
tema colonial.' Be it as it may, both France and England were displeased, and though they accepted Spain's explanations, were never fully satisfied. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 54; Córtes, Diario Senado, ii., ap., no. 85, 5; Id., Cong., vi., ap. i., no. 133, 33-4.
