On the 9th of April the allied commissioners had a stormy conference at Orizaba, the French, or rather Saligny, clearly indicating a high-handed course, ignoring the London convention of October 31, 1861, as well as that of La Soledad of February 19, 1862.[1] On the same day Minister Doblado was notified that in consequence of differences respecting the construction of the treaty of October 31st, the Spanish and British representatives had resolved to reembark their forces; after which the French army would concentrate at Paso Ancho, probably by April 20th, and forthwith undertake operations. Doblado, in his reply of April 11th, found unjustifiable the course of the French, and energetically expressed the determination of Mexico to defend herself to the last extremity, repelling force with force, and freely spilling her blood for the two great blessings achieved during the century, independence and reform. Commending the action of the Spanish and English representatives, he signified the readiness of his government to conclude treaties with them for the settlement of all pending questions.[2] General Prim would not tarry in Mexico long enough to conclude a treaty; but one was entered into by Doblado with Wyke and Dunlop, and ratified by Juarez, intended to settle the disputes with England, but it was more oppressive than the one made by Zamacona which the congress rejected.[3]
- ↑ A copy of the minutes of this conference maybe seen in Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 40-58; Hidalgo, Apuntes, 125-34. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 122-6, 135-6, has a synopsis. See also Lefêvre, Mex. et L'Interv., 424; Id., Doc. Maximiliano, i. 199-207.
- ↑ The above proposal was made known to the French, who declined to avail themselves of the same privilege. Doblado, in a private letter to Prim, urged him to accept his official offer, in which case he would visit Orizaba and meet him and his English colleagues. Arrangoiz, Mej., iii. 61-5; Lefêvre, Doc. Maximiliano, i. 220-7; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 429-30; Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 146-52; Manero, Rd., MS.. 1.
- ↑ To obtain the money for immediate payments, Mexico made a treaty with the U. S., which was to lend eleven million dollars; a treaty that satisfied the British plenipotentiaries, but which their government used as a pretext for refusing to ratify their action. Romero, Hist. Intrig. Europ., 242.
favor of acceding. The French thought otherwise, answering that Almonte was engaged by the emperor on a mission of peace. Zamacois, Hist. Mcj., xvi. 110-12.
