Meanwhile the forces victorious at Silao advanced upon Querétaro, constantly swelling their ranks and increasing their resources, having an abundance of artillery; but against public expectation, they retreated to the interior on discovering that there was no movement at the capital on behalf of the constitution. The reactionary government, nothing daunted by the terrible disaster at Silao, actively reorganized its forces, resorting to forced levies, and procuring resources to meet its urgent needs. The troops stationed in the east were concentrated at the capital, and other measures adopted for a campaign, which Miramon determined should be in the valley of Mexico. He now resolved to release Marquez from his arrest.[1] The capital by the end of August saw all communication with the rest of the country cut off. The guerrilla parties had also dug a trench on the road between Mexico and Puebla. Amidst all the turmoil Joaquin Francisco Pacheco, Spanish ambassador accredited to the government of the republic, who had arrived at Vera Cruz on the frigate Berenguela on the 23d of May, chose to present his credentials to Miramon, first obtaining, through devices not altogether honorable, permission from Juarez to travel into the interior.[2]
The ceremonial of official reception would be called magnificent by some and ridiculous by others. The
- ↑ Oajaca was taken by the liberals, which released a large number of men of their political creed who had been confined there. The same thing had occurred at Guadalajara.
- ↑ On his arrival he disclaimed any intention to meddle with the dissensions of the country. In a private letter to Juarez he expressed sympathy for Mexico in her distressed condition, manifesting his wish to go to the capital to fulfil 'mi mision, que no tiene por objeto el dañarle ni hostilizarle. He then asked for a pass through the region under Juarez' control, and for an escort for himself and his suite of fourteen persons, which requests were courteously acceded to the next day. After visiting McLane and De Gabriac, who was on his way to Europe after laying by in five years the snug sum of $150,000, he went on to Jalapa, where the authorities extended every mark of consideration. He arrived in Mexico on or about the 1st of June, and was received with high honor. Arrangoiz, Méj., ii. 302-4; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, v. 326; Córtes, Diario Congreso, i. ap. 5, no. 4, 17-20, 50-1; Lefévre, Mex. et l'Interv., 159-62; El Mensajero Esp., June 8, 1860.
charge pro tem. of the department of relations. Méx., Mem. Hacienda, 1870, 1060.
