arrangement for securing the claims connected therewith, and his stanch federalist principles and legal rights to the presidency were believed to prove sufficient inducements for obtaining the favorable consideration of the United States.
Unfortunately the cabinet at Washington felt less disposed than ever to assume a yielding attitude. The first news of a change in the plan of evacuation, while really approaching more than the former toward the wishes of Seward, provoked a haughty note to the minister at Paris.[1] There were no objections to Ortega; but to favor him would be to support French influence in Mexico, and it was preferable to substitute that of the United States by sustaining Juarez, to whom moreover the latter stood pledged to a certain extent by the recognition accorded.[2] Mr Campbell, who had already been appointed minister to the Juarist government, was accordingly instructed to hasten to his post.[3] In order to give more effect to this mission, General Sherman[4] accompanied him.
- ↑ Casting doubts on the real intentions of Napoleon. The U. S. would entertain suggestions for the firm establishment of order, etc., in Mexico only after the evacuation had been effected. Despatch of Oct Sth. Bigelow was told that French troops would be withdrawn in the spring if Maximilian consented to abdicate. In case, however, the prince believed he could maintain himself, the departure of the troops would be as previously arranged by Drouyn de Lhuys. Despatch from Paris of Nov. 8th; see Leg. Mex., Circ., ii. 264 et seq.
- ↑ This was greatly due to Minister Romero's active support. The fear expressed by some writers that Ortega's entry would lead to dissensions bears different interpretations. As a famous soldier, with a large liberal following and the adhesion of conservatives and moderates, he seemed the man most likely to unite the several factions; but the late Juarist successes had materially affected his chances. Domenech gives too much importance to support accorded to Santa Anna in the U.S. He assumes that Seward proposed to install the arch intriguer as president and use him as a tool, while permitting the recognition of French claims and debts contracted by Maximilian. Finally his influence in Mexico was thought to be insufficient, and he was cast aside. Hist. Mex., iii. 371-2.
- ↑ His instructions of Oct. 22d allude to the promised withdrawal from Mexico of French troops, and the observance by France of a non-intervention policy similar to that of the U. S. The withdrawal would lead to a crisis, and he ought then to be present as the representative of the U. S. with the republican government. Juarez was recognized to be the president, and he must acknowledge no other head. The U. S. had no designs on Mexican territory, but were ready to make demonstration along the border to promote the reëstablishment of order.
- ↑ Grant, the general-in-chief, having declined.
