Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/372

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352
REPUBLICAN RECONSTRUCTION.

García and Benavides.[1] The last stronghold of the imperialists, namely, that of Nayarit, submitted on the 22d of July, when Lozada and his subordinates, with the civil authorities and people, recognized the supreme government of the republic.[2]

Among the president's first acts was the reëstablishment of the portfolio of fomento, calling Blas Balcárcel to take charge of it; and upon the resignation of José María Iglesias from the department of justice and public instruction, Antonio Martinez de Castro was appointed his successor.[3] He also decreed that the supreme authorities — legislative, executive, and judicial — of the several states should not reside at seaports, and that all should return to their former respective capitals.[4] Next came a general order of the 23d reducing the four corps d'armée, Centro, Oriente, Norte, and Occidente, to as many divisions with a force of 4,000 men each.[5] The fifth division, Juan Álvarez' command, was to garrison Acapulco. This decree, sending into poverty two thirds of the army which had fought the battles of the republic against both the foreign foe and imperialism, and at

  1. The authorities and other compromitted persons sought refuge on foreign vessels. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 715; Salm-Salm's Dairy, ii. 100; La Estrella de Occid., Aug. 2, 1867; Zamacois Hist. Méj., xviii. 1649.
  2. In order to accomplish it, Guadarrama's cavalry, of Corona's command, secured the strategic points. La Estrella de Occid., Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 4, 1867; El Est. de Sin., Aug. 9, Sept. 13, 1867. It has been said that it was effected through the influence with Lozada and others there of Barron, Forbes, & Co., whose good-will had been secured by confirming to them the concession made by Maximilian to build the Vera Cruz railroad. Marquez de Leon, Mem. Póst., MS., 312-7. Tepic was made a military district directly dependent on the general government. Riva Palacio, Hist. Adm. Lerdo, 112, 412–4.
  3. Decrees of July 20 and 21, 1867. Mex., Col. Ley., 1863-7, iii. 280-3; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 28; El Derecho, i. 15.
  4. On the 22d of July, 1867. Diario Ofic., Aug. 21, 1867; Méx., Col. Ley., 1863-7, iii. 293-4; Dublin and Lozano, Leg. Mex., x. 28–9.
  5. The central division was placed in command of Nicolás Régules, with headquarters in Mexico; the eastern was given to Porfirio Diaz, headquarters in Tehuacan — including the garrisons of Vera Cruz and Tabasco; the northern was to be under Mariano Escobedo, including the garrisons of Tampico, Matamoros, and other northern frontier places, with headquarters at San Luis Potosí. The command of the 4th or western was given to Ramon Corona, who was to control Manzanillo, Mazatlan, and Tepic, with headquarters in Guadalajara. Méx., Col. Ley., 1863-7, iii. 295–8; Diaz, Datos Biog., MS., 352; Boletin Repub., July 27, 30, Aug. 21, 1867.