Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/415

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
HOPES OF DIAZ.
395

military authorities, and the garrison, accepted the amnesty on the 6th of October, Flores and the other prisoners being released by Colonel Francisco Cañedo, a revolutionary leader who had recognized Lerdo's government, and installed himself as provisional governor of the state.[1] On the 19th Mazatlan was occupied by the federal troops, and the revolutionary movement in Sinaloa was virtually at an end. Nor were affairs in Chihuahua more favorable to Diaz' designs. Lerdo managed matters so as to make it clear that the direct cause of the former revolution no longer existed. To continue a contest which had been entered into for the purpose of overthrowing one government, against another of different and more liberal politics, might or might not be called for. Diaz well knew this; but he hoped that by refusing submission he would obtain from Lerdo those changes in the political programme which he had suggested, and which would enhance his own prospects of election to the presidency. His generals evidently did not all share his views. Guerra, among the last of those who submitted,[2] on the 5th of September had entered into a convention with Terrasas, by which the former recognized the latter as governor, agreeing to evacuate the city of Chihuahua on the 15th, and withdraw his troops from the state by the 23d,[3] which terms he complied with, proceeding to Durango, where he made his submission.

  1. El Federalista, Oct. 11, 1872; El Monitor Rep., Oct. 12, 1872. Cañedo had assumed the military and political command of the state, Gov. Buelna having, according to Cañedo's statement, resigned in his favor. Buelna, however, did not confirm his resignation when released from the power of Cañedo, but asserted that it had been extorted from him by compulsion. An order was accordingly sent to Gen. Ceballos, commander of the government troops in Sinaloa, to reinstate Buelna. El Monitor Rep., Oct. 12, 24, 25, Nov. 21, 1872; El Federalista, Oct, 26, Nov. 7, 1872.
  2. Guerra arrived at the capital the last of Nov. El Federalista, Nov. 28, 1872.
  3. El Monitor, Sept. 26, 1872. Guerra's submission was still considered doubtful, as he did not disband his troops and formally accept the amnesty. His intentions were the more suspicious from the fact that in the agreement he stipulated that $25,000 should be paid him for their maintenance. It was suspected that he intended to march against Durango, and Gen. Rocha was ordered to Chihuahua.