Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/59

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NEGOTIATIONS.
39

them that his government thought it expedient that the rest of the allied troops should reëmbark.[1] This answer was conveyed by Zamacona, who accompanied the allied envoys on their journey back.

Meantime the reactionary leaders were tendering their acceptance of and services to the intervention. About this time Almonte, Padre Miranda, and Haro y Tamariz landed in Vera Cruz, under the special protection of the French commissioners. Miramon came on the 27th of January upon the British steamer Avon, and was arrested by the British authorities on one of their frigates.[2] A little later he was ordered away, and returned to Habana.

Zamacona was cordially received by the allied plenipotentiaries; but the latter refused to accede to Doblado's request, and on the 2d of February signified to him the necessity they were under of providing a healthy locality for their troops,[3] and their intention of marching, about the middle of February, toward Jalapa and Orizaba, where they hoped to meet with a cordial reception. After some further correspondence, it was agreed that Doblado should meet Prim on the 18th, which was done, and a convention was

  1. It was a satisfaction, he said, that the three great powers were not banded to render fruitless in a single day a friendly people's heroic efforts of three years.His government trusted that the plenipotentiaries would return home carrying with them the evidence of Mexico's pacification through liberty and progress. As to the claims, all just ones would be recognized. He would not insult the allies by supposing that they had other views than those set forth in their note. The object of asking them to reëmbark and send away their armics was to give legal validity to the arrangements that might be consummated at Orizaba. Arrangoiz, Méj., iii. 23-4; Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 76-7.
  2. When in Europe Miramon visited Spain, and it was supposed placed himself in accord with that government. U. S. Exec. Doc., 1861-2. His coming with a passport under an assuined name lhad been announced. The British officials then gave notice that they would have him arrested, on landing, for his participation in the robbery of the British legation. The French representatives objected. Prim exerted himself to avert a rupture between the English and French. It was then arranged that Miramon's arrest should be before his landing. Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 75; La Voz de Méj., Sept. 6, 1862. Arrangoiz claims that the English feared Miramon's prestige would upset Juarez in a few days. Méj., iii. 25-6. Prim wrote his government how much trouble the incident caused, and of his action to preserve harmony.
  3. The Spaniards, out of 6,000 men, had now ouly 4,000 in healthy condition. The French had 400 or 500 sick. L'amiral au ministre des affaires étrangères (15 Février), in Niox, Expéd. du Mex., 86.