directed by General Bruno Aguilar. On the first of June, at a public meeting, they adopted a preamble and resolutions to accept the aid of and submit to the foreign intervention.[1] José Mariano Salas, the ex-president, assumed ad interinm the military command of the city. Bazaine's division of the invading army entered it on the 7th of June, occupying the main entrances, and tendering protection to the reactionary party against the enraged populace. The reception of the French in Mexico has been represented by Forey and others as so full of enthusiasm that it almost verged on delirium.[2] It is more than likely that the interventionists had prepared beforehand some exhibition of the kind.[3]
A committee of reactionists, presided over by Juan N. Pereda, laid the aforesaid preamble and resoluA tions before Forey, who rode into the city of Mexico on the 10th of June, with Almonte on his right and Saligny on his left, and immediately after made Lieutenant-colonel De Potier commandant of the district. A local government was organized;[4] a press law was enacted, claimed to be liberal, but in reality very restrictive, inasmuch as no discussion was permitted upon the laws and institutions, and much less upon religious topics. Sales of property by liberals after
- ↑ The resolutions were: 1st, cheerfully accepting the generous aid of the French emperor, they placed themselves under Forey's protection; 2d, Forey was asked to call a meeting, the most numerous possible, to represent all classes, and the interests of parties willing to recognize the intervention, the most prominent for science, morality, and patriotism, consulting Almonte in the choice; 3d, the board, then given the name of Junta Calificadora, was to assemble on the third day from its convocation, and within eight days to decide on the form of government the nation was to be permanently placed under; and to choose a provisional government to hold power till the permanent régime should become installed. Acta de los Traidores, in La Estrella de Occid., July 24, 1863; Rivera, Gob. de Méx., 637; Domenech, Hist, du Mex., iii. 120-7.
- ↑ Hidalgo, the monarchist, says that the troops were almost covered with flowers. Apuntes, 170-3.
- ↑ It has been asserted that the flowers thrown at the feet of the soldiers were paid for with French money. Lefêvre, Doc. Maximiliano, i. 280-1; Méx., Boletin Leyes, 1863, 45.
- ↑ See decrees of June 13th and 14th, appointing an ayuntamiento, and Azcárate as prefect. Méx., Boletin Ley., 1863, 37-9.
