Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/20

4 In the early part of January, the three plenipotentiaries addressed a collective note to the Mexican government, demanding reparation for all the grievances and wrongs which had been suffered. On February 9, 1862, the allied commissioners informed Doblado, Juarez's minister, that the allied troops would march about the middle of the month to occupy more wholesome quarters in the interior, and invited him to come to an understanding with the Count de Reuss (General Prim).

The army, on landing, had been placed under the orders of the Spanish general Prim. Spain had 7,000 men there, and France about 3,000. England had only landed some marines. On February 13, 1862, the Mexican government and the plenipotentiaries of Spain, England, and France, signed respectively the preliminary convention of La Soledad; the 1st article of this confirmed the authority of Juarez, and the 6th stipulated that the Mexican flag, which had been lowered on the approach of the allied squadrons menacing Vera Cruz, should be again hoisted.

Nearly two months necessarily elapsed before the draft of the treaty found its way back from Europe to the camp of the negotiating parties, who had been obliged to consult their respective governments. Through a very proper exercise of foresight, article 3 of the convention of La Soledad had stipulated that, during the progress of negotiations, the expeditionary corps should occupy the towns of Cordova, Orizaba, and Tehuacan—quarters that were favourable to the health of the soldiers. Doblado, the minister, had made this concession, and Juarez had ratified it. Although it seemed right, from our point of view, looking at the fatal effect of the (terres chaudes) especially during the winter season, to imperiously exact this liberty of