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116 preparing to obtain loans and armaments in the United States; but to obtain any active sympathy from the government was hopeless, for it could not venture to increase complications while engaged in its exhaustive struggle with the rebellious southern states. Even arms bought in the United States had to be smuggled out of them, so as not to expose the authorities to complaints on the part of France.

There was need for exertion, because the fighting, although still of a desultory nature, was as a rule unfavorable to republican arms. Mejía had taken Actopan in Mexico, and several other reverses followed in this state. So also in Puebla. In Vera Cruz,