Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/139

Rh with success, and relying on the close vicinity of the main army under Bazaine, who, rejoined by Berthier, was advancing by way of Celaya, Mejía and Douay now proceeded through Allende against Guanajuato. Finding it unsafe to attempt holding a city so readily commanded by surrounding hills, Doblado withdrew, and the enemy took possession on December 9th. Four days later Mejía pursued his march in the direction of San Luis Potosí, halting on the 16th to celebrate in Hidalgo's own town the anniversary of the independence there cradled.

The approach of so formidable a foe pointed to the necessity for new republican headquarters; and on December 22d Juarez and his government abandoned San Luis Potosí for the more distant Saltillo, capital of Coahuila. Monterey had been proposed; but the doubtful attitude of Governor Vidaurri, and the rumors of negotiations between him and the imperialists, made this inadvisable, as will be seen. In addition came changes in the cabinet, owing to the resignation of Nuñez, who had so long and worthily held the finance portfolio, and the killing of Comonfort, minister of war, in an ambush laid by imperialists during his trip to Guanajuato, on November 14th. Thus died the ex-president, to whom belongs in a measure the constitution round which the great struggle was centring. Vacillation had marked his course as a ruler, but as minister, the subordinate of a stronger mind, his character and talents shone with a brighter lustre, and his humanity will ever stand forth as a redeeming trait, even among his opponents.