Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/155

Rh of fresh opponents, even in the central provinces. Victories by foreign soldiers could hardly please even the most rabid conservative; and to others they appeared in more sombre aspect as being achieved for the sake of installing a foreign prince, perhaps a mere agent for French designs. Every severe act by such hands, as the execution of bandit chiefs or guerrilla leaders, tended to intensify dislike under the incentive of republican proclamations.

At the opening of the year the Franco-Mexican forces had overrun the most important part of the country, and in February there were adherents enough to represent the majority of the provinces, and presumably of the population. Regardless of the sincerity of this vote, the regency hastened to send the returns to the commissioners in Europe. This unwarrantable haste must not be censured too severely, however, for Maximilian himself appears to have been eager to grasp at almost any illusions that might excuse his acceptance of the coveted crown. He had long regarded himself as emperor, holding councils and arranging private affairs with that view. The latter called him to Brussels, and receiving there the report of the plebiscit in Mexico, he hastened to Paris to arrange for guarantees.

With the coöperation of English bankers, a loan of £8,000,000 was placed, which, after deducting the modest discount of thirty-seven per cent and the expenses, yielded less than half the amount. Of this Maximilian obtained about ten per cent, and most of the remainder was absorbed for interest on the present and previous loans. So much for the first financial