Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/195

Rh of the country, and the lack of aid to efficiently promote colonization, neutralized the projects, so that hardly anything was done.

Finances remained inextricably confused, especially after Mexican officials received charge of the empire. Their ill-will and inability became manifest in decreasing revenue; and notwithstanding a growing dislike for the French, Maximilian found it necessary to apply to Napoleon for an able director, and to arrange with Bazaine for French agents in the leading towns to supervise the collection of revenue. The Mexicans naturally objected to foreign interference, and arrayed themselves against it, so as to seriously interfere with the projects elaborated by Bonnefous, who came out as inspector-general of finances. This opposition served to render the need for money all the more pressing. By this time the news of military successes, and the glowing report of an agent sent from Paris to examine the resources of Mexico, had so inspired the French government itself as to induce it to lend official countenance to the loan placed in April 1865 on the market. It was consequently obliged later to assume the responsibility.

The present issue was increased to 250 million francs, which, less the bonus of 32 per cent and expenses, including a lottery amortization, yielded a net sum of barely 97 millions, very little of which reached the Mexican government. The original debt of 81 million pesos, at the beginning of the intervention, had now swollen to 253 millions, and was growing rapidly under French military expenses. The interest alone, of over 10 millions, threatened to absorb