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226 soon acquired a decided influence with Maximilian, despite his doubtful antecedents. The French appointments appeared a necessary adjunct to the July convention with France and the Franco-Mexican reorganization of the army; but Napoleon objected to the semi-official interference implied, and Bazaine was soon obliged to seek an excuse for withdrawing them.

Meanwhile advances continued to be made for conservative favor, and on September 14th Lares, as president of the cabinet, was reënforced by García Aguirre, Teófilo Marin, and Mier y Teran, for the department of public instruction and worship, gobernacion, and fomento respectively; and to these were added the Portuguese, J. N. Pereda, I. T. Larraínzar, subsequently M. Campos and R. Tavera, intrusted with foreign relations, finance, and war, Arroyo being placed at the head of the household. In the programme now issued the necessity was pointed out of harmonious coöperation between political and military powers, and of suppressing hostile demonstrations, while otherwise allowing freedom of opinion and sustaining individual guarantees, with inviolability of property. The administration had to be intrusted exclusively to the ministers, who were responsible, and territorial divisions to reliable adherents — an