Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/44

24 The United States, on receiving the invitation to coöperate with the three powers in carrying out that convention, declined to join them. Seward's reply on the 4th of December stated that his government had some grievances against Mexico, but the president could not see that a redress of them could be then obtained through that convention. Seward further advised the ministers of the three leagued powers that the United States would maintain a competent naval force in the gulf of Mexico to protect their citizens and interests; and that their minister in Mexico would be authorized to seek such conferences with the belligerents as might guard either of them against inadvertent injury to the just rights of the United States, if any such should be endangered.

Early in November news reached Vera Cruz of the preparations made in Habana for the Spanish military expedition that was to consist of five or six thousand troops, and fifteen or sixteen war vessels. A threatening demonstration of this nature made it, of course, the chief and only matter to be considered, that of arranging, if possible, the foreign difficulties. Little hope could be entertained in view of the hostile spirit manifested by the European allies, and there was nothing left for Mexico to do but to procure means and prepare for defence. Orders were given