Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/61

Rh that more Spanish and French troops came. On the 20th Prim wrote his government that the reactionary party was almost annihilated, so much so that during the two months the allied forces had been in the country no sign of such a party had been visible. Marquez, with a few hundred men, it was true, refused recognition of Juarez' government; but his attitude was not that of an assailant, but rather that of an outlaw hiding in the woods, who would soon have to submit. He added that the hopes entertained by the French commissioners of a facility to erect a monarchy were fast disappearing from their minds. The monarchial element, he said, was insignificant, and lacked the energy and decision which occasionally gives the victory to minorities. Early in March General Corate de Lorencez arrived at Vera Cruz. Prim then wrote his government that Lorencez' arrival, and the expected coming of more French troops, had caused great alarm to the Mexican cabinet and the whole liberal party — an alarm which was augmented by the unreserved assertions in the French journals that the imperial troops had the mission of establishing a throne in Mexico, and of placing upon it Maximilian of Hapsburg. He feared such a project might bring on differences, not only between Mexico and France, but also between France and her allies. The coming of Almonte and his reactionary companions, and their intention of occupying quarters in the French camp to prosecute their intrigues under French protection, had prompted the Mexican authorities to apprise the plenipotentiaries of their determination to cause the capture and punishment of the nation's proscribed enemies entering it with evil intent. He feared that this might provoke a rupture of existing relations.