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dollars, and of the 200,000 dollars more, be completed within one month. Finally, the style adopted by his Excellency the French plenipotentiary, in drawing up his conditions, has throughout been very different from that used by the Mexican minister.

"Although his Excellency has plainly told the undersigned that his government will not consent to subject its disputes with this country to the arbitration of Great Britain, he cannot refrain from repeating this proposal, and with more force than ever, because the two governments being agreed on the most essential points, a rupture could hardly be justified upon the other and minor questions, which can only be considered as accessory. The arbitration indicated above is the most suitable, and his Excellency M. Baudin may be assured that it is conformable to the sentiments and wishes of her Britannic Majesty. The government of Francecan not fail to see, in this renewed proposal, a fresh effort of that of Mexico to preserve peace; indeed, after the declared opposition of M. Baudin, it would seem hardly decorous that it should do so-but in favour of peace Mexico is willing to wave this consideration. Let this be admitted as relates to the points in question, and the actual differences would speedily be terminated in a satisfactory manner.

And

"The undersigned has just received despatches from the minister of the republic at Washington, with copies of communications addressed by the United States Secretary of State to their envoys in Paris and London, informing them of the wishes of his government, that they should use their endeavours to terminate favourably the differences now pending between France and Mexico. the President of the United States has officially declared, that if he had not offered his mediation to his Majesty's government, it was because he was aware that her Britannic Majesty had, with the same views, already offered hers; but he was desirous that the French government should be acquainted with his sentiments and readiness to contribute in any useful manner to bring about a satisfactory settlement.

"If this long statement (indispensably rendered so by the abrupt termination of the conferences occasioned by M. Baudin's

departure) is founded upon reason and justice, and the mutual interests of both countries, the undersigned cannot comprehend how his Excellency, the plenipotentiary of his Majesty, can refuse the accompanying convention, or the renewed proposal to refer the questions in dispute to arbitration, without failing in the solemn protests made to the Mexican cabinet. The honour of France and that of Mexico, said his Excellency, are perfectly compatible, and France neither demands nor desires any thing beyond what is just and reasonable. It is unfortunate that since the departure of M. Baudin, the present negociation has assumed a very different character to what was expected from his mission; and his Excellency will not be surprised when the undersigned assures him, that from the moment in which he announced his departure for Sacrificios, he had an unquestionable right to consider the negociation at an end. His Excellency having agreed with the undersigned to hold in this city the necessary conferences for arranging the pending differences in a satisfactory manner; neither of them could have contemplated fixing such a short period as four days, for settling questions of such high importance. Nevertheless, the undersigned has not desired to consider his mission as terminated, because M. Baudin having informed him, that his departure was the result of unavoidable circumstances, he wished not to lose the last chance of a reconciliation, which the interests of both countries, of others with which Mexico is in friendly relations, and the dearest rights of humanity so imperiously require. Thus it is that he has not hesitated a moment in prolonging his stay in this city until the conclusion of this important affair, and therefore waits the reply of his Excellency to this note.

"These endeavours have no other origin than in the unanimous feeling of the Mexican government, of the necessity it is under to justify fully to the world its entire proceedings connected with this important question. Acting in behalf of a nation which alone has achieved its independence, which has shed with profusion its blood in defence of its rights, it could neither yield to the impulse of unworthy fear, nor be wanting to a due consi

deration for itself. The French government, which so unjustly has attacked it, may occasion evils of great magnitude, it can occupy some points of the coast, paralyze the foreign trade, and cause the loss of many lives. The undersigned is aware of this, and confesses it without hesitation; and for the same reason he desires that the French cabinet should understand that the Mexican nation, whatever may be its government, whatever its institutions, and whatever its misfortunes, will never for an instant listen to any proposals unworthy of its independence. War may rage, costing much blood to French and Mexicans alike, and thus perpetuating bitter hatreds between the two nations. Their respective governments will not be able to efface in many years the desolation occasioned by war, and France will never be able to justify her conduct. Mexico, on the contrary, can at all times appeal with confidence to the annexed convention in proof of the justice of her cause.

"The undersigned has the honour to reproduce to his Excellency the plenipotentiary of France the securities of his distinguished consideration.

"LUIS GONZAGA CUEVAS."

A new plan of adjustment accompanied this communication, the receipt of which was never acknowledged by Admiral Baudin, except in the subjoined despatch of the French admiral's to the general commanding the department of Vera Cruz:

"His Majesty's frigate, Nereide, off Vera Cruz, 27th November, 1838.

"Excellent Sir,

"I have received your two notes of this day's date, the one of a public, the other of a private nature, accompanying me a despatch from his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

"I have no time at present to reply to the minister, but I beg of you to inform him that the period I had fixed expires to-day, and that no answer has been sent me sufficiently satisfactory to the honourable and moderate demands of France: I am therefore under the necessity of commencing hostilities.

"It is now a month since I arrived off Vera Cruz, and I have performed to the best of my ability every thing that reason and humanity can desire, to avoid a rupture between the two countries. God is witness of the sincerity of my endeavours to obtain this result. My mission of peace is concluded that of war begins. Would to God that all the ills consequent thereon fell solely upon those men whose iniquity and pride have occasioned this result. I again recommend to the consideration and humanity of your Excellency the safety of my countrymen who are in Vera Cruz, and beseech you to admit the assurances of my esteem and high consideration.

"To his Excellency D. Manuel Rincon, Commandant General of Vera Cruz."

"CHARLES BAUDIN.

Immediately on the receipt of this despatch, the French admiral, notwithstanding that he obtained all that was required by France, made arrangements for attacking Vera Cruz. Accordingly a large body of men were landed at the Mole from the blockading squadron, about two hours before day-light. The barracks where Arista and Santa Anna were quartered was surprised and the former taken prisoner, but Santa Anna made his escape, and commenced mustering the soldiers of the garrison, who were flying in all directions. Having armed them in the best manner he could, he

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led them against the French, and a stubborn conflict ensued in the streets of Vera Cruz. The French, although they were led by the Prince Joinville and Admiral Baudin, soon found that the Mexicans were more than a match for them, and were eventually obliged to make a precipitate retreat, in which they were closely pressed by Santa Anna, who, just as he was leading the garrison towards the Mole, lost his leg. This untoward event saved both the French prince and admiral from being made prisoners.

I have introduced the Mexican foreign secretary's note at length, in order to show that the Mexican statesmen are not the imbeciles they are represented; but on the contrary, that they are alive to the courtesy which is due from one nation to another, and that in their intercourse with foreign powers they are actuated by a profound sense of propriety, justice, and humanity. In giving also a brief account of the engagement between the French troops, and the Mexicans under Santa Anna, which ended in the complete defeat of the former, my object is to show that the prowess of the Mexicans is by no means contemptible in a military point of view, and indeed it cannot be denied that the Mexican must necessarily be brave, enterprising, and inured to all hardships and dangers incident to the most active life of a soldier, exposed as he is from his earliest infancy, first, to hostile Indians, men of inexhaustible energy, vigilance, and supe

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