called Gibraltar of America, defending Vera Cruz harbor, but felt so hampered by the lack of funds that he proposed to resign.[1] Nevertheless he presented a bold front, and Bazoche did not deem it prudent to attack the fortress with his fever-stricken ships.
The blockade, while cutting deep into the customhouse revenue, did not appear to impress the Mexicans, and France felt it necessary to act energetically on the position taken. Deffaudis had gone home to report, and in his place was sent Rear-Admiral Charles Baudin, with several ships to swell the squadron, and with full power to effect a settlement, peaceably or by force. He reached Vera Cruz toward the close of October, and sent at once a commissioner to Mexico requesting an answer to the late ultimatum.[2] This led to a conference at Jalapa on November 17th between Baudin and Cuevas, minister of foreign affairs. The former insisted on the main points already presented,[3] but while prepared to abate the additional
- ↑ He had to borrow small sums from the merchants, and supply the lack of troops with local volunteers. See his Manifesto, 17, 23, and appendix, supported by Rivera. Hist. Jalapa, iii. 356-8, 364, 384.
- ↑ The note is dated October 27, 1838, on board the frigate Néréide. It protests against the excuse that Mexico is in a state of revolution, and that foreigners choosing to reside there do so at their own risk. Such maxims are at variance with her own desire to be admitted in the sisterhood of civilized nations, and with the provisional agreement of 1827. If a nation cannot maintain order within her territory she must learn to suffer. Foreigners are useful and necessary for Mexico's prosperity and advancement. Blanchard, San Juan de Ulúa, 251-9. The note was carried by Captain Leroy.
- ↑ Baudin's bases were: 3. Confirmation of the convention of 1827 till a regular treaty of amity could be arranged. 4. No reclamations by Mexico for French sequestrations. 5. Payment of $200,000 to defray the expenses of the expedition. The total $800,000 had to be paid within 30 days. An additional secret clause demanded that holders of the so-called 17 per cent. loan should be free to present in payment of duty the proportion thereof agreed upon. Articles 1, 2, 4, and part of 3, of former ultimatum, were insisted upon. Cuevas consented to pay, within six months after the date of the convention, $600,000 in settlement of all pecuniary responsibility prior to March 21, 1838, but required that Mexico should be at liberty to decide upon the punishment of the objectionable officials. The exemption from forced contributions or loans was no longer applicable, for the congress had decided to use no such measures in future. The other points should be submitted to English arbitration. Existing differences being settled by the acceptance of this proposal the French fleet should retire, surrendering the sequestrated vessels. (Steps would at once be taken to conclude a treaty of amity and commerce, and meanwhile the most favorable reciprocity should prevail. Baudin yielded as
