sacrifice of life, and the council over which he thereupon presided voted unanimously to capitulate, for Baudin would accord no delay beyond the morning. And so fell the Gibraltar, after a few hours bombardment. The French took possession at 2 o'clock in the after noon of November 28th, after allowing the garrison to retire with honors of war, and promising to restore the fortress as soon as all differences were adjusted.[1] Vera Cruz being now at the mercy of the new holders of Ulúa, Rincon was compelled to enter into a special agreement to reduce the garrison of the port to 1,000 men, and receive back and indemnify expelled Frenchmen, Baudin offering in return to suspend the blockade for eight months.[2]
At Mexico the news evoked the cry of treason, with a violent denunciation of Bustamante's lack of promptness in consonance with the inspiring sound of war-hymns along the streets. The government found it necessary to follow the current by ignoring the capitulation, and supplementing the act with a declaration of war. An attendant feature was the expulsion of French residents, proposed already in the spring, but now enforced with a certain harshness.[3] The president further stilled the outcry
- ↑ The troops agreeing not to serve against France within eight months.
- ↑ The French were allowed to seek fresh provisions. All excess beyond the 1,000 allowed for garrison, had to retire to a distance of ten leagues from the port. Among the reasons for the capitulation were the scanty remnant of ammunition, the lack of artillerists for more than ten guns, the demolition of so many batteries and dismounting of cannon, and the discouragement of the men at the slaughter. Santa Anna had suggested that the fortifications facing Vera Cruz should be blown up, a standing order with the former viceroys, who were also to entrap invaders along the intricate roads to Jalapa or Orizaba. As the French flag rose over Ulúa the English man-of-war joined with the rest in saluting it. Comments, with documents, in Bustamante, Gabinete Mex., i. 125-37; Arrillaga, Recop., 1839, 3. Both Rincon and Gaona were called to answer for their conduct.
- ↑ They had to leave towns within three days, and the country within fifteen. Those married to Mexicans or disabled, if well behaved, were exempt. Decrees of Dec. 1, 1838. Id., 1838, 539-41. The outcry against so brief a term caused it to be extended to two months, mainly at the intercession of the foreign ministers. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 564-7, 570. Circulars of March 13 had enjoined good treatment of Frenchmen, in view of the popular ferment. Vallejo, Col. Doc. Mex., MS., i. pts 85, 127. Now this feeling had grown so strong that many hastened to leave at once. On Dec. 8th, 225
