Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/459

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CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.
439

former recognized the authority of Diaz[1] More troublesome were demonstrations made on the northern border from the territory of the United States in favor of Lerdo, as they complicated matters pending with the neighboring republic.[2] Escobedo, in the latter part of 1877, organized a force in Texas for the invasion of Mexico, and entered Coahuila. José María Amador made a similar movement into Tamaulipas. In 1878 several engagements took place, but with no success to the Lerdistas. On June 3d Escobedo was defeated by Nuncio, and captured shortly after at Cuatro Ciénagas, whence he was taken to Mexico city, where he was released on parol September 13th.[3] Amador was not so fortunate. After a series of ill successes he was routed August 24th at the Rancho de Guadalupe, five leagues from the Villa de Mendez, and slain with his brother Albino and brother-in-law José María Cisneros.

Apart from these hostile movements directed against the federal government, there were others of a local character, for the most part stirred up by revolutionary malecontents. During the years 1878 to 1880 inclusive, Vera Cruz, Jalisco, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Oajaca, Yucatan, and Campeche were more or less afflicted by such disturbances, while the most troublesome one occurred in Sinaloa. They were all, however, suppressed; and where the intervention of the federal troops was necessary no very serious exertion on the part of the government was required. The government of Diaz, in fact, may be regarded as hav-

  1. U. S. Ex. Doc., For, Rel., 1877–1878, i. 406, 425-6; La Voz de Méj., May 10 and Aug. 2, 1877.
  2. Lerdo issued a manifesto from New York Feb. 24, 1877, claiming to be the constitutional president. Iglesias did the same from New Orleans on March 16th. Copies will be found in Id., March 26, 27, 1877. The latter returned to Mexico about the middle of Oct. He took no further part in public affairs, but retired to private life without molestation on the part of the government. Iglesias, Recuerdos, MS., 87-8.
  3. Particulars of Escobedo's operations will be gathered from La Voz de Méj., July 24, 26, 28, Aug. 8, 15, Nov. 20, Dec. 1, 14, 15, 1977; II., June 17, 19, 21, Sept. 14, Nov. 7, 1878; Diario Ofic., Nov. 3), Dec. 15, 1977, and June 14, 17, 18, 20, 28, July 2, 25, 27, 31, and Aug. 2, 14, 16, 1878.