West American History - 1902 Author:Hubert Howe Bancroft Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. FRENCH OCCUPATION. 1862-1863. Napoleon's Instructions—Arrival Of Forey's Armt—Zaragoza's Death —Forby's First Movements—His Neglect Of The Co... more »nservatives— Theib Subserviency—Mabch on Puebla—Indecent Devices—Gen- Eral Condition Of Mexico—Bombardment Of Acapulco—Siege Of Puebla—Foret Offers Honorable Terms—Tiiey Are Not Ac- Cepted—Unconditional Surrender—Treatment Of Mexican Pris- Oners— Affairs At The Capital — Flight Of The Government — Jcarez At San Luis Porosf—Tub French Occupy Mexico—Initia- Tory Policy. Napoleon and his cabinet approved the action of Saligny and his colleague; but in the chamber of deputies the republicans, orleanists, and legitimists jointly opposed the course of the imperial government in Mexico,1 and found fault with Almonte for calling himself supreme chief and trying to establish a government. The news of the disaster of May 5th reached them on the 16th of June. Imprecations were heard everywhere against the Spanish government, Prim, and the Mexicans who had induced Napoleon to send out the expedition. After that the diplomatic functions were left in Saligny's hands. Napoleon wrote Lorencez not to be discouraged on account of the reverse at Puebla. He approved the protection afforded Almonte and other Mexicans who had sought it. He did not wish to force any form of government upon Mexico, desiring only her prosperity and independence in her relations with Europe. 'Among the prominent speakers were Jules Favre, Thiers, and Berryer. NAPOLEON'S VIEWS. 65 He approved Lorencez' conduct, though misunderstood by some.8 Nevertheless, on deciding to despatch more forces, General Forey was appointed com- mander-in-chief, with powers as plenipotentiary; and the emperor wrote him, on the 3d of July, giving his views as to the policy he...« less