4.6                  THE  EMPEROR  MAXIMILIAN.
hoist the imperial flag, was decimated by many most
ungracious dismissals. The colonel of gendarmerie,
La Pena, of Tulancingo, who had rendered J>oth
valuable and dangerous services, was slighted, and also
the chiefs Galvez and Arguyes. The foremost gene-
rals were gradually set aside and overwhelmed with
discredit; the dismissal even^pfi, the faithful Mejia
himself was contemplated, he who subsequently re-
mained the only true friend in misfortune. The army,
the prefectures, and the gardes rurales, were recruited
with treacherous men, who secretly plotted treason, and
neutralised the efforts of our troops from the very
commencement of operations.
General Bazaine, however, keeping strictly to his
military duties, had lost no time, and had in no way
relaxed the measures which were favourable to tbe
new régime, for the success of which he had been ten
months preparing. Persevering in the labours begun
by Marshal Forey, who, on the arrival of our regiments
at Mexico, had directed the re-establishment of the
arsenal and of the cannon foundry at Chapultepec, he
took the greatest care in fortifying the capital and its
approaches ; he had also extended these same defensive
measures to the capitals of the states of the interior,
which had been occupied by our forces and the Mexican
troops. On his arrival in the first city of the republic,
he found the artillery service completely disorganised ;
the working stock was dilapidated, and not in working
order ; the magazines had been given up to plunder, the
arsenal was without a tool, the machinery partly taken
to pieces, and partly given up to certain individuals
in settlement of their claims against the government.
The implements of the foundry had disappeared, and
the percussion-cap manufactory was not in a condition
to make any.