In the latter part of the year 1862 the Emperor of Cochin China was forced to cede to France the coveted provinces.  Already new fortifications have arisen at Saigon, and dock-yards and coal-depots been established, and all steps taken for a permanent occupation of the territory.  The following advertisement appeared in the London “Times” for January 23, 1863,—­“Contract for transportation from Glasgow to Saigon of a floating iron dock in pieces.  Notice to ship-owners.  The administration of the Imperial Navy of France have at Glasgow a floating iron dock in pieces, which they require to be transported from that port to Saigon, Cochin China.  The said dock, with machinery, pumps, anchors, and instruments necessary to its working, will weigh from two thousand to twenty-five hundred tons.  Ship-owners disposed to undertake the transport are requested to forward their tenders to the Minister of Marine and Colonies previous to the fifth of February next.”  Now, if we consider that the news of the cession of these provinces did not reach France until the close of the year 1862, that this advertisement is dated January 23, 1863, and that a dock of the magnitude described could hardly be constructed short of many months, we shall be satisfied, that, long before any definite articles of peace had been proposed, the Emperor had settled in his own mind just what region he would annex to his dominions.

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We shall not need much argument to convince us that the subjugation of Mexico does not, either in character or methods, differ much from other acts of the French ruler.  Nevertheless, the details are curious and instructive.  It must be allowed that Mexico had given the Allies causes of offence.  She left unpaid large sums due from her to foreign bond-holders.  The subjects of the allied powers, temporarily resident in Mexico, were robbed by forced loans, and sometimes imprisoned, and even murdered.  To redress these grievances, an expedition was fitted out by the combined powers of England, France, and Spain.  The objects of the expedition were, first, to obtain satisfaction for past wrongs, and, second, some security against their recurrence in the future.  It was expressly agreed by all parties, that the Mexicans should be left entirely free to choose for themselves their own form of government.  Later events would seem to prove that England and Spain were sincere in their professions.

Everything went on smoothly until the capture of Vera Cruz.  Then the French Emperor unfolded secret plans which were not contained in the original programme.  They were these:  To take advantage of the weakness of the United States to establish in Mexico a European influence; to take possession of its capital city; and thence to impose upon the Mexican people a government more agreeable than the present to the Allies.  England and Spain retired from the expedition with scarcely concealed disgust, declaring, in almost so