On this subject, I must inform you that several members of my ministry solicit me to declare a state of siege over the whole empire. They assert that the only means of tranquillising the country, and also of obtaining some degree of order in the administration and finances, is to place the power in the hands of the chief military commanders, who should be chosen, wherever it is possible, among the French officers. This measure can only be legal through the departments being declared in a state of siege.
The question is a highly important one; it affects the most serious interests, and I did not wish to decide upon it before knowing your opinion. You have just traversed a large portion of the empire; you have observed closely the state of things in various departments, and you better than anyone are in a position to enlighten me with the information you have obtained, and the observations you have made.
I shall therefore be glad to know if you consider it necessary to declare a state of siege throughout the whole empire; or, if it would be best to declare it in certain departments, and what those departments should be; and, finally, if you are disposed to specify any French officers who might be named chief commandants in the departments placed in a state of siege. Under these circumstances, I doubt not that you will again consent to come to the aid of my government.—Your very affectionate, Maximilian.The marshal, to whom some have so complacently attributed certain dreams of personal ambition, which would certainly have accepted the offer of a military dictatorship like this at a time so critical for the crown, replied to the emperor from his bivouac as follows:—
Peotillos, August 10, 1866.
