The French representatives formally signified their regret at the course adopted, and the conviction that the empire could not sustain itself.[1] On the 19th of December came the intimation from Napoleon to withdraw all Frenchmen, soldiers and others, who so desired, including the foreign legion and the Austro-Belgian column.[2]
This was an open violation of the convention of Miramare, which still held in this respect; and in return Maximilian resolved to ignore the financial agreement of July 30th. The result was a series of protests and embargoes, with interruption to business, and a bitterness of feeling which neither emperor nor subjects took pains to conceal.[3]
- ↑ Bazaine personally approved the determination of Maximilian, and believed that he might with prudence hold his own, in the interior at least, till a more favorable moment. He felt an interest in the empire he had assisted to erect. Niox, Expéd., 653-6. Drouyn de Lhuys doubted his energy for a campaign that alone might prevent 'une tache pour sa vie politique.' L'Interven. Franc., 302. A circular of Dec. 10th advised the foreign ministers of the resolution formed, and not without giving emphasis to the role played by France. Another circular exhorted the comisarios to coöperate by letting friends and foes understand the patriotic intentions of the emperor.
- ↑ Castelnau and Dano had meanwhile maile another vain effort to dissuade Maximilian. The interview took place at Puebla on Dec. 14th. 'Mi permanencia salva el pais de este peligro' (of plundering Mexico by an arrangement with Ortega), runs the entry in his diary. See Basch, Erinn., i. 152. D'Héricault, Max., 39-40, considers that the French efforts failed partly from lack of delicacy.
- ↑ At Mexico the people had hissed the portrait of Napoleon during a dramatic presentation, and Bazaine closed the theatre. Arrangoiz, Méj., iv. 180-1. Maximilian had always entertained an antipathy for the French, observes Kératry, Max., 211-12. Early in Nov. Bigelow had been informed
of a chamber of senators; judges of the supreme court, except their president, to hold office for life; president and deputies to be elected by direct vote; clergy to reassume active and passive vote; corporations to be at liberty to acquire property; amnesty to be issued, persons excluded from this to be tried before common courts under the laws of Dec. 31, 1861; the recognition of the debts contracted and the grants made by the empire should be considered. See, further, Restauracion Lib.; Estrella Occid., May 10, 1967; Rivera, Hist. Jal., v. 700-1. Efforts so far made to win republican leaders for a congress had failed. See Maximilian's letter in Hall's Life Max., 171-4. It was probably not duly considered how many victories might be required to prevail with the irrepressible and unflinching Juarez, nor that the republicans would have the advantage over the foreign prince by intimidation and other manœvres. A fusion of parties seemed improbable. The volatile character of the people, and the unreliability of prefects and soldiers were additional factors. In considering Maximilian's motives, Basch gives prominence to family pride; Niox, rather to the humiliation imposed by France; Détroyat combines the two: 'Il ne voulait pas se retirer vaincu, chassé;' and so does Kératry, while loosely assuming that he places great confidence in conservative prospects. Arrangoiz seeks to defend this party from the charge of deception, by implying deceit on Maximilian's side.
