Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/108

92, would have saved the empire. The inhabitants of this town had voluntarily taxed themselves to the amount of about eighteen thousand piastres, to raise a troop of 400 men; and this was done at the instigation of an energetic prefect. They now found themselves at the end of their resources, and their soldiers were consequently disbanded, leaving the inhabitants exposed to the reprisals of the liberals. The minister of war, not being well informed, questioned the authenticity of this disquieting news which had reached the emperor. The evidence was, however, too strong when the cries of distress sent up from this part of the territory made their way to Mexico.

The marshal, seeing the full necessity of protecting these towns on the Pacific, as important places both in a military and commercial point of view, ordered our fleet (whose devotion was put to a cruel test in these dangerous waters) to provision Manzanillo, so that our men-of-war might be able to take advantage of their voyages along the coast from Manzanillo to Acapulco, to bring food, meat, and medicines to the garrison. As to Parras, the head-quarters authorities, being desirous of relieving the population, caused four free companies to be raised, and consented that their pay should be guaranteed by the French treasury, as an advance. No opportunity was lost of helping any of the energetic inhabitants. But there was a just limit which our commander-in-chief was not entitled to pass. For, unless he betrayed his duties as a Frenchman, he was obliged to regard the safety of his soldiers as well as the wishes of the imperial family. Now, article 2 of the treaty of Miramar, which Maximilian had signed in full knowledge of the facts, stipulated that, after the throne had been taken possession of, 'our expeditionary corps should be reduced to an effectif of 25,000