Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/147

Rh of your corps.' Your direct action, and that of the minister of war, who is completely at your disposal, would contribute much, as I think, to the execution of this plan.

The second point is completely in your hands, and your wisdom and your thorough knowledge of the country cannot fail to ensure a right solution.

As regards the third point, it appears to me that it would be very useful if we were to acquaint ourselves with all the reports and communications which have been lately furnished by the imperial commissioners and the generals commanding the territorial divisions, copies of which are to be found in my secretary s office. By this means, it would be easy to form a clear idea of the number of troops which would have to be set in movement, and the expenditure to which we should have to look forward.

If the execution of this is possible, we should have the advantage of implicating all the high functionaries who have furnished the reports, by showing them that we have complied with their desires, and that the responsibility of the ulterior state of things would therefore fall upon them.

If we set courageously to work, I think that in a few months we may reckon on a brilliant result which will crown the efforts of valour and of wisdom which you have displayed for the service of this country.

As may be easily seen, the army was always in a state of transformation. These commissions absorbed precious hours, and too often in vain. Nevertheless, time pressed, and such serious alterations could not be made in a day. Besides, it kept up a state of uncertainty among the Mexican regiments, already too prone through their fickle nature and the traditions of former pronunciamientos to go over easily from one chief to another. Maximilian was much deceived when he thought that 'implicating his high functionaries' would give pledges of their future fidelity. This stratagem was hardly worthy of a sovereign, and, besides, he ought to have known that Mexicans would never