Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/192

176 and the fact that its officers must embark on September 13 at the latest, the Belgian government not having granted them an extension of leave. All this induces me to think that it would be desirable and prudent to bring the Belgian regiment for some time either to Mexico or any neighbouring town; and it would be well to give the necessary orders. You will please give me your opinion on this question, as important as it is disagreeable.

Accept, my dear marshal, the assurance of the sentiments of sincere friendship, with which I am your very affectionate,

It must be stated here, that Maximilian only subsequently learned that the King of the Belgians had authorised his officers to prolong their stay in Mexico until the month of April 1867. But, unfortunately, the despatch from Brussels, dated July 30, 1866, and addressed to the Belgian chargé d'affaires at Mexico, was lost for six weeks, and did not reach this diplomatist, as he asserted, until October 21, at a time when all the Belgian officers but five had set sail for Europe.

Following the example of this foreign contingent, the national army was in a state of complete dissolution. In consequence of the poverty of the treasury, the imperial edifice was giving way on all sides. The cazadores themselves, this last resource for evil days, who had hitherto rendered important services, whose French commanders, too, did not hesitate to risk their lives, were threatened with extinction for want of money and recruits. Thanks to the course of action which the new ministry adopted, the public officials, the imperial prefects, and the great landed proprietors, who all took their watchword from Mexico, refused to provide soldiers. The clerical party, who wanted to have Maximilian delivered up to them bound hand and foot, employed all the means in their power to shake