Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/198

 Palace of Mexico, September 15, 1866. My dear Marshal,—I think that advantage has been taken of your good faith in putting this ministerial modification before you as the commencement of an era of reaction which would be incompatible with the presence of two French generals amid their new colleagues.

My past actions, and my well known political tolerance are, I have a right to think, a sure pledge that the change will be one which events call for, and worthy both of my glorious allies and of myself.

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

Mexico, September 16, 1866. Sire,—In reply to the letter which your majesty sent me yesterday evening, I have the honour of acquainting you that I have called upon MM. Osmont and Friant to make their election between the duties which they are fulfilling in your majesty's service and those which have been assigned to them in the expeditionary corps; experience daily shows that their double functions are incompatible, and that annoyances are thereby caused such as the various services of the army have been too long suffering from.

It is not my province to express an opinion on the shade of political opinion which is represented by your majesty's new cabinet, and this is not the motive which has induced me to come to the above determination.

Immediately on my return to Mexico, I allowed MM. Osmont and Friant to remain in your majesty's service because the number of ministers was deficient; now that the cabinet is fully constituted, I thought that they might withdraw without inconvenience.

Nevertheless, I have the honour of repeating to your majesty, that I am quite disposed to afford to your government the co-operation of these officers, if they are willing to resign the functions they have to fill in the expeditionary corps.

I have written to my government to this effect by the last