Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/246

 CHAPTER XVIII.

HILST the American mission was being organised in Mr. Seward's cabinet, events were hurrying on in the Hacienda Jalapilla. It will be recollected that Maximilian, impelled by M. Eloïn's letter, had resolved to assemble a national congress—a project which he had for a long time cherished. He flattered himself that the convocation of this congress, as soon as the French had left, would settle peaceably the contest which was in progress between the monarchy and the republic. If the principle of which he was the representative failed to get the advantage in a popular vote—an issue, however, which he had foreseen—he would be at liberty to return proudly to Europe as a prince who had gracefully given up his throne, and as one who would be worthy to play his part in the affairs of his country. But, in order to maintain his power up to the time of the French evacuation, it was necessary for him to depend upon the party which still held the insurrection in check, and would at least give him the means of treating upon equal terms with the various liberal chiefs, and insure the execution of his scheme—that is, the free assembly in Mexico of all the 'notables' belonging to the territory called upon to