Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/247

Rh give an opinion. Now Father Fischer held in his hand all the threads of the plot constructing by the clerical party, and never ceased to hold out before Maximilian's eyes the pretended resources of the party of which he called himself the head. Just at this decisive moment the royal confessor received a powerful reinforcement. Generals Marquez and Miramon, whom the crown had dismissed to Europe about two years before, had just landed at Vera Cruz; some hours after, this mysterious visit was signalled at La Soledad. The day after they landed, forgetful of their disgrace, and feeling unable to turn a deaf ear to the appeal of their party, they presented themselves at Jalapilla, ready to throw their swords into the scale; and, if Maximilian consented to give himself up to the clerical party, prepared to open the campaign again under the imperial banners. Maximilian hesitated no longer; he passed his word to the clerical party, whom he engaged to reinstate in their property and honours. Miramon, fortified with the imperial promise, which was, however, to be kept secret for a few days, hurried to Mexico to communicate this important news to the ministers and council of state, to rekindle the zeal of all the partizans of the church, and to take the steps necessary to set on foot another army, and to get together twenty millions of francs in the imperial treasury.

From this time Maximilian, no longer feeling himself isolated, adopted a decided course with the French authorities. The report of the negotiations opened by our diplomatists with the liberal chiefs, and of Mr. Campbell's mission, sent by President Johnson to Juarez, had found its way to Jalapilla. The sovereign learned also from his tools at Washington that various agents had been sent from Paris to expedite his downfall.