Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/266

250 His majesty the emperor, in carrying out the execution of his designs, is employed in the measures necessary for the formation of the Mexican army, and in organising the forces which are to uphold the empire. He hopes that M. the Marshal Bazaine will be pleased to give orders, as far as it lies with him, to the French chief-commandants, that the Mexican troops, the military establishments and magazines, should now remain at the exclusive disposal of his majesty. His majesty also assumes that the French troops, so long as they stay in the country, will protect the authorities and inhabitants in the districts which they occupy, without undertaking any distant expeditions.

This co-operation, the points of which are specified in the note of November 7, above quoted, is gratefully accepted by his majesty.

His majesty the emperor desires us also to state, that any question relative to the matters spoken of in this note, or which may be called forth by the resolution he has adopted, may be discussed with the president of the council of state, who, in this capacity, has signed his name first.

The rupture was now de facto consummated with the French government; and, from this day forward, Maximilian had no further direct communication with our head-quarters. The president of the council had the power of dealing with all questions, and of addressing himself to the three French representatives collectively. Maximilian well understood that the effects of the personal feeling of the commander-in-chief would disappear with his authority, and that the Mexican throne would henceforth have to treat with the aide-de-camp of Napoleon III. as if with the sovereign himself.

The sudden change in the political views of the