Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/290

 of vitality. A federal combination would have been the only system to be attempted in the face of the Union, who would no doubt have acceded to it, if the South had been recognised by France at the proper time. My advice is that your majesty should voluntarily retire.' Just as they were separating, Maximilian remarked to the marshal: 'I put the greatest confidence in you, and I beg that you will be present at a Junta that I am going to convoke on Monday, January 14, at the palace at Mexico. I shall myself be present, and there you must repeat all that you think. If the majority entertain your opinion, I shall leave; if they desire that I should remain, the matter is settled. I shall remain, because I do not wish to look like a soldier who throws away his musket to run away the faster from the battle-field.'

This manly language was well worthy of the race of Hapsburg. The next day the marshal received a summons, which was sent to him by the president of the council of ministers:—

Mexico, January 11, 1867. Marshal,—His majesty the emperor desiring to learn, confidentially and amicably, the opinion of your excellency and of other persons on a matter of deep importance, desires me to address your excellency, and to beg that you will be good enough to be present at the meeting which will take place at the Government Palace on Monday next, the 4th instant, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. 6em President of the council of ministers.

Maximilian's strength of will was unable to carry out his resolution. When the marshal proceeded to the palace at Mexico, at the time appointed for the meeting, he was received by an assembly of forty persons. But he was informed that the Emperor had relinquished the idea of being present at the Junta.