Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/306

 By pointing out to his majesty the Emperor of Mexico the conduct which his ministers are pursuing towards me in his name, I believe I am performing a last act of confidence and loyalty.

I believe that I am still rendering a service to the emperor in trying to enlighten him on the tendencies and perfidious insinuations of a faction which meets with but very little sympathy, the leaders of which are misusing the ascendancy which they believe they possess and the confidence they are able to inspire, to prepare for your majesty and Mexico an era of sanguinary reprisals, of grievous catastrophes, of complete ruin and anarchy, and of humiliations without number.

I have the honour of informing your majesty that, more than ever desirous of preserving the esteem and friendship with which you have been pleased to favour me, I have acquainted the president of the council that, looking at the language of the aforesaid letter, I do not wish for the future to hold any direct communication with the administration of which he is the president.

I must add, sire, that the officers appointed by General Marquez are in daily communication with the commanders of the engineers and artillery of the French army in order to make themselves conversant with the state of the fortifications, defences, and the provision of stores, arms, and munitions in the city.

Your majesty having signified your desire to know beforehand the date at which I shall leave Mexico, I have the honour of informing you that my departure, with the last contingents of the expeditionary corps, will take place in the first half of the month of February.

Up to the last moment, sire, I shall be always ready to comply with any wish that your majesty may be pleased to express, and I shall always feel disposed to make my efforts coincide with your desires.

This despatch was the last official communication addressed to the crown from our head-quarters.

The evening before, the marshal had written to the president of the council as follows:—