Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/317

 to contribute by its own labour and by the resources which it derived from its own stores, to augmenting the means of action which it left in the hands of the Mexican government.

Before embarking, the marshal entrusted to the care of M. Bureau, the imperial commissioner, a final message for the unhappy prince.

To the Admiral commanding the squadron. Vera Cruz, March 7, 1867. Monsieur l'Amiral,—I have handed over to the Mexican military authorities in the capital, at Puebla and at Orizaba, all the arsenals and the military establishments in a perfect state of repair, with the cannon and a full complement of ammunition; the fortifications also, and the detached works, all in the best possible state of defence, everything being understood to be the property of Mexico.

So much for the capital and the places situated on my line of retreat.

My intention was to act in the same way at Vera Cruz, and to make no additions to the resources of the garrison. Nevertheless, as H.E. the minister of France has concluded a new arrangement with the Mexican government, modifying the convention of July 30th, 1866, by which the Mexican government engages to pay monthly to France a sum of 50,000 piastres (250,000 francs), I have been obliged to look to securing for the longest possible time the payment of this sum, which cannot be a matter of indifference to the French treasury ; and, in fact, represents the interest of a considerable portion of the Mexican loans.

For this reason I have thought it right to give to M. Bureau, the imperial commissioner, everything that I had at my disposal in the way of arms, munition of war, harness, articles for encamping, &c. &c. It is, in fact, to our interest to enable this official to hold the city after the departure of the expeditionary corps.

Another reason, also, has prompted this resolution; this is the propriety, in my opinion, of ensuring to H.M. the Emperor Maximilian, without in any way binding the policy of our