Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/318

302 country, a place of refuge where he may find an asylum and the means of embarkation, should circumstances reduce him to it. In order to increase the strength of the place and to give the garrison greater confidence, I have wished to increase their resources in munitions of war, and especially in powder. I also think that it would be well to place at the disposal of the Mexican authority a small steamer which could protect the city from the attempts of armed bands from the neighbouring rebel population.

Following out the ideas explained above, I beg you, monsieur l'amiral, to let me know if you could spare 40 to 50 hundred-weights of powder from the stores of the fleet; and if, among the gun-boats now in the roadstead, one might not be found which could be made over to the Mexican government by the use of certain formalities, which would have the effect of doing away with any interpretation compromising to our policy. The gun-boat might, for instance, be denationalised and sold as unfit for service, and as not being worth sending back to France.

The gun-boat La Tourmente has been pointed out to me as one fulfilling these conditions.

I again repeat that I see in these measures a means of ensuring to our country the payment of an important sum; next, of protecting our countrymen for a more prolonged period, and strengthening the position and influence of our consul; and, finally, of enabling the young emperor, who is, at this time, running all the hazards of a conflict which may probably go against him, to find a point strong enough to cover his retreat and embarkation.

In acting as I have done, I have the full consciousness that I have fulfilled the wishes of my sovereign; and I should be glad to find that it would be possible for you to second me without exceeding the limits of your instructions which must principally guide your decision.

On the 11th of March, 1867, at eight o'clock in the morning, the French commandant at Vera Cruz handed over the place, as well as the Mexican artillery and stores, to General Perez Gomez, who assumed the charge of both in the name of his emperor.