Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/46

30 to remain at the mercy of the Juarists, who either shot or hanged them. Thus an unhappy renown had gone before us in Mexico. Besides, the haciendas of the 'notables' themselves, scattered as they were over the neighbouring provinces, would, in case of the faithlessness of their owners, become the prey of an enemy ready enough to exercise their vengeance. Now, we were quite unable to give them any efficient protection.

Nevertheless, in spite of non-attendances which were to be regretted, a phantom of a junta was got together, held a meeting, and voted, accompanied by the sound of the cannon, which proclaimed the birth of the empire. The Licenciado Aquilar read a remarkable report, full of good intentions, deciding for a monarchy, and proposing to offer the crown to the Archduke Maximilian. A commission, of which the author of the report was nominated a member, was appointed to proceed to the chateau of Miramar, passing through Paris and Rome, and to be the bearers of the requisite documents and an imperial sceptre.

This page of history was but little worthy of the country whose name is connected with it; France owed another homage to universal suffrage. One ought to have taken a part in this episode of the intervention in order to estimate it at its true value. This memorable meeting of the junta will ever be a deplorable example of an outrage against truth. Not but that a portion of the assembly, anxious for safety and quiet, had not really cast its eyes on a prince whose virtues could not fail to be a great stimulus for Mexico, but the assembly as a whole had neither authority nor character sufficient to enable it to pledge the whole