Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/64

 selfishness. If they felt assured of their security under our flag, they would get accustomed to a mischievous state of tutelage, which would certainly result in scattering our army over every part of the territory, and in preventing it from operating opportunely as a compact force. The only efficient system for raising and maintaining the energies of the inhabitants was traversing the country by movable columns, which, radiating in every direction, would afford protection to the towns and to the haciendas, would furnish them with arms, and would even help them in arranging their means of defence. The following was the plan the commander-in-chief adopted:—

Mexico, July 4, 1864.

Sire,—I have the honour of informing your majesty that I think the time has now come for despatching movable columns to traverse the mountainous country between Tulancingo, Zacuatilpan, Llanos de Apam, Perote, and Jalapa, extending on the north as far as Huexutla, and on the east to Tampico.

The sierras into which this mountainous range is divided are difficult of access, but contain some tolerably important centres of population. Numerous bands are infesting the sierras, capturing the inhabitants for sake of ransom, impeding the communications, and spreading disorder and uneasiness, thereby keeping up a state of anarchy. My intention would be to send from Mexico a light French column of about 600 men of all arms, another weaker column from Pachuca, and lastly, from Jalapa and Perote, a third column of mixed troops.

These movable columns, traversing the sierra in every direction, will repel the insurgents, and thus, giving time to the inhabitants to arm and organise for their defence, will have the effect of exciting their too easily depressed energies.

But it will not be possible to appoint permanent French garrisons. It is now a suitable time to explain to your majesty the hurtful tendency which the whole population manifest, of never thinking themselves in safety except behind the shelter of our bayonets. Whenever our troops have