Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/70

 members of this caste so worthy of interest were subjected by the Mexican authorities.

Mexico, November 16, 1864.

Sire,—I was visited yesterday by a certain Manuel Medel, sub-prefect and ex-commandant of Tepeji de la Seda, who has just been dismissed by M. Pardo, political prefect of the department of Puebla. I only know Manuel Medel by the reputation for honesty and energy which he bears in the country. His excellency Marshal Forey thought right to nominate him as a chevalier of the Legion of Honour on account of the vigorous resistance he offered to the Juarists. Medel is a true-born Indian, of the energetic type and somewhat timid manners peculiar to this race. He professes the utmost devotion to the empire and the very best intentions, referring back to what he has already done as an evidence in favour of his principles.

I am not aware what motives M. Pardo can have had for dismissing him, and I must refer it to your majesty, who will, I am sure, listen to a servant who is the only Indian of the civil service wearing the insignia of the Legion of Honour, and may thus be able to convince yourself of the truth, and to appreciate the facts in their real light...

This act, done in the name of the emperor, cooled the devotion of many a one.

The subject of finances began to be a question of life or death for the infant empire. At the time when he first trod the Mexican soil, Maximilian ought to have surveyed in all its aspects this monster which was to destroy him. But he brought with him some great misconceptions as to the financial power of his adopted country, and as to its mineral resources. He had fancied that the mere appearance of the French flag floating; over the distant central towns would be sufficient to re-establish the circulation of capital; and from his palace at Chapultepec, where he was about to sink large sums in the restoration of the building, and