Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/89

 It has been shown that the want of energy in other commanders made them unworthy of the confidence reposed in them, and, finally, it has convinced me that my orders relating to the preparations for the defence of the towns held by the Mexican army have not been executed.

Monterey has actually been captured by means of its defenders, because none of my recommendations were followed by them.

The retreat of Negrete, caused by the opposition that he encountered at Matamoros, and by the landing of the French troops at Bagdad, plainly shows how little confidence that Juarist chief had in his soldiers, and authorises the suppositions which I have had the honour of suggesting above. . ..

The marshal then enumerated the orders which he had given, recounting to his majesty in detail the movements which he had directed, the works which were in hand, and the marches which had been concerted to recapture the town of Monterey, and to reconquer the state of Tamaulipas, and to scatter or blockade the rebels; he then entered on the question regarding the Confederates:—

. . . I have the honour of repeating to your majesty that all my arrangements are made for meeting the former contingencies.

It is possible that, when the Confederate general Slaughter, who is in command at Brownsville, hears of the disasters of his party, and the capture by the Federals of President Jefferson Davis, he may lay down his arms, like the other Southern generals; but it is also not improbable that the proximity of the Mexican territory may induce him to come across to the right bank of the river, and to take refuge with his disarmed corps in a friendly country.

International law fully authorises an asylum being given under these conditions to a conquered army. After the preliminary disarming of the Southern force, would it not be possible to form between Monterey and the Saltillo, on the lands belonging to the state in this district, groups of colonists,