Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/90

 who would in this case constitute a line of defence against the irruptions of the filibusters?. ..

The marshal did not conceal either the inconvenience or the danger of a measure of this sort; but it was important to obtain American allies. Amidst the perplexing embarrassments which the universal apathy of the Mexicans could not unravel, it became a necessity to act. He discerned so thoroughly the state of matters, and knew so well the necessity of considering the susceptibilities of Yankee pride as regarded monarchy, that he went on to say:—

. . . I point out this contingency to your majesty that you may be pleased to give the instructions you consider most fitting to meet the events.

It appears to me to be a matter of urgent necessity that an imperial commissioner should be sent to Matamoros, and I will take the liberty of observing to your majesty that a civil commissioner, provided with political powers, appears to me to be more fit to fulfil a mission in this quarter than a military one would be, since General Mejia has acquired a certain influence there in this respect.

The news of an asylum being granted to General Slaughter's army might excite the irritable temper of the Yankees to produce fresh and serious difficulties.

I scarcely notice the contingency of any desperate resistance being made by the remains of the Southern forces in Texas; the issue could be neither doubtful nor delayed.

Nevertheless, as every event must be provided against, I think that this latter state of things would be most dangerous for the northern frontier of Mexico. The American armies invading Texas would be formidable neighbours to the empire, and would increase the necessity for your majesty having an agent at Matamoros on whose devotion you could fully rely.

The commander-in-chief concluded by stating that he was prepared against every emergency, but he begged the emperor not to neglect measures which