Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/250

230 Castelnau was moreover instructed to hasten the departure of the French troops, now fixed for the spring of 1867, in one mass, on the ground that evacuation in detachments might expose the last division to the combined onslaught of the rapidly swelling republican armies. This measure was also intended to impress Maximilian with the necessity of abdicating before his position became wholly untenable, and thus promote the installation of a new government favorable to France and acceptable to the United States.

Advised beforehand of Napoleon's desire, and recognizing that Maximilian could not sustain himself, Bazaine began to recommend abdication. The moment proved favorable. The efforts of the new conservative cabinet to collect means served only to expose their poverty; news had arrived of Charlotte's failure at Paris, and the discouraging aspect was rendered still gloomier by the delicate health of the emperor. Now on the 18th of October came the