WITH MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 199 



families had been located there. Other colonies had 

 been established by that time in Chihuahua by Bryant 

 of Arkansas, on Rio Verde in San Luis Potosi by Mitchell 

 of Missouri, and in Jalisco by Terrell of Texas. Further- 

 more, the last of February, 1866, two ship loads of 

 immigrants, who had been refused permission by General 

 Sheridan to embark from New Orleans, arrived at 

 Vera Cruz by way of Havana. This was the condition 

 of immigration when Maury left Mexico for a visit with 

 his family in England. 



Tentative permission for such a visit had been granted 

 in September of the preceding year, and early in the 

 following year Maximilian graciously made good his 

 promise in the following letter: "My dear Counselor 

 ]y[auj.y^_I have the pleasure of answering your kind 

 letter of the 22nd of January in which you express your 

 just desire to see your family again. If on the one hand 

 I behold with regret your absence for some time from 

 the Capital where you are so effectively helping us with 

 your intelligence; on the other hand, I realize that it is 

 quite necessary to fulfill one's most sacred duties toward 

 one's family, and in consideration of this I cannot oppose 

 your voyage, and my only wish is that you carry it out 

 successfully and that you return with your family. 

 I hope furthermore on returning from my journey to 

 Cuemavaca to see you in Mexico (City) before you 

 undertake yours, in order to take leave of you in person. 

 Your most affectionate, Maximilian". 



This letter was accompanied by one from the Empress, 



as follows: 



"My dear Sir,— I have spoken to the Emperor re- 

 specting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes 

 me to tell you first, that he grants you a complete leave 



