1C2 Ten Years of my Life. 



also with the best ways and means in which to work upon 

 them, Baron Magnus had suggested to the Emperor the idea 

 of sending me to Washington on a secret diplomatic mission, 

 accompanied by a most powerfully ally — two millions of dollars 

 in gold. 



The proposition pleased me very much, tor success seemed 

 by no means improbable, and the importance of the mission 

 and the confidence placed in me flattered m.y ambition. I 

 therefore placed myself at the disposition of the Emperor, but 

 Salm opposed my going alone to the United States, and 

 insisted on going with me. He had very little diplomatic 

 talent, and did not understand how to deal with Americans as 

 I did. I knew that he would rather render my task more 

 difficult, but as he obstinately insisted I could not refuse him. 



It was arranged that we should dine with the Emperor on 

 Tuesday, the 23rd of October, in Chapultepec, where our 

 transactions would be less' observed than in Mexico. 



I had not yet been presented to the Emperor, for as the 

 Empress had left he did not receive any ladies at court. 



Our dinner-party, and afterwards the whole scheme, was, 

 however, frustrated by a most unexpected event, which created 

 confusion and consternation everywhere. On Sunday, the 

 2ist October, the Emperor suddenly left Mexico, and went to 

 Orizava, with the intention of returning at once to Europe. 

 He had received the news of the distressing illness of the 

 Empress. 



After the first effects of this news v/ere over, Maximilian 

 remembered what he owed, not only to his position, but also 

 to all those who had embarked in his cause. He could not 

 run away as it were from the battle-field, and if he really 

 resolved on giving up his high-flying and noble plans, he saw 

 that he must abdicate in a manner becoming an Archduke of 

 Austria. This abdication was the great desire of the French, 

 and they did all they eould to bring him into such a position 

 as to make any other decision almost impossible. In this 

 endeavour Bazaine was assisted by the Austrian and Belgian 

 Ministers, while, on the other hand, Miramon, Marquez, and 

 Father Fischer hurried to Orizava, to entreat the Emperor to 

 ressain, and to rely on the Mexican people, promising that 

 everything would go well if only the hated French would leave 

 th.e country. • • 



