Mr. Iglesia's Assistance, 197 



toilet, but hastened at once to the residence of juarez. At 

 that moment he had a Cabinet meeting, and could not receive 

 me. He requested, however, that I would send in the letter 

 of the Emperor, which I declined to do, as I had promised to 

 give it into no other hands but his own. I sent him, however, 

 the letter of Escobedo, and he, appointed nine o'clock a.m. 

 next day as the hour he could receive me. 



The brother of Mr. Bahnsen accompanied me next morning 

 to the President, whom I found again in company with Mr. 

 Iglesia. He took my letter, read it, handed it to his minister, 

 and said, ' That the time for the proceeding against Maximilian 

 was fixed at three days by the law, and that he, after having 

 considered the case, regretted that he could not grant the 

 requested delay.' 



I addressed myself to Mr. Iglesia, and pleaded the Empe- 

 ror's cause as well as I could. I declared that it was barba- 

 rous to shoot a prisoner without having given him even time 

 for his defence, and to treat him as a traitor who had come in 

 the honest belief that he had been elected and called by the 

 Mexican people. A few days more could not be of any im- 

 portance to the Government, and even prudence dictated to 

 the Government not to show such improper haste. They 

 might reflect on the consequences, and that not only Europe, 

 but all the civilised world would be indignant at the Mexican 

 Government if it acted in such a hasty, cruel manner. 



' Well, Mr. Juarez,' I said, ' pray reserve your decision until 

 at least five o'clock this atcernoon. Should you remain of the 

 same determination, then J will return to Queretaro, Heaven 

 knows with how sad a heart.' 



Mr. Iglesia saw me to the door, and T spoke to him what 

 my heart prompted me to say. He did not answer, but pressed 

 my hand in a manner which seemed to promise his assistance. 



When I returned at five o'clock he came to meet me with a 

 happy, smiling face, and without saying one word he handed 

 me the precious order granting the desired delay. I was so 

 overjoyed that I nearly hugged that worthy gentleman. I 

 wished to see Mr. Juarez .n order that I might thank him, but 

 he was out. 



Though I was told that the order for the respite would be 

 telegraphed to Queretaro, I was anxious to return thither im- 

 mediately, and declining the escort of the Mexican *')artner of 



