206 Ten Years of my Life. 



effect on the affairs of the Emperor. The gentlemen — so it ap- 

 peared at least to me — misunderstood their position in reference 

 to the repubhcan Government. Their manner and tone may- 

 have been perfectly correct and proper, and as it became the 

 representatives of great Powers ; but they seemed to forget a 

 most essential thing — that they were not accredited to the 

 Liberal Government, but to an Emperor, who was looked upon 

 as an usurper, and who was now on his trial for treason. They 

 further forgot that the Liberal Government cared but little for 

 all those Powers whom they represented, as they knew ex- 

 tremely well that none of them could do them much harm, 

 because they were protected by the United States, which pro- 

 tection proved powerful enough to drive out of Mexico one of 

 the most powerful princes of Europe. 



Baron Magnus's behaviour made on me the most ludicrous 

 impression, and it would have afforded me much amusement 

 if the circumstances had not been so serious. He strutted 

 about inflated with serio-comic diplomatical importance — a 

 Cardinal Richelieu, Prince Talleyrand, Prince Metternich, and 

 Prince Bismarck Avrapped up in one Baron Magnus ! When 

 he, after his arrival, went to see General Escobedo, and pre- 

 sented himself as the minister of Prussia, that irreverential 

 Republican General put him down ^ peg or two by telling him 

 that he had nothing to do with the representative of Prussia, 

 which did not recognise his Government ; that he would re- 

 ceive him only as Mr. Magnus, a friend of Maximiliano ; and 

 that he would give him any facility which he desired in refe- 

 rence to the defence of the prisoner. 



The two lawyers were to go immediately to San Luis Potosi, 

 to see how matters stood there, and what was best to be done 

 in the interest of their client. As I had seen Mr. Juarez and 

 Mr. Iglesia before, and spoken to both about the position of 

 the Emperor, Baron Magnus told me that the two lawyers would 

 call on me, and requested me to give them as much informa- 

 tion as I could in reference to the views and feelings of these 

 two important personages. As they were very busy I preferred 

 calling upon them, and I told them that Mr. Iglesia appeared 

 to be rather well-disposed and inclined to listen to conditions. 

 I told them that Mr. Iglesia had not altogether rejected the 

 idea of an arrangement, and the suggestion that the European 

 powers might perhaps be willing to guarantee the war debt it 



