Departure for Europe. 229 



This release was taken by Baron Magnus to Vera Cruz, and 

 communicated on November 13 to my husband, with the 

 request to report to the commander of the city. The Prince 

 intended to leave for Europe in the English steamer sailing on 

 December 3, and telegraphed for me to come. 1 answered 

 that I would be with him in four days. 



When Salm reported to the commander of Vera Cruz, this 

 gentleman insisted on his leaving by the next steamer, the 

 ' Panama,' which started on November 15, at eleven o'clock 

 A.M., and to his great regret he had to obey orders. 



My despair may be imagined when I arrived the following 

 day. 



I resolved not to return to Mexico, though I had left there 

 all my things, and not to wait in Vera Cruz for the next Euro- 

 pean steamer either, but to sail at once in a little French 

 steamer to New Orleans, and from there to New York, where 

 I hoped to procure means to go as soon as possible^to Europe, 

 lor I had very little money. 



It was a rather disagreeable voyage, for coming from a hot 

 climate I had no clothes suitable for a cold country; and 

 arriving in the Metropolitan Hotel, in New York, I had to 

 keep in my room until some were made for me. 



1 was quite astonished at the reception I had in New York. 

 When my arrival was made known in the papers I received an 

 immense quantity of bouquets from everywhere, and wherever 

 I showed myself, in the hotel or in the street, people crowded 

 and cheered me. I was much affected by this unexpected 

 show of sympathy. 



From New York I went to Washington to see my sister, and 

 also President Johnson, and other persons who had assisted 

 my husband, to thank them. 



Though I required some rest after so much trouble and ex- 

 citement, I longed to join my husband, and after having pro- 

 cured the money I required, I left New York for Brest, on 

 December 28, on board the ' Ville de Paris.* 



