Hon. William H. Seward, &c., & c., & c.
[Translation.]
Vera Cruz,
November 1, 1866.
Maximilian has not embarked, nor will he probably embark for some
days. The French hinder his departure until he signs an act of
abdication.
An indiscretion of the commander of the Dandolo frustrated the
embarcation of Maximilian, who was going off; and—you may
wonder—without Bazaine suspecting it! This seems extraordinary, but
is the case, notwithstanding.
[Page 393]
From his leaving Mexico the rumor ran that the Austrian was going
off; but this did not go beyond rumor, and as, any way, the
ministers were the first in giving assurance that the journey to
Orizaba was like the former one to Cuernavaca, and nothing on the
part of Maximilian indicated the project of flight; thus you have
the reason why in Mexico they did not give greater credit to the
public rumor, and Bazaine slept at ease.
But the Austrian had his plan ready, and would have gone off with his
following, but for the indiscretion of the commander of the Dandolo,
as I have already said. This captain received a despatch from
Maximilian at half past twelve at night, before last, warning him to
have his frigate ready by five o’clock in the afternoon of the
following day, at which time he would be here and embark at
once.
As soon as it dawned the Austrian captain ran to the house of the
French commander, Monsieur Peyran, and in confidence communicated
the message he had received, taking leave of him, and asking his
orders for Trieste.
Mr. Peyran hastened to the telegraph and communicated the news to
Bazaine, who knew nothing of a journey so close at hand; who
immediately cut off all telegraphic communication from the public,
and began to give orders to the French authorities at Orizaba,
Cordova, and Vera Cruz, and addressed Maximilian himself, informing
him that he had knowledge of his projects of flight, and making him
understand that if he did not abdicate in form he would not let him
embark.
All this is true; it has happened, and I know it from a person very
closely connected and in the confidence of Commander Peyran.
Maximilian sought to deceive the French, and owing to the
indiscretion of the commander of the Dandolo has been caught in his
own net.
The basis of the French to ground upon and justify his retirement, is
abdication. Maximilian abdicating, they declare their engagements at
an end; but Maximilian going off without abdicating or renouncing
the throne, and declaring, as they say was his intention, all his
“griefs against the French,” these rest in a very bad position;
immense ridicule would have-fallen on them, from all of which they
have escaped. Why should you not be assured that this weakness of
spirit of the Austrian will make him go through everything; and he
will sign, not one, but twenty abdications. His voyage has been
postponed only a few days. In whatever way it may be, this
ridiculous imperial farce must end ridiculously.
I have been assured that from this day the French are masters of the
revenues from this custom-house; they using, and none but they, the
whole of the duties collected.
The political prefecture is at an end, and from this day the French
superior in command is also political prefect; or, better said, from
this day forth there is none other than military-administration.
