Count Wydenhruck to Mr. Seward.
The confirmation contained in your telegram of to-day’s date of the tragical event of the 19th of June will destroy the last glimmer of hope entertained by the imperial family of Austria as to the fate of the unfortunate Emperor Maximilian. Under these melancholy circumstances, it would be extremely desirable for me to be able to apprise my court of the steps which have been taken by the United States government, in compliance with the pressing application which I had the honor to address to you on the 29th of May last.
On the 1st of June I informed my government, by cable, of the contents of your telegram of the same date, (kindly communicated to me by Mr. Frederick Seward,) by which you instructed Mr. Campbell to proceed, without delay, to Juarez’s headquarters, with the mission to intervene for the protection of the life of the illustrious prisoner. Until the 17th of June I indulged the hope that Mr. Campbell was on his journey to execute your mission. I was then startled by the newspaper reports, confirmed by the official offer made to General Stead-man on the same day, that. Mr. Campbell, declining to proceed to Mexico, had resigned his post.
Although it does not become me to inquire as to the action of the State Department, I feel convinced that you, Mr. Secretary of State, taking into account the peculiarity of the circumstances, and sharing my desire to offer to the afflicted family of my august sovereign the only consolation now possible, will not object to let me know if you have been able, notwithstanding Mr. Campbell’s inopportune resignation, to carry out your intervention in favor of the illustrious victim we deplore to-day.
[Page 570]The Austrian chargé d’affaires in Mexico informs me that Juarez refuses to deliver up the body of the unfortunate prince. This is a cruel aggravation of the unspeakable grief of the imperial family of Austria.
I have the honor to remain, Mr. Secretary of State, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.