Mr. Plumb to Mr.
Seward
No. 34.]
Legation of the United States,
City of Mexico,
November 9, 1867.
Sir: I am enabled to transmit to you herewith a
copy of the note recently received by this government from Count Beust,
asking in the name of the imperial house of Austria that the remains of
the Archduke Maximilian may be delivered to Vice-Admiral de Tegetthoff
for their removal to Europe; and a copy of the reply of the Mexican
government stating that the President of the republic accedes to the
request of the Emperor of Austria and the imperial family, and that the
remains will be immediately delivered to Vice-Admiral de Tegetthoff for
the purpose of their conveyance to Austria.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Count Beust to Señor Lerdo de Tejada
Vienna,
September 25, 1867.
Mr. Minister: The late Archduke Ferdinand
Maximilian having been taken away from his friends by a premature
death, his imperial and royal apostolic Majesty expresses the very
natural desire that the mortal remains of his unfortunate brother
may find a last resting place in the vault that holds the ashes of
the princes of the house of Austria.
This desire is also warmly felt by the father, mother, and the other
brothers of the illustrious deceased, and in general by all the
members of the imperial family.
The Emperor, my august master, hopes the Mexican government will
yield to a feeling of humanity and will not refuse to comfort the
just sorrows of his Majesty, by facilitating the realization of
these desires.
From these convictions Vice-Admiral Tegetthoff has been sent to
Mexico, with orders to beg of the President the remains of a beloved
brother of his imperial Majesty, that they may be carried to
Europe.
[Page 479]
As minister of the imperial household, I am instructed to request
your kind intercession to obtain the necessary permit for the
vice-admiral in this affair.
On asking you to express to the head-of your nation the gratitude of
the imperial family for the gratification of this natural desire,
and accepting for yourself thanks for your services, I take the
occasion to offer the assurance of my very high consideration.
BEUST, Chancellor of the Empire, and
Minister of the Imperial Household.
His Excellency Lerdo de Tejada,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mexico.
[Translation.]
Señor Lerdo de Tejada to
Count Beust
Department of Foreign Relations,
City of Mexico,
November 4, 1867.
Mr. Minister: Vice-Admiral Tegetthoff has
delivered me your note of the 25th September last. In it you say
that his Majesty the Emperor of Austria feels the very natural
desire that the mortal remains of his brother, the Archduke
Ferdinand Maximilian, should find a last resting place in the vault
that holds the ashes of the princes of the house of Austria; that
the father, mother, and brothers of the deceased archduke, as well
as other members of the imperial family, participate in the desire;
that his Majesty the Emperor hopes the government of Mexico, from a
feeling of humanity, will assist in realizing this desire, to effect
which Vice-Admiral Tegetthoff has been sent to Mexico to request the
President to permit the remains of the archduke to be taken to
Europe.
Conscious of the just sentiments expressed in your excellency’s note,
the President of the republic does not hesitate to gratify this
natural desire of his Majesty the Emperor of Austria and the
imperial family.
Instructed by the President, I have informed Vice-Admiral Tegetthoff
that the mortal remains of the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian will be
delivered to him immediately, to be carried to Europe, in compliance
with the object of his mission.
I have the honor to offer your excellency the assurances of my
distinguished consideration.
His Excellency Baron Beust,
Chancellor of the Empire and Minister of the
Imperial House of Austria, in Vienna.
