27
went to see him, and in very affectionate terms proposed the sale of Sonora and Lower California to France.» to which proposal Miramon replied that «although he had been President with extraordinary powers, he was at that moment nothing at all» M. de Morny replied: that «he would endeavour to bring about some form to obviate this dificulty, provided Miramon would agree to the views of France.» Miramon then put an end to the conversation by stating to M. de Morny that «if his own acts could yet have any force, he would not perform them to the injury of his country.» Perhaps this conversation was the cause of the harshness with which the French Government treated Miramon, notwithstanding that he had been President, that he had solicited the intervention, and that he was the chief of the Church party, and was also the cause of the desire of General Bazaine to get him out of Mexico, fearing that on account of his prestige, Miramon could be an obstacle to the realization of the views of France respecting Sonora, or to aid Doctor Gwin.»
He afterwards speaks of the secret additional articles of the Convention concluded between Napoleon III and Maximilian, and says:
«Page 204.—The fifth article is ambiguous. Being drawn up by the French Government, care was taken not to express the fact that when there was an equality of rank, the French officer, out of deference and policy, would command, and that when there was a chief or an officer of superior grade, he should command, whether he might be Mexican or French. Relying on this article, the French always tried to command the Mexican officers who were their superiors. Thus, Mexican colonels would be subordinated to French captains &c.
«The first of the secret additional articles shows very plainly that without regard to the Conservative principles, by deceiving the persons who formed that party and hoaxing the monarchists, Napoleon and Maximilian, at-
