respected and obeyed, endeavoring in the document which we inserted in our last number,[1] that even after his death the strife between the Mexicans should continue, and this even after the genuine will of Mexico has evidently been made clear to him, we consider that the execution of this Prince has been made indispensable under every aspect, because it is very likely that, according to his tenacity and obstinacy, he might make another attempt and risk the peace of the Republic."
It may be said, and with reason, that such utterances were based upon prejudice and ignorance of the true character of documents referred to. The histories of the most enlightened nations do not fail to teem with instances of equally popular and erroneous convictions having for the time being the force of truth. It seems possible in this way that the magnanimous, single-minded, courteously expressed suggestions of clemency offered by the American Department of State may have been productive of sufficient evil to undo the good.
To return to our double-ender.
A few days and nights of steady, unremitting work sufficed to prepare her for another cruise, and at daylight of the 17th of June she quietly left Pen-
- ↑ Referring to Maximilian's last decree, dated June 10, 1867, in view of his possible death, appointing a regency of three persons, Don Theodosio Lares, Don José M. de Lacunza, and General Leonardo Marquez, to carry on the Empire.
