CHAPTER VIII.
Disasters in the Empire—Dissensions between the Foreign Contingents and Mexican Troops—The Empress Charlotte's Opinion of the French Army—Difficulty in paying the Troops, and consequent Desertions—Maximilian's Project to subdue Yucatan—'Its Impolicy—The two Chances for the Empire—Poverty of the Mexican Troops—Pecuniary Help rendered by Marshal Bazaine—M. de Lacunza's Moving Appeal to Marshal Bazaine—Meeting at the Imperial Palace—Maximilian speaks out—Yankee Intrigues—American Dictation to France—Mr. Seward's Note—Maximilian secretly sacrificed.
WE are now entering upon the period of those disastrous events which gradually crushed down the Mexican empire. A just idea may, we hope, have been formed as to the errors which caused them. The following pages, describing step by step the long agony of an empire, will surprise by the recital of sudden events, of solemn promises trodden under foot, of strange and unexpected political changes, through which the policy of the French and Mexican courts (soon to be at variance) will finally shatter itself to pieces against the arrogant threats of the United States. The year 1866 began under sad auspices. In the early part of January, disaffection began to show itself on all sides in the very heart of the empire. The breath of rebellion had passed over all the high plateaus. Bands of guerilleros were devastating Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Zacatecas, the states bordering on the Union. Pachuca had risen at the very gates of the capital, and Michoacan had raised the standard of revolt. 'Long live the Northern Intervention!'—this was the insurgents' rallying cry; they claimed the
