In the early part of February 1866, the situation of the empire was most critical. The state treasury was completely exhausted, and the Mexican army was calling loudly for its pay. When the French officers remained two months under the walls of Puebla without touching any pay, and when our soldiers also have occasionally waited for the arrival of their money, their bivouac was none the less gay, thanks to our magnificent administrative organisation, which so fully provides for every necessity in a campaign.
But when money was deficient, the Mexican troops would have died of hunger if they had not turned into bands of marauders. The commander-in-chief knew too well the military elements of the Mexican army not to fear that treason and confusion would immediately follow pillage; and he judged it to be his duty to take the best means he could to prevent it. For the sake of the imperial throne, which now seemed ready to break up, he assumed the responsibility of authorising the French paymaster-general to make an advance of five millions, which were required for the subsistence of the imperialists.
We have selected the following letter from the emperor, out of many others, as worthy of being quoted, because it exactly points out the nature of the relations existing at this period between our headquarters and the court of Mexico, now tried by misfortune:—
Palais de Mexico, February 5, 1866.
My dear Marshal,—I have just learnt the valuable service which you have rendered to my government, by coming to its help at the time of a difficult financial crisis.
Be pleased to receive my most sincere thanks for the discretion and kindness which you have exercised in this delicate matter, which, to me, doubles the value of the service.—Your very affectionate Maximilian.