CHAPTER XIV.
French Officers in the Mexican Administration—Correspondence on this Subject—Marshal Bazaine's Acquiescence—Disavowed at Paris —Neglect of the Mexican Naval Department—Convention of July 30 —Sudden Alteration in the Views of the French Cabinet—The Mission of General Castelnau—Matters getting Worse in Mexico—Maximilian's Plans to ensure his safe Retreat—Marshal Bazaine receives fresh Orders from Paris—Mr. Seward's Despatch—Complaints of the Mexican Ministry rebutted by Marshal Bazaine—Mysterious Aim of General Castelnau's Mission—The Four-fold Drama—Maximilian's Protest.
THE commander-in-chief thought it right, for fear of thwarting Maximilian's projects whilst at a distance from him, to wait for his own return to Mexico before he came to any decision as to the selection of MM. Osmont and Friant as ministers. When he arrived, the new cabinet was not completely constituted; but as soon as its organisation was finished, the marshal gave the above high functionaries to understand that the presence of French officers in the Mexican council might give rise to incidents which would be annoying in a political point of view; but that it would be preferable, if they wished to connect themselves with the imperial fortunes, to resign their military positions, their prolonged absence from which might endanger the interests of the expeditionary corps. Notwithstanding their natural sympathies for the court of Mexico, the French officers could not consent, without the leave of their government, to forthwith quit their flag. This important question caused the following correspondence between the Palace of Mexico and our head-quarters:—
