to reduce the French troops as soon as possible to 25,000, including the foreign legion. This body, serving to insure the object of the intervention, should evacuate the country as soon as the forces could be organized to take their place; yet the foreign legion of 8,000 was to remain, if required, for six years after the above withdrawal, sustained from this time by the Mexican government. The transport service for French military supplies must be paid by the same government with 400,000 francs for the round trip; likewise the cost of the French expedition, fixed at 270,000,000 francs for the whole time, till July 1, 1864, with interest at three per cent per annum. After this date the expenses of the Mexican army rested with Mexico, which had also to give 1,000 francs for the maintenance of each French soldier, pay included. Against these sums the Mexican government had to pay at once 66,000,000 in bonds of the late loan, at the rate of issue,[1] and 25,000,000 in specie annually.[2] A mixed commission of three Frenchmen and three Mexicans was to meet at Mexico within three months, to adjust the claims of French citizens.[3] All Mexican prisoners of war held by the French were to be released as soon as Maximilian entered his states. In additional secret articles, Maximilian approved of the French policy as outlined in Forey's proclamation of June 11, 1863, and subsequently through Bazaine and the regency, and he promised to so express himself in a manifesto to the people. Napoleon promised, on his side, that the French force of 38,000 men should be reduced only gradually, 28,000 thereof remaining in 1865, 25,000
- ↑ Of which 54,000,000 to go against the debt of 270,000,000, and 12,000,000 against claims of French citizens.
- ↑ To be credited, first, against transport service and maintenance of troops; next, interest and capital of debt; and lastly, claims of French citizens. The sum needed for maintenance of French troops to be paid at the close of every month.
- ↑ A revisionary commission had afterward to meet at Paris to liquidate the claims admitted by the body at Mexico, deciding upon any left in abeyance.
