In all this lay a great deal of truth. The French had encountered obstacles, but they were mainly connected with the nature of the undertaking, and not due to the Maximilian government. Deceived with regard to his expedition, Napoleon had deceived the archduke; and now discovering his mistake, he resolved to ignore the spirit of the compact, and disregard the various promises held forth.[1] Fortunately for himself, he would save appearances to some extent by pointing to the letter of the Miramare convention, followed near enough by him for all essential purposes, while Mexico could give no hope of fulfilling her part. Maximilian was accordingly to be sacrificed-a victim to a sanguine and over-confiding nature.
Charlotte found Napoleon obdurate.[2] Thereupon she proceeded to Rome in such a frame of mind that she became insane.[3]
- ↑ Instance only the utterances of Rouher at the issue of the last loan, and the order then issued to Bazaine to retain all needed forces. Charlotte brought copies of two letters of March 1864, which she regarded as guarantees of union between the emperors. L'Interven. Française, 262.
- ↑ At first he declined to receive her, pleading illness. Finally on the 24th of Aug. she received her answer. So low was the treasury at Mexico that her travelling money had to be taken from the drainage fund. She embarked July 13th, taking the mail-steamer for St Nazaire, yet refused to be conveyed on board by the French naval boat. Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 393-4. Castillo, minister of foreign affairs, was one of her companions. Although not offcially advised, Almonte went to receive her. She stayed at Paris from Aug. 9th to the 29th, Enpress Eugénie calling upon her. Le Saint, Guerre, 172-3; Lefêvre, Doc. Maximiliano, ii. 336, etc. See also Masseras, Essai, 66 et seq.; Revue Deux Mondes, Feb. 1, Sept. 15, 1866; Méx. Emp., 1-13; Diario Imp., July 7 et seq.; Nacional, id.; Elizaga, Ensayos, 145, etc.
- ↑ She remained for a few days at Miramare, and left for Rome Sept. 18th. At Boetzen her mental condition suddenly became manifest. She believed herself henceforth surrounded by hirelings of Napoleon engaged to poison her, and frequently refused the food set before her, preferring the water, chestnuts, or other articles which she sometimes bought. The pontiff received her and gave her his sympathy, though he had to listen mainly to this now fixed topic. After a stay of three weeks her brother took her away to Miramare. Thence she was conducted to the palace of Tervueren, near Brussels, one of the most picturesque localities in that country, which henceforth became her home. The loss of her husband tended to increase her malady. Reports concerning her continually clouded mental condition are given in Constit., Feb. 6, Mar. 13, 1868; Jonit. Rep., Oct. 17, 1872; Diario Ofic., and
try, nor the transport charges alone to rise to several millions. Bazaine had been charged to organize a national army, but neglected to do so, casting obstacles also in the way of Thun when he undertook the task; lately the subsidy needed for effecting it had been withdrawn. Maximilian had been accused of favoring too much liberal principles and men; but he followed the line drawn by the French.
