MISSION OF MARQUEZ.
287
provided for a case of captivity by an abdication, and for a possible death by appointing as regents Vidaurri, Lacunza, and Marquez, who should be governed by the organic statute of the empire, and convoke the congress, by which the form of government must be determined.[1] Marquez should strain every nerve to obtain funds, war material, and men, and he might abandon Mexico if thought best; but Querétaro must be reënforced — this was a matter of the very first importance.[2]
- ↑ As soon as the congress could be installed the regency expired. Marquez should act as chief of the army till the regency met. As substitute regents were named Lares, Mejía, and Councillor Linares. This document is dated March 20th. Several copies have been published. Those in Arrangoiz, iv. 324, and Masseras, 425-9, differ somewhat in form. In Hall's Life Max., 133, is given only the earlier draught of the document of March 11th, naming Lares instead of Vidaurri. Masseras has wrong dates, and many copies give May instead of March. Lacunza failed to publish the abdication in due time, instigated by the false reports of Arellano, says Marquez, 197. Many confound this with the regency document, and others, like Masseras, conclude that it never existed, but a solemn assurance was made before the later courtmartial that it did. Max., Causa, and Lefèvre, Docs, ii. 442. See also Palacio's statement in Max., Mem., 9-11. The date given by Marquez to his appointment as lugarteniente is March 19th, which, if correct, would indicate that he had prevailed on Maximilian to take the present step before the council met.
- ↑ Marquez denies that his instructions, wholly verbal, required him to return with reënforcements, as generally declared. He was to hold Mexico as the capital, and as a centre in case Querétaro fell, sending to Maximilan funds and war material, and reports, so that he could receive further orders. His sole statement, however, is opposed by overwhelming testimony on the other side. See his Refut., 93-7, and Manifiesto. Maximilian's instructions at this time to Navarro indicate that Mexico might be left less protected, and that his archives and other valuable effects should in such a case be placed with Marquez and the army, except such as could impede the movement of the troops, Schaffer, the officer in charge of the palace, having to bring the effects most needed for a long campaign. A letter to this Schaffer, written by dictation to Basch, indicate still more strongly that Mexico might be left wholly without troops, in which case Schaffer and others would accompany Marquez and his army, bringing to this place' (Querétaro) certain needful effects. This bringing' is repeatedly mentioned. These remarks do not exactly define what option Marquez had, but they prove that his own declaration is false. See full text of letters in Basch, ii. 60–4; Arrangoiz, iv. 280-3. Basch adds, he knows for a certainty that Marquez was instructed 'in any case to return with aid to Querétaro,' 'was in 14 Tagen geschehen musste;' his only option being to take all or a part of the troops at Mexico. ii. 54-67. Marquez states that it was understood he should go to Puebla from Mexico, but the absurd manner in which he seeks to prove this side issue tends only to confirm his unworthiness of belief. Salm-Salm declares that he was forbidden to undertake any other expedition than to bring troops from Mexico, and before all the generals assembled, Marquez 'gave his word of honor to return to Querétaro within a fortnight, coûte que coûte.'
than Lares. Arellano, who again hints at Marquez' machinations in this change, is not well informed about the appointments.
