government, and exerting himself with admirable zeal.[1] The most effective interference would undoubtedly have been from the United States government; but this was exerted with so little zeal as to wholly fail.[2]
As it was, the Juarist authorities remained firm in their decision that the cause of justice and the future peace of Mexico demanded the death of the prisoners. Magnus offered to procure guarantees from the leading European sovereigns that they should never again tread the soil or disturb the country. But all in vain.[3] Nor did the earnest pleading of deputations of prominent women avail anything, or the frantic appeal of others like Princess Salm-Salm, speaking for her husband as well as for the archduke. Especially heart-rending was the scene with Miramon's wife, who with her two little children fell weeping at the
- ↑ Lago excused his apparent inaction by the plea that a direct appeal from the Austrian representative would injure rather than serve Maximilian. For. est was merely a consul, sent by Dano. Détroyat blames the latter for not acting in person. L'Intervention, 367. He was afraid for himself and doubted his influence. Middleton, the English chargé d'affaires, also remained at Mexico. Salm-Salm accuses the Austrian and Belgian members of the corps of talking very loosely about Maximilian, and stamps the former as a rank coward; yet Maximilian wrote him a letter of thanks, in 'good-natured weakness.' Diary, ii. 59-60, 63, 74, 98. Arrangoiz makes more ado about their refusal at Mexico to implicate themselves by taking charge of effects from the imperial palace. Méj., iv. 326-9. Among the army men who spoke for clemency were generals Treviño and Vega. Querétaro offered Maximilian's weight in gold. Basch, Erinn., ii. 237, 242-4.
- ↑ Austria among others had prompted the cabinet at Washington, and their minister Campbell was instructed to recommend a humane policy; but he remained passively at New Orleans, and only sent despatches which served rather to annoy by their tone of authority and of censure for previous cruelties. Again prompted, Seward spoke to the Juarist minister Romero, but delayed further action till too late. U. S. Foreign Af., Lefévre, Docs, ii. 431-10. Domenech assumes that proper remonstrances from Seward would have been commands to Juarez, and concludes that the neglect to send them entails 'une terrible responsabilité relativement à la mort de ce malheureux prince.' Hist. Mex., iii. 432. He hints at selfish political motives. Otterburg was appointed to replace Campbell and interpose his ministerial influence, but too late. He lays the blame on Campbell. D'Héricault, Max., 326, and Arrangoiz, iv. 347, accuse the United States of a desire to retaliate on France. See also Méx., Col. Leyes, 1863-7, iii. 194, etc.; Vega, Docs, iii. 319 et seq.; Méx., Legac., i. 3-315, passim; Masseras, Essai, 430–2; Max., Mem., 79-83, etc. Victor Hugo and Garibaldi were among the pleaders.
- ↑ This was in reply to Minister Lerdo's observation that no guarantees existed against a fresh invasion. Austria supported the promise with an offer to reinstate the archduke in his rights as such, after he had renounced his projects in Mexico. This offer came too late.
