Clement Duvernois to William Hunter, November 5, 1866

Senor Romero to Mr. Hunter

The minister of the Mexican republic presents his compliments to William Hunter, esq., and has the honor to transmit several late articles from the Paris press relating to Mexican affairs and containing important information, showing the change of public opinion in France in regard to that delicate question.

The Mexican empire.

The following telegram from the emperor Maximilian was handed to the Patrie yesterday by the Mexican legation:

[Valentia, October 9—1 o’clock a. m. ]

Chapultepec, September 27.

To General Almonte, Paris:

You will inform the legations that excellent spirits prevail among all classes. The cabinet is formed at last. We are on the best terms with our allies. The railway is open to Apizaco.

Let us finish the Mexican business.

All the papers this morning are commenting upon the telegram sent by the emperor Maximilian to General Almonte, his representative in Paris. It seems all is going on well; all the people are well disposed; the cabinet is formed; and the best understanding prevails between Mexico and its allies. There is no doubt about this, for the information comes from the emperor himself. Since things are going on so well there, why does not the French government take advantage of circumstances, put an end to the unlucky expedition, and withdraw our army? What prevents it from giving this satisfaction to public opinion? Unfortunately the Moniteur keeps a sullen silence on this serious subject. Nobody knows what will be done, and guessers have full play. Foreign papers are filled with Paris correspondence purporting to be reliable, giving all sorts of plans and projects and impossible combinations, which the cunning use to the great damage of the credulous.

We would like to know the intentions of the French government, not only in regard to our army in Mexico, but in regard to the Mexican debt, which is daily becoming more grievous to the bondholders. The obligations are depreciating, to the great injury of the original purchasers, and the silence of the government increases the trouble. Why not enlighten us on the subject?

This is the propitious moment. Maximilian says he has no more need of us, since harmony prevails among all classes of the population. Let the government then agree with Maximilian upon a guarantee of French interests, and bring our army back as soon as possible, as it will have to be done sooner or later.

The European horizon is gloomy: peace has hardly been signed between Prussia and Austria, when we hear rumors of another war. Prussian papers openly proclaim the warlike projects of the Berlin cabinet. To humble and degrade Austria, destroy her if necessary; to bring Paris to her senses; to impose laws upon the world; nothing seems impossible to King William.

Who knows how far the infatuation of a first triumph may carry him? Only a few days ago Prussia tried to prevent Austria from appointing a certain minister. Prussia might go further, and France might be called upon to stop her in her fits of audacity and folly. But to do this France will want all her forces now scattered over the world. France is strong, but she must let the world know it for once. To do this, we must recall all our foreign expeditions. The convention of the 25th of September recalls our army from Rome; and now we must bring back our troops from Mexico. We should not have gone to that distant country, and our presence is certainly not needed there now. Why delay? If there are reasons for continuing the occupation, let them be known. But there are none. All the interests we have to defend now are the interests of the Mexican bondholders. Let the government think of that and decide. There is no time to be lost, for we are threatened from two quarters. The present condition of Europe requires all our strength at home, and our finances are damaged by the depreciation of the Mexican obligations. We must put an end to this. A decision is urgent, for many reasons, and Maximilian’s despatch makes it easy. France has other and better business than weaning monarchies; she has something more manly to do. The government was mistaken when it thought it could found a monarchy in Mexico. If Maximilian’s despatch is true, the empire is fixed; France has done her work; let her be gone. If Maximilian is mistaken, if France is deceived, if the Mexican baby empire is not viable, let us confess our error and retire, since we have done all we could; we have reached the extreme limit of our sacrifices in men and money. Whatever process of reasoning be adopted, the conclusion must be the same.

Let us finish this Mexican business!