[Translation.], June 2, 1867

[Translation.]

Mr. Consul: I have had the honor to converse with you on several occasions on the fate of the emperor Maximilian, who interests me and engages my attention so earnestly for several months. You know how much I would have desired to have been able to go to Queretaro in order to obtain from the liberal party the adoption of evidence of moderation in an extreme case. On the one hand, my overtures to accompany Baron de Magnus were repelled; the advocates pretended that, far from being useful, the presence of the minister from France would be prejudicial, bring on an undue excitement of feeling which would hurt the defence, and would augment the severity of the council of war. On the other hand, some liberals, far from encouraging me to go to Queretaro, made me, through you, give advice to set out for Vera Cruz, in order not to expose the legation of the emperor to a hostile manifestation which it would be difficult to check at the first moment of effervescence which would follow the entry of their troops into the capital.

I have sent to my colleagues of Austria, of Belgium, and of Italy, letters for several leaders I formerly knew. These letters have remained unanswered. In fine, not being able to go in person to Queretaro, I have found means to send an agent there who enjoys all my confidence, and whom I have furnished with full powers to take in my name the most active steps in behalf of the unfortunate emperor.

This agent informs me from Tacubaya that all the rumors put in circulation for a fortnight past, and so obstinately contradicted by the imperial authorities, are unhappily in all respects true. The life of the unfortunate Maximilian incurred the greatest dangers, and notwithstanding all remarks, all the hindrances, this one or the other, I must report your situation. Mr. Consul, you authorized me to wait an answer from General Porfirio Diaz, and I was very thankful to you for gaining me permission to go and converse with him on the measures to be used to get me near to the emperor.

I hesitate, besides, that the intention in what concerned my government and person could be so ill-purposed as has been affirmed. Our acts are of public notoriety, and every one knows what I did personally to prevent the actual state of events, and stop effusion of blood which I considered useless.

You will oblige me much by patting it in my power to carry out my plan as soon as possible. As to my leaving Mexico, it has been long determined by my government, also that of my personal surroundings, but I will not carry it out until I have tried everything to fulfil important duties which are incumbent on me.

Accept in advance, Mr. Consul, my thanks, with the assurance of my friendly and devoted feelings.