The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-09 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE LAST MOMENTS OF
MAXIMILIAN.

We find in Galignanis Messenger of to-day the
following article, purporting to be a republication
from the New Or!tans Picayune of the details
given by the Esperanut de Queretaro of June 20,
of the last momenta of the Emperor Maximilian.
For ourselves we have received no copy of any
American paper containing even the announce-
ment of the Emperor's execution, and therefore
reprint the narrative solely upon the authority re-
ferred to :

The first messenger who reached San Luiz di Potosi on
the morning of the 19th of May did not return here with
the orders of the President until the 22nd. The Emperor
was then informed that he had to appear before • council
of war. He protested in writing, and claimed to be tried
by the Chamber of Notables, which had called him to the
throne. Proceedings were in consequence suspended, and
his letters and the papers which had been seized were
forwarded to Juarez. The answer was not received
until the 30th. It was • refusal, based upon this
fact, which no impartial person can contest, that
the Chamber of Notables had not been convoked by
the Head of the Republic ; but Juarez, animated by a
laud►ble sentiment, offered to spare the Emperor's life on
condition that he took au oath never again to set foot on
Mexican soil and signed • declaration of his own abdica-
tion. Spontaneously, and by word of mouth, Maximilian
replied that he would accept both conditions with plea.
sure provided the officers and soldiers captured with him
were also amnestied, He was at that time ignorant of the
fate of Castillo and Avellano. That requirement was
►lso agreed to, and other communications took place,
which, however, led to nothing further.
The Council at length met in a secret sitting on the
morning of the 11th, under the presidency of General
Corona, with whom were Generals Eaoobedo, Martinez,
Ruiz, Negrete, and two colonels. The three prisoners
were brought before this tribunaL Maximilian declined
to avail himself of the assistance of an advocate, whilst
Mejia and Miramon chose one to defend them conjointly.
We have been unable to obtain the details of this sitting,
which did not last an hour. The condemnation, which
was sent off the same day, was not returned until the
morning of the 18th. The President, it is affimied, was
inclined to clemency ; but our minister at Washington,
Romero, overcame that disposition, and obtained the order
for exeentiQn, notwithstanding the plea that only • small
majority had &Mired the sentence.
As soon as General Cnrons was put in possession of
the necessary document, the ems prisoners were informed
of it. They manifested no surprise, because it had been
impossible to conceal from them any 101 l et the fate of
the others. Maximilian simply requested that theymigLt
be left together until the last moment, which was gra-
ciously accorded. They were transferred to the building,
formerly a convent, which served as an hospital for the
French troops, because the hall on the ground floor
was commodious and spacious, and had a pleasant prospect
out upon the garden of the interior court. An altar was
raised at the further end ; and the sentinels were instructed
to fire upon any one attempting to enter or come out
without a written permission from Captain Gonzales. The
only person allowed to enter was the Abbe Fischer, secre-
tary and religious adviser of the Emperor. Some time after
the Bishop of Queretaro arrived, offering his sacred minis-
tration, which was accepted after a brief consultation be.
tween the prisoners. The night was passed in quiet con-
versation, and the condemned men confessed. Miramon
was suffering greatly from the wound in his eye, which he
constantly bathed with cold water. Mejia fell into • deep
sleep.
Maximilian asked for paper and pens, which, in the
middle of the night, were found with some difficulty. He
wrote two letters, one in German, addressed to his mother,
the Archduchess Sophia, and the other to his wife. He
confided them to the bishop, begging him to have them
forwarded. He added a lock of Lis hair, which the wife
of one of the guards came and cut off for Lim. He kissed
it, folded it together, and slipped it into the envelope,
which was already sealed. Towards 4 in the morning
the Emperor desired to hear mass, which was said by the
bishop. Mejia was roused up, and all three communi-
cated. After mass, Maximilian appears to have remained
for • long time kneeling on the hard stones, for there was
no prie-Dieu, with his head bent, and his hands over his
eyes. Whether In was praying or weeping is uncertain.
Miramon was pale and downcast ; Mejia was radiant—for
we must remember that be is:an Indian, and that it is glori-
ous for him to die along with his master—as he declared.
At 7 o'clock the notes of a military band were heard ;
and Captain Gonzales entered the chapel with bandages
to blindfold the prisoners. Miramon submitted to the
operation quietly. Mejia refused, and, as the captain was
about to use force, the bishop whispered a few words to
the general, who then acquiesced. But the Emperor,
coming forward, declared that, as to himself, he would not
be blindfolded. After a moment's hesitation, Consoles,
with a friendly salutation to Maximilian, went and took
his place at the head of the escorting party. The procet.
lion then moved forward, • squadron of lancers in front,
followed by the band playing • funeral march. A bat-
talion of infantry, formed in two lines, composed the re-
mainder of the escort. When it reached the principal gate
of the hospital, Mejia maid aloud :—" Sire, give to us for
the last time, the example of your noble courage : we
follow your Majesty."
The Franciscan friars now appeared, the two in front
bearing the cross and holy water, the others holding
tapers. Each of the three coffins intended for the doomed
men was carried by a group of four Indians ; three black
crosses to be fixed were each prisoner knelt for execution
were borne last. Captain Gonzales then made a sign to
Maximilian to move forward. The Emperor advanced
courageously, saying to the two generals : Varnas nos a fa
fibertad

The procession slowly ascended the street leading to the
cemetery, behind the church, and by the road approach-
ing the aqueduct. It soon came out upon the height
overlooking the plain, and, seen from below, the ap-
pearance of the cortege was most impressive. The
Emperor walked first, having the Abbe Fischeroo his right,
and the Bishop on his left. Immediately behind came
Miramon, supported on each side by Franciscans, and
Afejia between two priests belonging to the parish of Santa
Cruz. When the proce.sion reached the summit of the
hill, Maximilian looked steadily at the rising sun ; then,
taking out his watch, be pressed a spring which concealed
a portrait, in miniatute, of the Empress Charlotte. He
kissed it, and handing the chain to the Abbe Fischer, said:
" Carry this souvenir to Europe to my dear wife, ►nd if
she be ever able to understand you, say that my eyes closed
with the impression of her image, which I shall carry with
Inc above ! "

The cortige had now reached the great exterior wall of
the cemetery, and the belle were slowly tolling • funeral
knell ; only those composing the escort were present, for
the crowd had been debarred from ascending the bill.
Three small benches with the wooden crosses, were placed
against the wall ; and the three shooting parties, each hav-
ing two non-commissioned officers as • reserve, for the coup
de grdee, approached within • few paces of the prisoners.
The Emperor, at the noise made by the movement of the
muskets, thought the soldiers were about to fire, and,
rapidly turning to his two companions, he embraced
them most affectionately. Miramon, surprised, very
nearly sank upon the seat, where he remained
quite helpless; and the Franciscans raised him in
their arms. Mejia returned the embrace of Maximilian,
whispering some broken words which were not overheard;
he then folded his arms and remained standing. The
bishop advancing addressed the Emperor:—" Sire, give to
Mexico, without any exception, the kiss of reconciliation
in my person ; let your Majesty, in this supreme moment,
accord pardon to all." The Emperor was unable to con-
ceal the emotion which agitated him; ne allowed the
bishop to embrace him—then raising his voice, he said
" Tell Lopez that I forgive him his treachery—tell all
Mexico that I pardon its crime." His Majesty then
pressed the hand of the Abbe Fischer, who, unable
to utter a word, sank at the feet of the Emperor,
bathing with tears his bands, which he kissed. Many pre-
sent wept bitterly. Maximilian gently extricated his
hand, and, advancing • step, said with • melancholy
smile to the officer commanding the executing party, di la
disposieion de toted. At that moment, on a sign given by
the officer, the muskets were leveled against the Empe-
ror's breast ; be murmured a few welds in German, and
the discharge enveloped the spectators in smoke. Miramon