The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-26 00:00:00

TIIE SUN, LONDON, Flil OA 17 EV ENING, JULY 26, 1867.

The Late Emperor Maximilian.

VIENNA, July 22.

Subjoined is the last official report of Baron Ton
Lago, the Austrian Charge at Mexico, written
before the execution of the late Emperor. It is
addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and
bears date—

" City of Mexico, May 31.
" Until yesterday evening we were in doubt here
as to the fate that has overtaken the Emperor.

While it was most positively asserted by the Libe-
rals that his Majesty was a prisoner in Queretaro
the organs of the Government announced, on the
contrary, that ' certain intelligence' had been re-
ceived that he would very shortly arrive with his
army before the walls of the metropolis. Yesterday
evening, however, Herr von Magnus, the Prussian
Minister, received a telegram from the Emperor at
Queretaro, which the Liberals had allowed to pass.

It contained a request to come as speedily as possible
to Queretaro with the advocates Mariano Itiva Pa-
lacio and Martinez della Torre, whom his Majesty
had selected to conduct his defence, and to bring
with him all documents that might be. necessary and
serviceable. From this message and other positive
news that arrived in the course of the evening we
now know that Queretaro was really taken by
assault (treachery) upon the morning of the 15th,
and that his Majesty, with all his generals and
troops, has fallen into the power of the enemy.
I hear from a Liberal source that his
Majesty is treated by the conquerors in
the most respectful manner in his quality of
Archduke of Austria. The Republican leader,
Aureliano Rivera, by whom his Majesty was taken
at the cerro de la campana, dismounted as he per-
ceived the Emperor, drew his sword, saluted with
the utmost deference, and :declined to accept the
offered sword of his imperial prisoner. lam informed
that his Majesty was taken back, accompaniel by a
band of music, to the Convent do la Cruz (his
headquarters during the siege), and that the impe-
rial apartments, badly damaged during the last
attack, were placed in as good repair as time would
permit. Two of his adjutants were placed at the
Emperor's service, and it is said that his Majesty
has even been permitted to walk freely about
Queretaro. The Emperor has presented General
Riva Palacio, by whom the Cerro de la Cruz
was taken in the night, with his horse and a
costly Mexican saddle, &c.—a circumstance grate-
fully mentioned by that chief in a letter to his
wife. I am told also that, by his remarkable
amiability and frankness, the Emperor has gained
the goodwill of the majority of the Liberal leaders
assembled at Queretaro, and that his Majesty at
once held out to them the prospect of the com-
munication of important documents. I understand
his Majesty will shortly be broughtpefore a court-
martial, consisting of seven members. It is looked
upon as a bad omen by Liberals here that he should
be tried by a military court at Queretaro, instead,
as was at first believed, of his being escorted
to Guadalupe or Mexico, and placed before the
National Congress. Several of the principal
members of the party, however, expressed to
me their conviction that his Majesty might perhaps
be condemned as a matter of form, but that

there was every reasonable prospect of his being
immediately pardoned by Don Benito Juarez, and
at once conducted to the frontier with the honours
due to his high rank. 1 have been confidently in-
formed, from a reliable source, that after capture his
Majesty stated that, foreseeing such a misfortune,
he had already abdicated in that event, and that the
record of the fact was in the hands of the President
of State Council and ex-Minister Lacunza at
Mexico. The latter, however, is said to deny the
possession of the document. Owing to lack of time
I have hitherto been prevented from learning any-

thing certain in the matter.
" With regard to the two advocates selected by the
Emperor, the choice of Licentiate Riva Palacio
(father of the general, and like him a man of liberal
opinions) is considered very happy both for political
and prudential reasons. Martinez della Torre also
bears the reputation of a very talented jurist,
and is said to be an eloquent speaker. On the other
hand, it is thought that, owing to his practical ante-
tecedents and versatility, he may not be favourably
regarded in the Liberal camp. Herr von Magnus,
the Prussian Minister, to whom the Emperor's'
telegram was addressed, has often been consulted
by his Majesty in important affairs of State, owing
to his former special intimacy with Father Fischer,
the Emperor's private secretary. It was he, in par-
ticular, who, by his advice in conjunction with
General Marquez, Father Fischer, Minister Lacunza,
and many others, persuaded his Majesty to remain
in Mexico after the departure of the French. llerr
von Magnus was also the only one among his col-
leagues who advocated the Emperor's expedition to
Queretaro. These antecedents, coupled with the

fact that of all the embassies here the Prussian
mission is unquestionably that least compromised
in a political point of view, probably induced
his Majesty to honour Herr von Magnus with the
important charge above alluded to, although under
other circumstances such a passing over of the Aus-

trian Embassy would have been an affront to the
latter; yet in the interest of his Majesty's cause and
person I cannot, in the present state of affairs, com-
plain in the slighest of any disregard, and only
trust that Herr von Magnus may find himself in a
position to justify to the fullest extent the confi-
dence placed him. As I have entertained no doubt
for some time past of his Majesty's imprisonment, I
determined several days ago to leave Mexico, and,
if possible, to repair to Queretaro, there to place my
humble personal services--in so far as I might be
permitted—most respectfully at the disposal of
my gracious Sovereign's brother. Three days
ago I obtained, not without difficulty, the necessary
permits to pass Garita, and intended to have
left this morning. In consequence of the above
mentioned telegram, however, I thought fit to delay
my departure for a day, which I have
devoted to
collecting the above details. I shall try to leave

Mexico to-morrow afternoon, although the attempt
cannot be made without danger, as both parties
often fire indiscriminately upon those entering and
leaving, and neither horses nor carriages are suf-
fered to quit the city. Still, as a very influential
Liberal with whom I am acquainted travels with
me, I hope through his intervention with General
Porfirio Diaz, notwithstanding the small recom-
mendation of my quality as Austrian representa-
tive, to obtain the necessary passport via Toluca
for Queretaro, where we might arrive in three
or four days. As after breaking off diplomatic
relations with the Government of the Imperial
Lugarteniente in Mexico, the Austrian Embassy has
no official business to transact, and is also not even
in a position to offer Austrian subjects any protec-
tion whatever, I shall not hesitate, after having
provided for the safety of the archives, to take
attache llerr von Tavora with me to Quei etaro, where
I:foresee I shall greatly need his assistance. It
might also be requisite to despatch him as courier
to Mexico, or perhaps Puebla. Upon arriving in
Queretaro I shall immediately endeavour to
present myself without delay to the Emperor, in
order to receive any instructions he may have
to give. I do not know how it will be possible
to get my ordinary reports forwarded to Vera
Cruz, but I am told that the Liberals will lay
no obstacles in the way of transmitting corre-
spondence referring to his Majesty's trial. I shall
place myself in the closest relations with Herr von
Magnus and the Imperial defenders, and need not
assure your excellency that I shall make every effort
consistent with my feeble powers to be in every re-
spect useful to his Majesty. I shall take with me
very considerable pecuniary means, to be used in
certain cases. M. Dano, the French Ambassador,
who now begins to be very anxious respecting the
position of the French Embassy, in case the Liberal
forces should enter, and who would scarcely be
able to leave the city unmolested, sends with us
the former French Consul at Mazatlan, at present
here. The Spanish Ambassador, Marquis de la
Ribera, who some days ago demanded his pass-
ports on account of illegal withdrawal of the Spa-
nish Consul's exequatur, and quitted Mexico,
will probably also shortly repair Nip
his diplo-
matic staff to Queretaro, if indeed he has not
already arrived here. Before closing nay despatch,

I hear that it is not settled whether the Emperor
shall not be tried by the Supreme Tribunal, instead
of the above-mentioned court-martial. This might
be considered as a very favourable eventuality
for his Majesty, only the proceedings of the tri-
bunal, according to its ordinary practice, might •
then last several months, while I am assured that
in the former case a conclusion might be at- ,
tained in two or three weeks. General Marquez
seems, notwithstanding the now positive news
from Queretaro, not ill-disposed to continue de-
fending the metropolis, as l►e knows that in case of
defeat he himself has no mercy to expect',
from the conquerors. Ile might therefore pos-
sibly even risk a storm, hoping, in true Mexican
fashion, to make his esc ipe in the confusion of
battle—an expedient this time hardly likely to suc-
ceed. General Tavera, the commandant of the
city, a very honourable gentleman, seems, how-
ever, only anxious to avoid useless bloodshed ; and
as a positive famine already prevails among th,2
poorer classes (bread, meat, and fuel having dis-
appeared) is inclined to surrender. Elements of
discord among the garrison will also speedily ap-
pear. I have advised the Austrian officers, in their
own interest and that of their troops, to stand by
General Tavera should the necessity arise, and this
the rather because prolonged resistance might even
be injurious to his Majesty. They seem deter-
mined never to allow themselves to be de-
graded into a body-guard for General Mar-
quez. Their chief desire is to receive a direct
order from the Emperor releasing them from their
duty. In the event of my prolonged ab-
sence from Mexico I shall take care that your ex-
cellency receives direct news from here through one
of the German consulates.—Receive,

" LAM.

" P.S.-31st, Evening. A letter from a German
merchant at Queretaro has just arrived containing
an order given him secretly by his Majesty that
should at once repair thither. I was informed at
the same time that his Majesty had been brought
before a court-martial, only presided over by a
colonel. It is therefore the highest time that we
and the defenders selected by the Emperor himself
should leave for our destination, and yet the greatest
difficulties are placed in the way of our departure
by the Emperor's Lugarteniente and other imperial
generals. I still hope, however, to leave Mexico
early to-morrow.—As above, " LAGo."

NOTES

FROM
TRAINING QUARTERS

RICHMOND.

Tuesday was close and warm, after a deal of
rain. Elliott's head boy was out with a dozen, all
cantering, except Rd Tub ; the Berezina filly then
led Gleaner, Drofenraw, the colt by Oulston, and
the Colsterdale filly the length of the moor, as fast
as they could go. Toni Lund had his ordinary lot
out doing strong work, looking big and well. Jacob
Watson sent Olmar two miles, at a good sweating
pace; Proctor led Buttercup a mile ; Strathconan
went two miles gently, and Elvire a mile steadily.
Circe and Plaudit only cantered, the latter appear-
ing very dicky on his pins. Virtue, Tutela, Lais,
and Bob Chambers were sent a good mile gallop ;
while Louisa went a mile gently. John Coates had
five of his lordship's out. dEthon led " the giant"
three times the length of the moor, Mr. Thompson
again up. Hermosa led Molinara similar work to
that of the other two. El Cid was walking about,
looking very well after being out. Neither Rivera-
tor nor Bumblekite was out.

MIDDLEHAM.
Corporal, Mandrake, and Tynedale are going firs'
class for their Goodwood engagements.