The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-10 00:00:00

THE EXECU7I-O.N OF 211 E EMPEROR

MA IMILIAN.

The following account of the last hours and exe-
cution
of the Emperor Maximilian is taken from a
Paris journal, the Figaro, which states that it has
obtained it by the Atlantic Telegraph from the
columns of the New York Picayune, which repub-
lishes it from the Esperanza of Queretaro of the
20th of June, the day after the execution :
" The first messenger who reached San Luiz di
Potosi on the morning of the 19th May did not re-
turn here with the orders of the President until the
22d. The Emperor was then informed that he had

to appear before a council of war.
" Ile 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 till the 30th. it was a refusal, based

upon this fact, which no impartial person can con-
test, that the Chamber of Notables had not been
convoked by the head of the Republic ; but Juarez,

animated by a laudable sentiment, offered to spare
the Emperor's life on condition that he took an oath
never again to set foot on Mexican soil, and signed
a declaration of his own abdication.

" Spontaneously, and by ward of mouth, Maxi
milian replied that he would accept both conditions
with pleasure, provided the officers and soldiers cap-
tured with him were also amnestied. He was at that
time ignorant of the fate of Castillo and Avellano.
That requirement was also 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 Esco-
bedo, 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, while 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 affirmed, was inclined to cle-
mency, but our Minister at Washington, Romero,
overcame that disposition, and obtained the order
for execution, notwithstanding the plea that only a
small majority had affirmed the sentence.
"As soon as General Corona was put in posses-
sion of the necessary document the three prisoners
were informed of it. They manifested no surprise,
because it had been impossible to conceal from them
any longer the fate of the others. Maximilian simply
requested that they might be left together until the
last moment, which was graciously 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 commo-
dious 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 at-
tempting to enter or come out without a written
permission from Captain Gonzales.
" The only person allowed to enter was the AMA
Fischer, secretary and religious adviser of the Em-
peror. Some time after the Bishop of Queretaro
arrived, offering his sacred ministration, which was
was accepted after a brief consultation between the
prisoners. The night was passed in quiet conversa-
tion, 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 a deep sleep.
" Maximilian asked for paper and pens, which,
in the middle of the night, were found with some
difficulty. lie wrote two letters—one in German,
addressed to his mother, the Archduchess Sophia ;
and the other to his wife. Ile confided them to
the bishop, begging him to have them forwarded
Ile added a lock of his hair, which the wife of
one of the guards came and cut off for him. 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 partook of the com-

mullion.
" After mass Maximilian appears to have remained
for a long time keeling on the hard stones—fur there
was no prie-Dieu—with his head bent and his hands
over his eyes. Whether he was praying or weeping
is uncertain. Miramon was pale and downcast ;
Mejia was radiant—for we must remember that he
is an Indian, and that it is glorious for him to die
along with his master, as he declared.
" At 7 o'clock the notes of a military band were
heard ; and Capt. Gonzales entered the chapel with
bandages to blindfold the prisoners. Miramon sub-
mitted 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 blind-
folded. After a moment's hesitation, Gonzales, with
a friendly salutation to Maximilian, went and took
his place at the head of the escorting party. The
procession then moved forward, a squadron of Lan-
cers in front, followed by the band playing a funeral
march. A battalion of infantry, formed in two lines,
composed the remainder of the escort.
" When it reached the principal gate of the hos-
pital, Mejia said 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 were carried by a group of four
Indians ; three black crosses to be fixed where each
prisoner knelt for execution were borne last.
" Capt. Gonzales then made a sign to Maximilian
to move forward. The Emperor advanced courage-
ously, saying to the two Generals :—' Vamos nos a
la libertad !' (Let us go to freedom !)
"The processionslowly ascended the street leading
to the cemetery, behind the church, and. by the road
approaching the aqueduct. It soon came upon the
height overlooking the plain, and seen from below
the appearance of the cortege was most impressive.
The Emperor walked first, having the Abbe Fischer
on his right, and the Bishop on his left. Imme-
diately behind came Miramon, supported by Fran-
ciscans, and Mejia between two priests belonging to
the parish of Santa Cruz.
" When the procession reached the summit of the
hill Maximilian looked steadily for a moment at the
rising sun ; then, taking out his watch, he pressed
a spring which concealed a portrait in miniature 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, and if she be
ever able to understand you, say that my eyes
closed with the impression of her image, which I
shall carry with me above I' The cortege had now
reached the great exterior wall of the cemetery, and
the bells were slowly tolling a funeral knell ; only
those composing the escort were present, for the
crowd had been debarred from ascending the hill.
"Three small benches, with the wooden crosses,
were placed against the wall, and three shooting
parties, each having two non.commisSiOned officers
as a reserve, for the coup de grace, approached
within a few paces of the prisoners. The Emperor
at the noise made by the muvemeut of the muskets
thought the soldiers were about to fire, and rapidly
turning to his two companions lie embraced them
most affectionately. Mirainon, surprised, very
nearly sank upon his 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
to all.' supreme moment, accord pardon

" The Emperor was unable to conceal the emotion
which agitatedhina ; he allowed thebishop to embrace
him ; then, raising his voice, he said, ' Tell Lopez
that I forgive him his treachery; tell all 21e1::co
that I pardon its crime.'
" His Majesty then pressed the hand of the Abbe