Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-06-23
CIRCULATION OF THE CITY PRESS.
MAXIMILLIAN'S HEIR.


would not hail with pleasure news Of the
leo, to which consummat.o on events seem slow
ly but surely tending. But their qualification
would be as nothing in comparison with the
JOY which such intelligence would convey to
one American lady; as she might then hope
Tor speedy reunion with loved and only
child. from which she is now cruelty separ-
ated. We refer to Mad. Alice Iturbide, flor
merly Miss Green. of Rosedale, near George
town, in this District, now wife of the Iineal
successor to the throne of Mexico.) whose SON
was adopted O. by Macmillan few months
since, the child being then about two-and-a-
half years old.
As the facts in regard to this matter have not
been generally understood in this country. and
have been the subject of much ignorant, and
more or less Intentional Misrepresentation, we
propose to briefly review some of tae attend
ing circumstances In this extraordinary case
The child was already great favorite with
many Of the Oldest and best families-the Ioy-
alists-of Mexico. MAMMALIAN was not The
adoption of this child, therefore, as his heir
wsuld, he conceived, be a powerful element
in strengthening his waning cause, and would
enable him 10 form a native party friendly to
his interests. Whether the idea originated
with Maximillan or Napoleon is no: known,
but II was promptly acted on. Extraordinary
means Were used to get the parents consent
TO part with their child. The father stead
fastly persisted in his opposition to the scheme
throughout; but the mother. overc ONE by the
promise of a brilliant future for her son, urged
BY her husbands brother. (Augustin Itur-
bide,l and others of the family, goaded by the
intimation that the child would be TAKEN with
or without her consent, ana never dreaming
tina; the adoption of the infant by the Emperor
would lead to her immediate separation from
Il, reluctantly signed 4 document giving her
consent She thought her child would have a
mothers care: at least until it was old eaough
TO be sent to Europe to be educated. Imagine
her CONSERVATION and grief on receiving, the
day after her son was taken TO the palace, an
intimation from Off cial sources that the air of
Mexico was unwholesome for The Iturbide
family, and that a speedy trip to Europe might
be beneficial TO them. The banished family at
once prepared to comply with the Imperial
mandate, and hurrIedly packing up such
necessary articles as could be conveniently
transported, started without delay for the sea
coast, the mother almost frantic. At Puebla
her grief became uncomfortable, and determined
to make an effort to recover her child, she
al once returned 10 the City of Mexico and ap-
pealed to the Emperor to allow her either 10
take her son, or TO live with him at the palace
The only answer she received was q peremp-
tory order 10 leave the country. Almost heart
broken, she came 10 the United States and an.
pealed TO the authorities here, bat in consa-
Quence Of her written consent to the Emperor's
adoption Of the child, no action could be taxen.
Resolved TO leave no stone unturned to accom-
plish the one object she had IN view, she pro-
ceeded at once to Paris to appeal TO the French
Emperor. She Is still in the capital of France,
and has had from Louis Napoleon partial
promises from time 70 time which have
encouraged her to hope for a reunion with her
child at no distant period. Hope deferred
makes the heart SICK II Is said, and Mrs Itur.
hide having lost all confidence in Napoleon
and in Macmillan, is now about to return to
this country with her object unaccomplished.
The child is well cared for by Macmillan,
and receives the treatment Of 8 prince. II has
a suite of rooms assigned 10 il, and numerous
attendants. and takes an airing every fine day
i the royal equipage. Americans writing
from the city of Mexico describe the little one
as 8 bright, Intelligent, handsome boy, about
three years old, with an unmistakable North
American-In other words, Yankee-stamp of
features and expression. No matter what were
the motives for the adoption Of the child, the
act was IN itself unobjectionabie; but the
Punishment of the lturbide family, and the
separation of mother and infant, Were tyran
nearly allied to many old and prominent
families here and in Maryland. has the entire
sympathy Of this community in her trouble.