The Van Buren press., 1867-08-09
LAST HOURS OF MAMMALIAN.
Interview with the Archduisc the Prince
and Princess Salm-Salm.

]
| We copy as follows from the letter Of al
occasional correspondent Of the New lorl
I World. II is dated at Washington. th'
9th inst, and gives the result of an inter
view with gentleman Just from Queretaro
and an eye witness of the execution. w,
omit, however, all in reference to the tria
and execution Of the unfortunate Emperor
as complete details of these melancholy
scenes have already appeared, and confn,
ourselves to the interview with the Arch.
duke in the convent Of the Capuchns.
The Convent OF the Capuchins is type
of the ruin that has descended upon ancient
public edifces all over Mexico. Its towers,
its architectural ornaments, its distinctive
marks of any sort, have been razed or torn
away The thick walls enclose chambers
paved with tiles and scantily furnished.
The meanest neglected paintings adorn
some of the walls. The windows. like
those of all Mexican buildings or dwellings,
are barred with iron. 1t is natural
prison.
My acquaintance opposite found the
Archduke and his companion in one of the
rooms on the ground floor of this convent
on the afternoon of the 3d of June. Maxi
milan lay asleep upon the pavement
Prince Salm Salm sat writing at a coarse
table two sentinelS lounged at the entrance.
AS the visitor entered, the Prince en-
joined caution. DO not speak too loud
SIR he said "the Emperor is sleeping
The visitor took seat by the table
" / do not wish, was his response, "to
disturb your companion. merely called
to inquire whether can be of any casual
service, have some acquaintance with
Escobedo."
EscoDcdo ? it is impossible 10 speak of
him. He has already determined"
"Upon what -
THAT the Emperor" replied the Prince,
lowering his voice, F" shall, Of course, die. i
Do not be too sure Escobedo"-
1t is mockery. Escobedo will do
nothing. The Emperor has applied to
Juarez for postponemcnt. My wife has
gone to see him she should be here to-day.
1t is just possible
Here Maximilian, disturbed, awoke
slowly, and raised himself upon his arm
Is there, then" he asked, amy further
news from Juarez ?"
- fv. yo., % I~,-- rL;e <yo,,Iouon o,l,
comes from Escobedo.'
"What," said the Archduke, wearily,
as he got up and approached the table, "is
there from Escobedo p
The visitor explained, as before, that he
was not sent, but he had come to learn
whether he could he Of any service.
"Ah, is that all =? | thank you. But
| fear"
TPah" interrupted the Prince. "Thc
muletcer the"
But here the Archduke checked his COM
panion.
" Hush !" he said 81 will trust more
to the Princess than hundred Escobedos
We will wait for her."
She ought to come" said the Prince.
anxiously. She will do what she can"
The speaker quilted his seat and slowly
walked the floor. His eye glass dropped
unnoticed from its perch. His fingers
writhed rervously behind his back. Re
tried to hum tune, but failed. Maxi
milan sank into the vacant chair. For a
few moments he was silent. Then he lifted
his eyes with pleasant smile, and spoke !,
You are an American, or Mexican
which %
Both. was born in Guadalajara and
have lived in the United States"
Still smiling, the Archduke continued i:
"The Americans, suppose, would not
regret to hear Of my death p
II think they would they are not such
a people; hope they will not have to hear
of it.
We shall see.' The Archduke's face
became sobered and he spoke abstractedly
81 did what seemed for the best They
deceived me- am afraid they will all re-
grct--" Hero he leaned his head upon his
hand and seemed to be waiting and listen
ing.
The visitor sat uneasily, regarding the
two prisoners motlonless, the other
pacing to and fro. The barking of dog
in the street, the sounds Of carousal in an
opposite building, the soldiers voices in
the sauoa, were all cruelty distinct. A
lew minutes were thus spent. Then a
hustle was heard outside the heavy door
was opened, and soldier announced
I" La Sonora {"
In an instant Prince Salm- Salm had the
newcomer in his arms. She was the vol.
untarv messenger, his wife. Sho had just
arrived from San LOUIS Po.osi, from Juarcz.
llcr face was sunburnt and soled
her shoes were torn ; her whole form trem.
bled with neryeless fatigue as she laid her
hands upon her husbands shoulders. The
Archdukc came forward eagerly, waiting
for his turn. Tho Prince was heard to ask
in a whisper
" Have you had any success? What
did Juarez say ?"
"They will do what they have said in
the dispatches They have granted the
lalovn Hho tnrnol IN Maximilian - q