Smyrna times., 1867-07-17
The Shooting of Maximilian, MiramOn
and Meiia.
Last Speech of the Unfortunate Prince.

Last Speech Of the Unfortunate Prince.
The New Orleans Times of the 9th instant
publishes an extra containing a rancherO let
ter from San Luis PotOsi, stating that at six
o'clock on the morning of June 10Th the troops
OF EscObedO formed short distance from the
city for the execution of Maximilian and his
Generals, the people of QueretarO fOcking by
thousands to see the closing scenes in the life
of the men they loved. AS the clock strikes I,
the bells toll and announce that the prisoners
have lett their prisons for the last time, and
are on their way to their execution. After a
few moments they appear, drawn in carriages
and large guard around them, the Emperor
first, NliramOn next, and Mejia last. AS they
near the place Of execution, convulsve sobs
break from the crowd. The carriages stop,
and the prisoners get out. Among the con-
clave you can hardly see dry eye. Tokens of
dissatisfaction are manifested. Maximilian, on
alighting, is saluted by the people. In an easy
and graceful manner, and with an elastic step,
he marched to the fatal spot. The prisoners
were dressed in plain manner. They were
not bound nor blndfolded. In taking his po-
sition, the Emperor spoke i'll a clear and firm
manner, and with nothing of bravado. He
seemed to feel his situation, and said when he
was first waited upon at home by the deputa-
tiOn from Mexico who came with credentials
offering him the Government of the country,
he refused. AT subsequent meeting the pro-
position was again presented, and he replied
that if convinced that the majority thought
that it was to their interest to place hun at the
head of the Government he might CONSENT
Another deputatiOn waited on him and brought
additional testimonials. Upon advice from
the Powers of Europe, who advised him that
there was no other course to pursue, he accept
ed the call. He deniel that the Court that tried
him had right to do so. His was case of
! good faith The nations of the world had
| pledged their faith to him. He never would
have done the act had it not been for the good
of Mexico. In conclusion, he hoped that his
! blood would stop the elfusOn OF blood In the
country.
Mlramon spoke from paper. The only re-
gret he felt in dyiug was that, should the l4lbe-
raj Party retain the Government, his children
would be pointed out as the children of trail
tor He told them that he was no traitor,
! but had always opposed liberal principles, and
always been against the disorder of the cOun-
try He should die as he lived, a conservative,
satisfied to die for his country. The fame of
his acts would live, aud pOsterity would Judge
whether he was right or wrong. lie closed
with the words, . ira la Emperor! ltcd Ia
MEXICO !"
Mea made no address; he went to Escobe
do and said he would die poor; that he haC
never made au effort to make money. Hl'
only wealth consisted in forty cattle in the
mountains. He asked that the merchants o
MatamOras, to whom he owed considerable
would not press his wife to pay his debts wheI
! they came into possession of the money LET
them by the kindness of the Emperor.
After MiramOn ceased speaking, the guarC
, was drawn up. The prisoners were standing
facing them The Emperor called the ser
D gcant, and drawing from his pocket a handful
e of $50 pieces, he gave them to him, and re
n quested that after his death he would divid
r them with his company, asking as favor tina
n he would aim his bullet at his heart. The Of
t fcers gave the signal, the yolley was fired, an
C the prisoners lay stretched on the ground. Tn
c Emperor was not quite dead There was con
), siderable quivcring Of thc muscles. Five ball
had entered his breast. Two soldiers wer
l. then called out, who shot him in the side. !
= sheet was thrown over the Emperor by th
e doctor, who was to embalul his body. Th
S bodies were then taken by their respectiy
of friends, and the troops moved back to the
st quarters, while thousands remained, kept by
le supernatural agency.