The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-22
MAXTMILIAN.

TroaaOn and Mexico her CrImO-AReot-
ing Letter TO Carlotta.
The Rsperdnz0, of Queretaro, June 90 pub
Kshes the following account of the execution of
Macmillan and his two generals. Don Tomas
Meiia and Miguel Miramon;-
BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
The delay OF thirty -four days, which kept our
Reope 80 long IN doubt, and aroused so much
excitement, is thus accounted for. The first
courier that reached San Luis on the morning of
Nav 10 bearing the news of the capture returned
here only on the 22d, and the Emperor was at
once notified that he must appear before court
martial He protested in writing demanding to
he tried by the Assembly OF NOtables who had
called him to the throne.
The trial was postponed and a message sent TO
Ahe President with the letter OF protest, aud the
documents that had been captured. Juarez's
answer was received on May 80. 1t was re-
fnsai of the demand, grounded on this inCon-
testable fact that the Assembly OF Notables had
NOT been conyoked by the head OF the republic;
hnt The President, animated by praiseworthy
feeling offered his safety to the Emperor on
eondition of the latter taking an oath never
again 10 tread on Mexican soil, and of his sign
iTle at the same time his own downfall. OF his
own accord, Macmillan said in a loud voice
that he would accept with pleasure this double
condition, if the officers and soldiers captured
along WITH him were also set free. At that time
he was ignorant of what had become OF Del Gas
tillo and AVellano. Even this requirement was
acceded TO; but il gave rise to conferences and
negotiations that could not fail TO be unsuc-
cesstul.
Meantime council of war was held on the
morning OF July IL, presided over by General
Corona and composed of Generals Escobedo,
Martinez, Ruis, and Negrete, with two colOnels.
The three prisoners we're brought before the
tribunal. Macmillan refused to have any
counsel; Mejia and Miramon chose one for them
both. We have not been able to get any details
of that session, which lasted only about an hour.
The prisoners were found guilty, and their con-
demnatlon, which was sent forward to San Luis
POtOsi that very day, was not returned confirmed
until the morning of July l8.
1t is known that the President was all along
inclined to clemency; but our Minister at Wash.
ington Senior Romero, had carried the day, aud
secured the order for his execution, although
full stress was laid upon the tact OF the small
majority that had voted in favor of the prl-
sOner's guilt.
AS soon as General Corona got possession of
the necessary document, the three prisoners
were informed OF their fate, bat they manifested
no surprise. Indeed by tins time they had
learned what had befailen some OF their COM
Tades.
THE LAST NIGHT.
Macmillan requested that they might
be allowed to remain together to the last.
This was kindly granted. They were
transferred to the old convent, which had
answered as hospital for the French
troops, and the principal hall Of which-on the
ground hoor-Was spacious and comfortable.
Is was in this room that the hospital drug shop
had been kept The room has two windows
looking out on the court yard gardens. At Que
end OF this room an altar was prepared. The
sentinels had orders to fire on any one who
should attempt 10 enter without a pass from
Captain Gonzales. AT all events, no one was
permitted at first to enter but Father Fischer,
Secretary and Coniessor of MaRimlllan. Later,
the Bishop of Queretaro offered his services,
which were accepted after short conference
between the prisoners. They passed most of
the night in conversation, aud in preparing
themselves for death. Miramon suffered great
deal from his wound in the eye, which he kept
constantly bathing with fresh water. Mejia
slept soundly.
AT one time Maximllian asked for some writing
materials; these were got with some difficulty,
as 1t was in the middle OF the night. He wrote
two letters, the first in German, to the Arch
duchess Sophia, his mother: the other to his
wife. He gave both letters to the bishop, re-
questing him to see that they be delivered. He
gave him also a lock of his hair, which the wife
OF one OF bis guards requested permission to cut
off herself. Before giving the lock of hair he
kissed 1t, folded it up carefully, and then slipped
it INTO the envelope already scaled for his wife,
About tour O'Clock Macmillan wished mass to
be said, which was done by the bishop, after
Mejia had been awakened. All then received
communion together.
After mass the Emperor remained long time
kneeling on the hard stones-tor they had no
pTie-dleU-with his eyes towards the ground and
his head resting on his hand in pensve atti-
tude. 1t is not known for certain whether he
was praying or weeping. Mramou was pale
and doWneast. Mejia seemed to be quite at
ease. We must bear in mind, however, that he
was an Indian, and that he deemed it glory to
die with his sovereign.
LEAVING THE PRISON.
When O'Clock had struck, the music of the
solemn procession was heard approaching, aud
Captain Gonzales entered the chapel with the
bandages in his hands to cover the prisoners
eyes. Miramon quietly allowed him to cover
his eyes, but Meiia refused, and as the Captain
was about to take measures to oyercome mi
resistance, the bishop uttered something to chi
Indian chief, who at once became submissive
But the Emperor, advancing, declared that h
would not allow his eyes to be bandaged. Afte
few moments of hesitation, Gonzales saluteC
Macmillan with q kind look, and placed him
self at the head of the escort.
The procession at once fell into line.
squadron of laDcers led the way, followed by tn
band, which played a dead march. A battalion
of infantry formed two lines, each four mel
deep, between which lines were the prisoners
When the procession reached the main door o
the convent Mejia cried out, "Sire, for the las
time shOw us again the example of your nob
courage; we follow in the footsteps of you
Majesty Just at this moment the Franciscan
were passing. The first two bore the cross AM
the holy water the remainder bore lighte'
tapers. Each OF the three collins was borne b
four Indians, and the three black crosses wild
the prisoners seats, were borne along at tn
rear. CAPTAIN Gonzales at this point made
sign TO Macmillan to step out into the street
He obeyed, advancing very courageousIy AS h
said in his broken Spanish, Vdnl0s nos a la llbe.
tdd. (Let us advance to our ireedom.)
THE EXECUTION.
The procession then wended its way along tn
Gale del Cementerio behind the church an
along the route by the aqueduct In sho
the view from below was imposing indeed. I'll
Emneror marched first with the Abbe Fisch