The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-07-19


The Execution of Maximilian, Mira
mon and Mejia-Interestiag
Particulars.
[San Luis Correspondence Of the New Orleans
THE EXECUTION.
At six o'clock on the morning of the 10th
the troops of Escobedo formed short dis
tance from the city for the execution of
Macmillan and his generals, the people of
Queretaro focking by thousands to see the
closing scenes in the life of those they loved.
AS the clock strikes seven the bells toll and
announce that the prisoners have left their
prisons for the last time, and are on their
way to their execution. After few mo-
ments they appear, drawn in carriages
and large guard around them, the EN-
peror first, Miramon next, and Mejia last.
As they near the place of execution, con-
vulsive throbs break from the crowd. The
carriages stopt and the prisoners get out.
Among the conelave you can hardly see
dry eye. Macmillan on alighting, is salu-
ted by the people. In an easy and graceful
manner, and with an elastic step, he march
ed to the fatal spot. The prisoners were
dressed in plain manner. They were not
bound or blindfolded: In taking his posi-
ton the Emperor spoke in 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
deputation from Mexico who came with
the country, he refused. AT subsequent
meeting, the proposition was again present
ed, and he replied that if convinced that
the majority thought that it was to their
interest to place him at the head of the gov
ernment, he might consent. Another depu-
tation waited on him and brought addition
al testimonials. Upon advice from the
powers of Europe, who advised him that
there was no other course to pursue, he
accepted the call. He denied 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 con-
clusion he hoped his blood would stop the
effusion of blood in the country.
Miramon spoke from paper. The only
regret he felt in dying was that, should the
Liberal party retain the government, his
children would be pointed out as the chill
drcn of traitor. He told them that he
was no traitor, but had always opposed lib
eral principles, and always been against the
disorder of the country. He should die,
as he lived, a conservative, satisfied to die
tor his country. The fame of his acts
would live, and posterity would judge
whether he was right or wrong. He closed
with the words viva la Emperor viva la
Mexico"
Mejia made no address; he went to Es-
cobedo, and said he would die poor, that
he had never made an effort to make
money. His only wealth consisted in forty
cattle in the mountains. He asked that
the merchants of Matamoras to whom he
owed considerable, would not press his
wife to pay his debts, when they came
into possession of the money left them by
kindness of the Emperor.
After Miramon ceased speaking, the
guard was drawn up. The prisoners were
standing facing them. The Emperor call
ed the sergeant, and drawing from his
pocket handful Of twenty dollar pieces,
he gave them to him, aud requested that
after his death he would divide them with
his company, asking as a favor that he
would aim his bullet at his heart. The
officer gave the signal, the volley was
fired, and the prisoners. lay stretched on
the ground. The Emperor was not quite
dead. There was considerable quivering
of the muscles. Five balls had entered
his breast. Two soldiers were then called
out, who shot him in the side. Miramon
and Mejia were killed by the first volley =
Each of the four balls entered in the breast.
a sheet was thrown over the Emperor by
the doctor, who was to embalm his
body. The bodies were then taken by
their respective friends, and the troops
moved back to ther quarters. while thous-
ands remained, kept BY supernatural
agency.
THE LAST HOURS OF MAMMALIAN.
A correspondent Of the Brown sville
Rdnchero. writing from the Fresnillo, Mex
leo says:
81 have seen friend who mas just ar
rived from Queretaro, and who had an in
terview with the Emperor. He was closely
confined in convent with his general Off
GERS. Although my friend is no Imperial
list, he described the calmness with which
the Emperor spoke of his execution, and
the quiet ~iigni6ed bearing under his
weight of misfortunes, as having been deep
ly affecting.
1t would seem his conquerors cared little
for the personal comfort Of their royal
prisoner. He had no change of linen, and
a gentleman from San Luis supplied him
with the contents of his portmanteau which
was gratefully received"
The Ranchero of the 2Sth, adds the fol-
lowing as the prime cause of his death
"a gentleman just in from the interior,
whois we'll posted in Mexican affairs, states
to us some rather startling facts in relation
to the execution of Maximilian
From his intercourse with leading Mex
leans, this gentleman states most positively
that it was Stewards letteS requesting the
sparing of Maximilians fife that directly
caused his death. Prominent Mexican
officials freely admit that there was no
thought of executing the Emperor on his
falling into the hands of the liberals, pre-
vious to the reception, by Juarez, of this
request from the government Of the United
States. On the reception of that, how
ever, determination to put the Emperor
to death was almost unanimous, both in the
army and out of it, and it was worth
Juarez's life to have denied acceding TO
the clamors for his execution
MAMMALIAN S IMPORTS TO ESCAPE.
E7 Obserrador of Matamoras, tells how,
Il IN