The New York herald., 1867-05-26

be more than . match for the best English
vessels of war.
Tho Death Rattle Of tho Mexican Empiro.
Mexican affairs are rapidly eliminating in
Importance. By the cable we have news that
the Austrian Minister at Washington has re-
ceived instructions from his government to
open negotiations with Juares to save the life
OF Maximilian. In truth there is reason for the
old Hspsburg throne to shake from fear that
its last dlibuster may pay for his folly with
his life; for the news from the scene Of his ex-
ploits is most exciting, and, as he has sustained
bis transient empire in the most bloody DEGREES
and by the desolation Of half of Mexico, 80 his
power Is sinking under the weight Of and even
threatens to be completely drowned in blood.
From Mexico city como the most horrible
accounts OF the pressure which Marquez, the
most desperate Mexican cutthroat in the i'm
perial service, Is placing on the city. One
million of dollars was demanded inside Of
forty-eigbt hours, and the most fearful out
RACES perpetrated upon all the foreign mer-
chants, except Americans, who would not pay
tuVh 0SSScoiuCutSs AuC lOiOASn uutiOub dI0
thus getting return argument for the one
they used at the invasion of the country-that
the imperialists went there to restore the bless
ings of peace, and that the empire was order
General Diaz has cut the aqueducts that supply
the city with water and the people are now
reduced to the artesian wells for scanty
supply. Every effort is, in fact, being made by
the leaders to preserve their lives a little
longer, and they are defending themselves
with the desperation Of men who fight with
halters around their necks. The diplomatic
corps have suspended all relations with
the empire, and MARQUEE coolly thinks that
this demands future decision. He is making
them drink to the dregs of the liquor they
have for four years been distilling Two
Americans have also felt the weight OF the
imperial rule, and are in close confinement
Three French officers were shot for treachery,
and the Austrian contingent, refusing longer to
serve, had disbanded.
The celebrated castle Of Chapultepec was
stormed and taken on the l4th instant by the
liberals, their lines advanced close to the city,
and everything indicated that at an early day
Mexico would fall. The fact that Diaz had
been re-eniorced from Queretaro indicates that
the liberals have more troops than they require
at that point to starve out Macmillan, who, it
appears, desires to surrender, but Is prevented
and almost held prisoner by his friends,
Miramon and Mejia, who do not relish the
treatment that outraged Mexico has in store
for them. On the 9Th instant dash was made
against the liberal lines, which resulted in Q
hot fight of several hours, the imperialists
being finally repulsed and driven to their
works. The heavy guns which opened fire on
the besieged city ON the 9Th, must soon reduce
1t to submission.
This Mexican strife cannot endure more than
two weeks longer. Vera Cruz is nearly starved
out. AT the capital the imperial troops them
selves with the example set them by the for
eign officers and the Austrians, must only be held
together by the most bloody discipline. The
policy of the liberal government appears not
to be lost sight Of They rely as much on time
as on hard fighting, feeling that the sentiment Of
the country is growing daily to unanlmity
against the empire. They can, therefore, tor
ture the dying game as long as they please,
and no doubt are enjoying the pleasure as an
offset for the barbarism that has stained every
line of march which Imperialism has traced
over Mexico.
Frightened Europe, having dared to disturb
the march Of republicanism in the New World,
looks on aghast at the storm it has created
first begs the great republic to save its
royal blood, and then, still fearful, proposes
direct negotiation with Benito Juarez, the man
upon whose head Macmillan long since set
price, which as yet he has never revoked. The
Austrian eagle is making a strange futter at
the chance of losing stray quill, and makes
a mistake with the Mexican government in
supposing that direct application will be Of
greater value than that made through our gov
ernment. II was the fashion in olden times to
ransom captive princes-perhaps that may be
the present intention. Certainly the Mexican
government is hard pressed for cash and might
be very willing to accept ten millions Of dol
lars for man who was not wise enough to
know when to go home. II the Austrians, in
the poverty Of their treasury, have no cash to
spend, they will only make bad matter worse
by interfering. We long since informed the
public that the constitutional Mexican govern
ment we're determined to have no foreign inter-
ference in their affairs from any quarter; and
Juarez is man to adhere TO his resolution.
The note of Mr.. Seward has doubtless been re-
ceived with Mexican politeness, but we are not
informed If the answer was satisfactory. Had
IL been we should have heard of 1t ere this
We shall be surprised II the Mexican author
tiles are influenced in the slightest degree
by these government applications for Maxi
milians life. They know well what lesson
they have to teach Europe, and the red
Of the country has no more
respect for what Europe is pleased TO term
roval blood than n has for the blood of the