Sharp County record., 1878-10-03


Backed thus by the United States, Jua-
rez, who, up to this moment had been d
mere cipher, became a formidable pow,
or Maximilian, without an army ana
without money, was still calm, dlg nj
fed, and collected. At this moment
report reached him that Almonte, whom
he had sent as minister to Napoleon,
had visited his old chief, Santa Anna, at
St. Thomas, and had favored the plan
of the latter to invade Mexico from the
United States, with the view OF Wrestling
the power from the Emperor. lie ex-
claimed in Cabinet Council: IF Al
monte has betrayed me, l can trust
none!"
Carlotta who had just returned from
a long and dangerous journey to 1uca-
tan. where she had been to transact
some business of State for the Emperor,
was present at this Cabinet meeting
When she saw that none of the minis
ters responded to the Emperor's words,
she rose and approached him.
"Your Majesty can trust me-, sne
said. 81 will be your ambassador to
France. shall be ready by 10 O'Clock
tomorrow. .r
"What!" said the Emperor, "wlll
you thus PROSTATE yourself before the
hereditary enemy of your house, and
ask favors of him?"
eyes" said Carlotta, 81 will saeri-
flee my pride and my life, if need be,
for your Majesty and Mexico"
All present were deeply moved by this
act of devotion, and as the Empress left
the hall to prepare for her journey, they
profoundly bowed their thanks as to a
superior being.
THE EIPREsS'S MISSION.
Carlotta set out on her melancholy
mission with a heart that was strong
and courageous, despite many forebod-
ings of evil. The roads to the coast
were bad; the climates through which
she had to pass were treacherous; yel-
low fever lurked everywhere, and the
presentiment of failure, after all her
sacrifices, must have been, in the last
degree, oppressive to her. [ supposed
at one time that these natural causes
might account for the wreck of her firm,
comprehensive and vigorous intellect,
but [ have since been satisfied that,
though her body might have become the
victim of disease, it was scarcely posi-.
BILE that such mind as Carlotta'S could
have been destroyed by the ordinary dis
eases of a tropical climate, or even by
the bitterness of her misfOrtunes. She
was far too brave woman to yield tC
misfortunes of any kind. | have learn.
ed from Mexico within the last y months
that Carlotta was the victim of poison,
and l fear the theory, dreadful as it is,
is true. There is in Mexico an herb, OF
small tree, called ell Palo de leche, which,
if mixed with food and eaten, gradually
produces softening of the brain, and il
is generally asserted and believed that
this herb was administered to the EN-
press by an educated Mexican lady ir
whom Garlotta reposed entire cont
dence, and on whom she had showered
every favor. After cold reception by
Napoleon and denial of her petition
for aid to Macmillan, she fastened tC
Miramar and thence to Rome, and or
the way frequently expressed her opin
ion that she was poisoned. Arrived a
Rome, she proceeded to the Vatican
where, in an interview with the Pope
her mind entirely gave way, and she has
beeninsane ever since-her husband anC
herself having fallen victims to thu
treachery of two Mexicans whom they
had loaded with favors.
In the meantime Maximilian removed
himself from evils and difficulties which
he could not overcome by going to Ori
zaba, which is within days trip of thu
coast. | determined to visit him there
and to induce him, if possible, to leave
the country. This was in the autumn
of 1866. l found the Emperor withou
a Cabinet, and with no one to consul
except his private chaplain, Fathe
Fischer, Roman Catholic priest, de
voted friend and an honest man. Th,
DIlllSu NlulSUCl-UuC llOll NIL. OCdl lGJ
"a man of the highest character,w was al
so in Orizaba, but l think was not au
thorized to interfere. The Austrians
gallant fellows, were willing to die fo
Maximilian, but had too much respec
for him to approach him unbidden.
saw he was in need of a friend, procur
ed an interview, and told him at one,
and frankly that l came to serve him a
personal friend. He asked me how
and | replied: "By inducing your Ma
jesty to leave the country at once, to
morrow, and to 60 on board the Aus
trian frigate lying near Vera Cruz a
your orders, and to issue proclama
ton to the world, stating the motive
which induced you to come to Mexico
to show, by reference to your acts, wha
you have already done toward the ad
vancement of Mexico, and to put the re
Sponsibility of any failure on Napoleon