Sharp County record., 1878-10-03
MAXIMILIAN'S REIGN.

Emperor's Death.
The Philadelphia Times has some ex-
tracts from the autobiograpical papers
left bv the late Confederate General, }.
B. Magruder, which contain many inter-
esting "reminiscences of the last days OF
Maximilian's empire. Gen. Magruder,
with other Confederates, went to Mexico
Immediately after the close of the rebel
lion, and was graciously received and
given Office by Maxirnilian. Gen. Ma
gruder wrote;
The country was almost entirely un-
der the control of Maximilian at the
time of our arrival in the City of Mexico.
Juarez was at Chihuahua, retreating
toward the Rio Grande, EScobedo and
the robber Cortina were at Matamoras,
within stones throw of Texas. Yucca
tan was imperial and all the people rec
ognized Maximilian except a small num-
ber in Michiocau and Sonora, and a few
predatory bands elsewhere. Maximil-
ian, having carried out the policy OF
Juarez of sequestering and utilizing the
Church property, had excited the ire of
the Pope and Church party, much to the
distress of Carlotta, and change OF
ministry having taken place the Liberal
party was now in power.
The Emperor, few days after our
interview, published his plan of cOloni-
zation and decree for the survey OF
public lands. He organized Bureau OF
immigration and Surveys and placed it
under the control of Carlotta. Capt.
Maury, the distinguished author of the
wind and current charts, and formerly
of the United States Navy, was appoint
ed ''Imperial Astronomer and Commis-
sioner of Immigration" and Gen. Ma
gruder, ''Chief of the Land-otfice and
Superintendent of Surveys" The EN-
peror authorized proclamations to be
sent to all countries, inviting immigra-
ton on the largest scale, appropri-
ating money for transportation and
subsistence, and providing lands
for immigrants on their arrival.
Capt. Maury issued the necessary
notices and made arrangements
for carrying the designs of the Govern
ment into practical effect. | employed
some hundred surveyors and prepared
the lands for occupation. Within a
few months thereafter some 200 Ger
mans arrived in Mexico, and abont 500
Americans (some of them from the
North) settled and cultivated lands near
Cordova, in the Terra Templada, or
temperate region, which extends from
below Vera Cruz, running parallel with
the Gulf coast almost to Texas, com
manding the gulf on the one hand and
the mountains passes into the interior
of Mexico on the other. Could Maxi
milan have retained his Government,
Mexico, by this simple means, would
have been completely regenerated. He
would have added in giving her re-
publican form of government suited to
her interests. She would have enjoyed
real liberty and prosperity, and would
have become either valuable neighbOr
to the United States or an integral part
of the Union.
At this time, toward the close of the
year 1865, the internal Improvements of
Mexico were rapidly progressing, and l
had several interviews with their Majes-
ties. They seemed never to tire of the
subject of the United States; and |
think Macmillan had some idea of vis-
iting this country himself or of sending
Carlotta to represent his views; for, ,one
day, after long conversation in regard
to the United States, the Empress ex-
claimed, "Oh, how l should like to
make tour through your country!"
And Maximilian said, "And l should
like it greatly. Do you think, General,
that there would be any danger in my
doing soP'
was about to say no at first, but then
answered quickly; "Yes, your Majesty,
there is great danger in your visiting
the United States"
"What is itP" he asked surprised.
"Why," l replied, eff your Majesty
were to visit the United States there is
great danger that, with your liberal
principles, you would be sent to Con-
gressi''
He laughed and said prophetically:
"Perhaps a much sadder fate awaits
me-"
THE EMPIRES DOWNFALL.
Early in 1866, when all was serene,
prosperous, and progressive in Mexico,
Mr.. Stewards correspondence with the
French Government in relation to Max
imilian, and the decision of Napoleon
thereon, were published in Mexico.
The sound of Mr.. Stewards bell was
heard in Paris; its mandate was obse-
quiously obeyed and the Empire of
Mexico was thing OF the past. BY or
der of the United States, Napoleon fixed
a stain upon the honor of France which
will remain there through all time.
He gave orders for the withdrawal of
his army within specified and short
Al. g