Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-11-22
MAxlMlLIAN,s ".sLAck DECREE
rhe Ungortunats Monarch saia To BE y
Martyr 60 His wires Ambition.

kM0 B0A0rCumnt0 M0u8ron S8A0 10 De
Martyr 60 His wires Ambition.
The princess Josefa de Iturbide, who
still reveres the memory OF Maximilian,
had told me 50 much Of his sincere de-
sire to @regenerate Mexico and his
firm belief that he was not offered the
throne by q mere faction, but by q large
majority of the people, that one day /
ventured to reply: Princess, admit
all you have said with regard to Maxi
milan, but Carlotta certainly was a
monster Of cruelty-so ambitious that
she was willing to wade TO the throne
through sea Of biood-and to her infiu-
snces is attributed the issuance of the
Black Decree" You can scarcely ex-
cuse her for the PRONUNCIATION of that
infamous measure" The princess turned
shade paler and replied:
"The real history of the decree is lit
lie known. The suggestion of that mill
tary measure cana from France. Not
only Bazaine-whom / SO often warned
his majesty was an arch traitor-but
other commanders indorsed and urged
it; but from personal knowledge as
sure you the emperor three times re-
fused to sign it. Then the ministers
said: 1t need not be enforced. Sign
the document and let the decree be pro-
mulgated and merely held in terrorism
over the heads of the rebels At
fourth meeting of the council some of
the most distinguished French and Mex
ican generals were permitted to assist.
and upon the full understanding that
the decree of death was not to be en-
forced, but that on various pretexts
lives were to be spared his majesty
signed the order, and only upon the con-
dition have named did the empress
urge him to consent to its promulga-
tion."
For the benefit of our countrymen
who have never heard of this episode in
Mexico's last struggle for liberty / beg
leave to state that the substance of the
imperial order, generally called THE
Black Decree, was:
@If any Mexican taken in arms re-
fuses to swear allegiance to the Impe-
rial government, he shall be shot
within twenty-four hours.
MAMMALIAN.
Boys of from 10 to 90 years of age and
hundreds-some assert thousands-of
patriotic men were murdered because
they refused to take the oath OF fealty
TO the emperor. 1t has been affirmed
that the "Black Decree" occasioned the
death of 5000 Mexicans. Mothers have
told me of their youthful sons, who,
animated by patriotism, secretly left
their homes and colleges to join the pa
triots in defense of their country and,
having been taken prisoners, were shot
few hours after their arrest without
being allowed even spiritual aid or con-
ISOLATION, colonels, captains, and others
stating: @There is no priest here" "We
have no time to seek for godly counsel
ors, etc. Some OF these victims were
even denied the meagre privilege of
writing q few words Of farewell to their
parents and other dear ones-wives
or children, officers brutally stating:
@We can not furnish writing materials
or undertake to transmit letters for
hordes Of rebels
Maximilian bewaiIed his weakness
when to late to stay the evil he had
sanctioned, but Carlotta rejoiced in the
death Of those who refused to acknowl-
edge imperial sway. and no sentiment
Of pity did she ever express for bereaved
wives, orphaned children or SOUL
stricken parents. Therefore the women
Of Mexico in geDeral say: "God pun
ished her; her insanity is a Judgment"
yet Macmillan is pitied lis regarded as
martyr to his wife's ambition. City of
Mexico Cor. Philadelphia Times.