Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-12-17
. MAXlMlLlAN'S "BLACK DECREE"
The Unfortunate Monarch Said To Be {
Martyr to His Wife's Ambition.


Martyr to His wife's Ambition.
The princess Josefa de Iturbide, who
still reveres the memory of Macmillan,
had told me SO much of his sincere de-
sire to degenerate Mexico" and his
firm belief that he was not offered the
throne by mere faction, but by 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 blood-and to her infiu-
ences 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
tie known. The suggestion of that mill
tary measure came 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 l 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
lean 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 ma jesty
signed the order, and only upon the con-
dition have named did the empress
urge him to consent to its promuga-
ton"
For the benefit of our countrvmen
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.
"MAXIMIIIAN
Boys of from l6 to 20 years of age and
hundreus-some assert thousands-of
patriotic men were murdered because
they refused to take the oath of fealtv
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
dnfApSA M nj
having been taken prisoners, were shot
few hours after their arrest without
being allowed even spiritual aid or con-
ISOLATION, colonies, captains, and others
stating: There is no priest here" I'VE
have no time to seek for godly counsel
ors, etc. Some of these victims were
even denied the meagre privilege of
writing 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.
Macmillan bewailed his weakness
when to late to stay the evil he had
sanctioned but Carlotta reioiced 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 general say: God pun
ished her; her insanity is a Judgment"
yet Macmillan is pitied-is regarded as
martyr to his wife's ambition. City of
Mexico Cor. Philadelphia Times