Year: 1878




der.


Philadelphia Times.l


In company with several other confeder-
ate officers, ! arrived in the city of Mexico
after journey of some 800 miles, princi
pally on horseback, weary and worn, ill-clad
and scantily supplied with money; but we
slept in peace and security for the first time
for four long years The relief from the
cares and responsibilities which had pressed
upon US so necessarily during the whole OF
this period was inexpressibly grateful. Our
thoughts reverted not to the past, nor wan
dered to the future. Repose and tranquility
were all we asked. Being refreshed by afew
days of rest, represented to the principal
confederate officers the propriety of calling
to pay our respects to the emperor and en-
press. This was at once assented to, and
having communicated our wishes,
through the proper channel, to the
emperor. a day was appointed for an
interview. Our nearly worn out uniforms
beng exchanged for the plain dress of Amer
ican citizens, we proceeded TO the ancient
palace of the Montezumas, now renovated
and superbly furnished, and were shown in
to an ante-room to await the summons of
their majesties. As i, with many Others,
had become familiar with the palace 1Syears
before, when the American army held posses
sion of the city, felt quite at home here.
In few minutes aH usher In uniform ap-





me alone. entered the hall OF reception
and was presented to the emperor and en-
press, who were standing at the further end
of the room. The emperor seemed to be
about "a years old. Tall and commanding
in stature, his person was a model of manly
beauty, and his face denoted greater strength
and hrmness than had expected from the
photographs had seen of him. The empress
was also tall, beau fully formed and grace
fll in the highest degree. Her dark brown
hair and long black eyelasbes, yelling lus-
trous eyes of gray, seemed to deepen the
melancholy expression OF her face. Her
features were clearly defined and classic in
the extreme. She was somewhat pale, and
her complexion was evidently injured by ex-
posure to sun and rain, which it was known
she disregarded in the performance of her
duties either of state or charity. Repose was
the predominant expression of her face and
form.


Seating themselves on a sofa and request
ing me to be seated, the emperor asked many
questions in relation to the state of affairs in
tue United States, the foreign policy of the
government and the trade and commerce of
the country. AT length the empress, who
sitting nearest me, asked If any obstacle
existed in the United States to the reeogni-
ton of the imperial government. / did not
wish gravely to discuss politics with a lady.
particularly L could give her no hope,





answered in these words:


Yes, your majesty, will tell you frankly
there does exist in The United States an OBJ
stacle to the recognition of the empire"


And what is it2' she asked.


why, your majesty, it was born of timid-
ity but / fear it is now the child of srrO-
gance. 1t is also thing of air for it is used
by the contending political parties in the
United States as ashuttlecock, the politicians
being the performers and the people the
spectators and il is kept up with surprising
skill and pertiDacity lest it fall to the ground,
and the losers IN the game thus displease the
audience"


what can 1t be2'' she asked again.


"Your majesty, it is the Monroe doctrine
the shuttlecock of politicians"


She comprehended at once. Turning to
the emperor she suggested that the usher be
dismissed, and that | should introduce my
compalriots, remarkiDg that it would relieve
the interview of the stiffness and formality
which might be embarrassing Bowing my
assent, L brought in my friends and present
ed them. After warm reception Maxlmil-
ian addressed us in the following words


Gentlemen, you have great war in your
country. 1t has been a war of giants The
world has looked upon it aghast You of
the south have lost, and your misfortunes
are so great that they make you the brothers
of all honorable men throughout the world.
As brother, therefore, receive you. L am
10 learn that some of you intend to remain in
Mexico. / welcome you cordially, but upon
two conditions: First that you obey this
country's laws, and second, that you will not
interfere with politics, either domestic or
foreign. 1t may seem natural TO you that
should receive such war veterans as
you are into my military service and thus
secure my throne. But this can not be, At
ter the most mature reflection both at Mir
amar and IN Mexico. have arrived at the
conclusion, from which will never vary,
that no government OF whatever form can
exist permanently in Mexico which fails to
WIN the good will of the government and
people OF the United States. Under present
circumstances your appointments to mill
tary positions in this country would give
Just cause of offense to your goyernmentand
people, and therefore you must not expect
1T. But will avail myself with great pleas
ure of the services of such Of you as may re-
main here In order to introduce into the
country the admirable public land system of
the United States and your system of immi-
grafton. This is the policy of peace. This
was the policy Of my predecessor. This will
make Mexico rich and prosperous for herself
and valuable as neighbor to the United
States, and this can give offense TO none."
He was quite relieved when he was in
formed that we had predetermined at Mon
terey not to enter the military service Of