“Paris, January 10, 1867.  French Consul, New Orleans, La.

“To general CASTELNAU, at Mexico.

“Received your despatch of the 9th December.  Do not compel the Emperor to abdicate, but do not delay the departure of the troops; bring back all those who will not remain there.  Most of the fleet has left.

“Napoleon.”

This meant the immediate withdrawal of the French.  The rest of the story—­which has necessarily been but in outline—­is soon told.  Maximilian, though deserted, determined to hold out to the last, and with the aid of disloyal Mexicans stuck to his cause till the spring.  When taken prisoner at Queretaro, he was tried and executed under circumstances that are well known.  From promptings of humanity Secretary Seward tried hard to save the Imperial prisoner, but without success.  The Secretary’s plea for mercy was sent through me at New Orleans, and to make speed I hired a steamer to proceed with it across the Gulf to Tampico.  The document was carried by Sergeant White, one of my scouts, who crossed the country from Tampico, and delivered it to Escobedo at Queretaro; but Mr. Seward’s representations were without avail—­refused probably because little mercy had been shown certain Liberal leaders unfortunate enough to fall into Maximilian’s hands during the prosperous days of his Empire.

At the close of our war there was little hope for the Republic of Mexico.  Indeed, till our troops were concentrated on the Rio Grande there was none.  Our appearance in such force along the border permitted the Liberal leaders, refugees from their homes, to establish rendezvous whence they could promulgate their plans in safety, while the countenance thus given the cause, when hope was well-nigh gone, incited the Mexican people to renewed resistance.  Beginning again with very scant means, for they had lost about all, the Liberals saw their cause, under the influence of such significant and powerful backing, progress and steadily grow so strong that within two years Imperialism had received its death-blow.  I doubt very much whether such, results could have been achieved without the presence of an American army on the Rio Grande, which, be it remembered, was sent there because, in General Grant’s words, the French invasion of Mexico was so closely related to the rebellion as to be essentially a part of it.

CHAPTER X.

A. J. Hamilton appointed provisional Governor of Texas—­assembles A
constitutional convention—­the Texans dissatisfied—­lawlessness
—­oppressive legislation—­ex-confederates controlling Louisiana—­A
constitutional convention—­the meeting suppressed—­A bloody riot—­my
reports of the massacre—­portions suppressed by president Johnson
—­sustained by A congressional committee—­the reconstruction laws.