Spirit Of Jefferson

The Fate of Maximilian.

A letter dated San Luis Potosi, May 18th, states that private negotiations, some days previous to surrender, had been going on between three imperial generals and the liberals to sell one of the principal forts for forty eight thousand dollars. General Miguel Lopez, who is high in the confidence of Maximilian, was the principal actor in this treaty, and caused the surrender. On sending them a flag of truce, with his sword to Escobedo, Maximilian told him he surrendered unconditionally, and had three favors to ask. He wished not to be insulted, but to be treated as a prisoner, and if any person was to be shot, he should be first; and that his body might not be abused. None were shot, and it is thought that none would be, in consequence of the request made by the United States.

Saltillo dates to the 26th May say that the liberals now admit that up to the 7th the imperialists were successful in every engagement; from that time to the 15th nothing important transpired. Lopez, who acted as an escort to the Empress, was uncle to Bazaine, and a bosom friend of Maximilian, who was a godfather to his first child, and by his prowess won the cross of the Legion of Honor.

Col. Mariana Compas and Mendez are reported to have been shot some time shortly after the surrender.

LATER.

New Orleans, June 10.—We have dates from Mexico of the 2d inst.
Miramon was still dangerously ill from his wounds.
Mendez was executed on the 16th, by order of Escobedo, and Compas was shot a few hours after his legs had been amputated.
Maximilian gave up his sword in person to Escobedo, saying: "I surrender to you my sword owing to an infamous treason, without which to-morrow's sun would have seen yours in my hands."
Escobedo had ordered a court martial to assemble on the 19th, for the trial of the Emperor Maximilian. Maximilian had sent, through Diaz, a telegram to the Prussian Minister at Mexico, to get Mariano, Riva Palacio and Licentiate Martinez de la Torre to defend him.
The official list of officers made prisoners are Emperor Ferdinand Maximilian, Generals 14, Colonels 18, Lieut. Colonels 15, Captains and Brevet Lieut. Colonels 16, Majors 36, Captains 114, Lieutenants, Second Lieutenants 108—total 447.

The following is Maximilian's proclamation to his troops:

Countrymen:—After the valor and patriotism of the Republican forces have destroyed my sceptre in this place, the tenacious defence of which was indispensable to save the honor of my cause and of my race; after the bloody siege in which the Imperial and Republican soldiers have competed in abnegation and boldness, I will explain myself. Countrymen, I came to Mexico not only animated with the best of faith in insuring the felicity of all and each of us, but called and protected by the Emperor of France, Napoleon III. To the ridicule of France, abandoned me, cowardly and infamously, by demand of the United States, after having uselessly spent forces and treasure and shed the blood of her sons and your own. When the news of my fall and death reaches Europe, all the monarchs of Charlemagne's country will demand of the Napoleon dynasty an account of my blood—of the German, Belgian and French blood shed in Mexico. This will not be the end. Soon before the whole world, Napoleon III. will be covered with shame from head to foot. To-day he has seen his majesty the Emperor of Austria, my august brother, praying for my life to the United States, and myself a prisoner of war in the hands of the Republican Government with my crown and my head low and in pieces.
Countrymen—Here are my last words. I desire that my blood may regenerate Mexico and serve as a warning to all the ambitious and incautious, and that you will act with truthfulness and prudence, and ennoble with your virtues the political cause of the flag you sustain.
May Providence save you and make you worthy of myself.

[SIGNED.]
MAXIMILIAN.