The Emperor at Orizaba
Herzfeld’s knowledge of the real state of affairs and anxiety for his
master’s safety soon caused him to lay aside all other considerations
and follow the Emperor to Orizaba, where he urged preparations for
departure with all possible despatch. In the midst of those, however, he
was ordered to Europe by Maximilian to prepare for his arrival there.
Thus this loyal friend was spared being a witness of the Emperor’s
tragic fate.
During his stay in Orizaba Maximilian led a simple, secluded life in his
palace, seeing only his intimate associates, but occupied with
arrangements for departure, and the settling of his private affairs.
Much to his satisfaction, his Civil List showed a balance in his favor
of $180,000. All his servants but two were paid and dismissed. Colonel
Kodolitsch was sent to Mexico to arrange with Bazaine concerning the
Austrian and Belgian volunteers, who had followed Maximilian to Mexico
and for whose future he felt it his duty to provide. One question much
discussed confidentially, and which Maximilian seemed quite unable to
decide, was as to whether the abdication should take place before his
departure or in Europe, where he had accepted the crown. His plans for
the future were already made. It was not his intention to return at once
to Austria, but to travel for two years, meeting the Empress at Corfu,
if her condition should permit. Meanwhile his own health had greatly
improved. With his two countrymen, Dr. Basch and Professor Bilimek, he
made frequent excursions about the neighborhood, enjoying the wonderful
scenery or searching for rare specimens of plants and insects. Suddenly,
however, events occurred which changed the aspect of affairs and
effectually put an end to the Emperor’s plans of travel.
Two old comrades-in-arms in the Mexican army, Generals Marquez and
Miramon, returned from Europe and, seeking an immediate audience with
the Emperor, urged him to return to the capital, holding out promises of
support and encouraging prospects for the imperial cause. While
Maximilian was hesitating, a letter arrived from Bazaine, which turned
the scale. In this the Marshal was so imprudent as to tell tales out of
school, betraying the fact that Napoleon III had made other plans for
Mexico without consulting Maximilian, who, as he had not yet abdicated,
was still sovereign of the country. This arbitrary conduct on the part
of his ally roused Maximilian to action. Indignant at the slight cast
upon him and anxious to prove that he was not slinking away at the
bidding of France like a disgraced servant, he was in a proper frame of
mind to respond to the appeal made by his conservative advisers, that it
was his duty to remain and not desert his party in the hour of danger.
Although outwardly preparations for departure continued as before, the
Emperor’s resolution was weakened, and toward the end of November he
summoned his council to Orizaba to consult with them as to the
advisability of his abdication, giving in an address to that body his
reasons for such a step, _viz._, the spread of the revolution with its
attendant evils, the hostility of the United States toward Mexico, and
the withdrawal of the support of France.
A vote was taken, twenty-three members of the council being present, of
whom two were for immediate abdication, ten of the opposite opinion,
while eleven were in favor of abdication, but held that the present was
not the time for such a step. Maximilian yielded to the majority and
agreed to remain on condition that funds should be raised for the proper
defence of the government and the organization of a permanent national
army, and that measures should be taken toward the settlement of
questions pending with France and the United States. The Mexicans,
proverbially lavish with promises, readily agreed to all these points,
and on the first of December the Emperor issued a manifesto to the
people, declaring that he had yielded to the desire of his council on
condition that a congress representing all parties should be summoned to
decide the existence of the Empire, and, if this were confirmed, he
would devote himself to the promotion of its welfare.
On the twelfth of December, 1866, Maximilian left Orizaba to return to
Mexico, accompanied by most of the members of the council who, in the
unsettled condition of the country, were glad to avail themselves of the
imperial escort, consisting as before of Colonel Kodolitsch’s hussars.
They consumed much time on the journey, lingering for nearly three weeks
at Puebla, Maximilian residing at first in the Xonaca palace, a short
distance outside the city. Here he held an interview with Castelnan, the
French consul, which appears to have been of a most unpleasant nature
and widened still further the breach between the two Emperors.
Scientific expeditions were also attempted by the three friends, as at
Orizaba, but, finding few specimens in the region about Puebla, these
excursions were soon abandoned and Maximilian moved his residence into
the city.
Arriving in Mexico on the fifth of January, 1867, Maximilian remained
for a time at the Hacienda de Teja, a quarter of an hour’s distance from
the capital. While there three of his former ministers, Ramirez,
Escudero, and Robles y Pezuela, made a final attempt to induce him to
abdicate and leave the country at once. But although evidently impressed
by their arguments he refused to follow their advice. The accusations of
vacillation and irresolution afterward made against Maximilian would
seem to be justified by his behavior at this time. Doubtful of himself
and of the future, he still clung to the hope of being able at least to
retire with honor, conscious of having fulfilled his duty to his
adherents. In relating to his physician the interview with his
ex-ministers, he declared that Ramirez wept at parting, expressing the
earnest wish that his evil forebodings might not be realized. He knew
but too well how deceptive were the promises of his countrymen.
“In no case,” continued the Emperor, “will I remain here more than a few
months, only until affairs are more settled. Will it injure my health,
do you think, to stay on in Mexico? Will the fever return?”
“I have no anxiety as to Your Majesty’s health on that score,” replied
the physician; “it is Your Majesty’s life I fear for.”
Maximilian’s attempts to convoke an assembly of liberal representatives
from all parties to discuss measures for remedying the existing
disorders in the country met with small success, as might have been
expected. It seemed impossible to obtain any sort of peaceful fusion or
coöperation, and there was nothing left for the Junta (congress) but to
declare war on the rebels in Mexico—war to the knife.