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tending only to their own private projects, had taken resolutions contrary to the opinion of the country, in the gravest and most transcendent questions. Maximilian agreed to the indications of Napoleon, because it suited his ambitious projects respecting Austria; and he deceived Napoleon by making him believe that he accepted in good faith the throne of Mexico, when he really wished it to serve merely as a theatre in which he could make himself known to the Austrian ultra-liberals. The article to which I refer comprised all that had been done by Generals Almonte and Salas, in the affair of the promissory notes, the treaty respecting Sonora, and the bank concession.»
«Page 279.—Mr. Gwin had not abandoned his project for the colonization of Sonora. In order to be able to carry it out, he again saw Napoleon and asked his co operation; and although, according to the dispatch of Hidalgo, dated April 30th of the preceding year, M. Drouyn de Lhuys had said that he did not give him Mr. Gain's project with the intention of recommending it to him, hut solely with that of making it known to the Mexican Government, yet Napoleon recommended General Bazaine, through M. Corta, Secretary to His Majesty, to protect the plan of Mr. Gwin.
The recommendation of a project so fatal for the Empire having become publicly known, the press attacked it very severely, especially the satirical newspapers La Orquesta, La Sombra, La Cuchara, El Buscapié andLos Espejuelos del Diablo, the editors of which were imprisoned on the 22nd of March, by order of Marshal Bazaine, the French chief disingenuously alleging, as the basis of this arbitrary measure, that the decree of November 1863, declaring a state of siege, was still in force»
«Page 281.—In no particular have there been more absurdities committed, during the Empire, than in the colonization projects. It was desired that the Latin race should recover its vitality and prestige on the other side of the ocean, so as to form a dyke which would stem the inva-
