nation the offered crown. He assumed the power conferred on him, but "would retain it only till order could be reëstablished in Mexico, with wisely liberal institutions." He would "hasten to place the monarchy under constitutional laws so soon as complete pacification had been attained." The oath was thereupon administered, followed by a triple viva to the new emperor and empress, in whose honor the imperial Mexican flag was hoisted amidst salvos from battle-ships and batteries. During the te deum services in the chapel, Maximilian wore the Guadalupe order. A banquet concluded the ceremonies.[1]
The same day were issued decrees dissolving the regency, and appointing Almonte lieutenant of the empire, to govern for the emperor; sedate old Joaquin Velazquez de Leon minister of state; Arrangoiz, Hidalgo, and Murphy ministers plenipotentiary to Belgium, France, and Austria, respectively; Woll adjutant-general; and a number of foreign and Mexican nobles and gentlemen as officers of the imperial household,[2]several of whom were decorated with the order of Guadalupe, now restored.[3]The empress was declared regent in case of accident.[4]
A more important transaction was the signing of the convention with Napoleon, whereby it was agreed
- ↑ The speeches and ceremonies are recorded in Méx., Boletin Ley., 1864, 3-12, together with names of those attending. The ceremonies are inore fully described in Miramar á Mex., 14 et seq., with portraits. Estrada knelt to kiss the hand of the emperor, 'en señal de homenage,' says this and other Mexican authorities, whereat republicans wax wrathy; but Arrangoiz doubts it. 'Enthusiastic tears were shed' by Mexicans; 'the emperor was too moved to attend the banquet,' and so forth. See also Arrangoiz, Méj., 199, app. 28 et seq.; Parthe, Interven., 35-40; Hall's Life Max., 79-83; Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 173-6. In Max. y Carlota, Adven., 105-24, is a full account, compiled from letters and periodicals.
- ↑ Count de Zichy, grand master to the empress; Count de Bombelles, chamberlain to the emperor; Marquis de Corio, chamberlain to the empress; Counselor Schertzenlechner, director of the civil list; Angel Iglesias, provisional secretary of the cabinet; Ontiveros, Schaffer, Günner, adjutants; and several others for the private service of the emperor, Eloin, secretary, acquiring great influence. See Max. y Carlota, Adven., 129-30; Méx., Boletin Ley., 1864, 13-15. Leon was very ugly, but polite and refined; Iglesias, an attractive man of mistrusting disposition.
- ↑ Decree and names in Id., 15-18. The order was divided into five classes, Gutierrez receiving the grand cross, as did the generals Marquez and Mejía.
- ↑ Mex., Col. Leyes Imp., i. 17.
