The New York Herald Newspaper, June 3, 1865, Page 2

av’ 3 sat MEXICO. Relation of the Empire to the United States. ~—eeeeeeeet The Emperor No Friend of the ‘Late Rebellion, IMPORTANT FROM GUATEMALA. Rumored Alliance Between That State and Mexico. Departure of Marshal Bazaine and Several Thousand French Troops for Chihuahua. How to Get to the City of Mexico from New York—The Cost, the Ro- mance and the Risks. JOURNEY OVER THE MEXICAN ANDES. MOUNTAIN DILIGENCE TRAVELLING @. Glance at the Spanish-American Capital. THE EMPEROR'S HOUSEHOLD AND CABINET. UFE IN THE IMPERIAL ITY. The Emperor and Empress at the Opera. THE EXTREMES OF WEALTH AND POVERTY PROFESSIONAL BEGGARS IN THE CAPITAL. THE MEXICAN MUSEUM AND COINAGE, &c., hey &c. Our City of Mexico Correspondence. Crry or Mexico, April 27, 1865, Desireof Maximilian and His Cabinet for Recognition vy the United States—The Emperor No Friend of the late Rebels, But Wishes to Establish Friendly Relations with the Ame- rican Government—Curtous Oficial Circular from Gua- temala to the Mexican and Central American Govern- ments— Rumors of an Alliance Between the Mexican Em- pire and Guatemala—Life in Mezico Under the New Ré- gime—The Imperial Couple at the Opera House—Music, Masquerades and Fashion at the Capital—Appearance of the French, Austrian and Belgian Soldiery, dc. Some of the arguments pro and con used in Mexico on ‘the question of recognition by the United States have ‘been given in a previous letter. It is a question which ‘@t this moment occupies the attention of Mexican states- Men beyond all others. It bas been thought, in case the ‘United States should refuse to recognize the empire, that Maximilian, under the advice of his sovereign friends above mentioned, would have recognized the Southern confederacy. But this is by no means probable. How- ver beneficent and philanthropic may have been the ‘views of Maximilian in his regenerating enterprise in ‘Mexico, there can be but one opinion as to what was the ‘aim of the Emperor Napoleon in originating tho idea, ‘This was to avail himself of the embarrassed condition of the American government to establish a barrier to the continued extension of republican institutions on this continent; in a word, to check the further advancement of the United States to the southward. SYMPATHING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT. If this policy had been shared by Maximilian there {s every reason why he should have feared the establishment on his northern frontier of an aggressive military power in case the South should be successful. One of the original cbjects of the seccasionists was the extension of the slaveholding power to the southward; and in case of their becoming (independent, to overrun Mexico and Central America, and eventually acquire Cuba, The Lopez and Walker expedition, it is remembered, both originated in the Southern States. The sympathies, therefore, of this gov- ernment are really with the United States, with whom it is anxious to establish friendly relations as a protection against futare incursions into Mexican territory from the lave States. It is certainly believed here that the United States will ere long intimate its disposition to recognize the empire. The brief allusion to Mexican affairs in the late Presi- Gent's message at the opening of Congress was taken as an indication that the American government was only awaiting the complete extinguishment of the ,Juarez party as an armed power in the field to commit itself positively in the matter. It was also believed here that the President and Mr. Seward were personally favorable to recognition, but wero reatrained by the several votes of Congress on the sub- Ject. The passage in the House of Henry Winter Davis’ resolution disapproving Seward’s implied apology to France for the Mexican resolution of the previous ses- ston, has been much commented on by the press of this eity; but no one believes it will pass the Senate, regard- ing it rather as a hit at the Secretary of State, while the bare majority by which it passed is considered on the whole as favorable to eventual recognition. One of the New York papers lately received here stated hat the Papal blessing having been accorded to Maximi- lian and his enterprise, no better proof was wanting that the Catholic church, particularly in the United States, hoped by the establishment of the Mexican empire to cripple the American government. The news of the de- erees guaranteoing religious toleration in Mexico, in which Maximilian had entirely disregarded the evident wishes of the Pope by taking the grave responsibility upon himself, must have tended to somewhat modify the ‘opinion of your contemporary But the ompire, it would seem to a disinterested spec- tator, must be accepted as a government de fact»; and it has always been the policy of the United States, as well as of England, to acknowledge such governments. Whether Maximilian was called by a smaller or larger umber of persona, he is ceriainly here, and, ostensibly at Toast, at the call of the Mexican people, The United States in the last forty years have recognized a dozen or more Mexican Prosidents whose leap into the saddle was ‘More sudden and commenced with a much smaller show Of actual suifrages than that of Maximilian No one among the many who have attempted to hold the reigns over this turbulent and volcanic population, bas yet exhibited such energy, wisdom and practical sense as Maximilian. The natives themselves are almost unani- mous in this opinion, and bis force of character is such that it has become a general romark that strangers, after an interview with him, no matter what their pr judices may have been before, invariably comme away “Maximilian mon." His government, in every practical point of view, 4a thus fara success, and, however we may regard it ‘theorotically, it must be taken as an established fact THE CONDITION OF GUATEMALA, Guatemala, adjoming Mexico to the southward, ts at | ‘this moment under the fron band as completely and em- | phatically as Russia or any autocratical government in | the world. The Indian President Carora, who, by virtue of his own force of character and absolute personal contro! over the aboriginal hordes of Northeru Guatemala, occu ‘ples the chair for life, is actually and virtually di tator | of that nation. A change of title to that of emperor ‘would invest him with no more absolute powers than Abowe ho now exercises, and which he reached through | . NEW YORK 4IRRALD, SATURDA , JUNE she most brutal excesses and unheard of crucities end | Seldom © euite on the ,:Dloodshed. Maximilian rules over Mexico by the delibe- call of the wealthiest of love distal crac of would stand the paoe canal She moderation etn inhabitants, Sn wl vavttien 1 ger aoe rt "one may ove conta keep his eyes Speaking of Guatemala, a curious circular has recently ; been issued by Carera, evidently intended for Spanish | ling in the some American reading, though one may have been sont to those of the the State Dopartmont at Washington. Sammon ene ee ae Dsrarntwent op Forman a gd of men than.the Zouaves, sev- rae ong Oct, ie, — thousand o ity ined. ‘Sin—Ser ve in Central yy are seen at all hours walking the streets in grou are pa with the arp od with that loose, opringy gait, sanction fa this calumnious accusations the government of Gua- | branch of the service. ‘neem to have been selected temala, attributing to it unpatriotic desire of annex- | with a view to strength and Mtheness of form and by Ae republic to Mexico. action power of endurance. Whole regiments of ‘antecedents and principles of the President of | these have seen service in whence thoy have Gorignae secure bin, from, hoon malereiont lnaienaiient —— crags vey faces great muscular do- 1e eyes overnments and peop! vel ‘govern: ke Busathn,*ts well ‘os of other nations who understand thoee red uniformed, oe roc nadhwen men and measures in this country. enengtethie pane, iy fas jpathies: troubles and revolutions within the bordersof Guatemala, the elevated and impartial on of those composing your r the President of the republic is convinced, that if eee has heard of these rumors, nourished in the lowest passions, and which ‘nO other object than to arouse anti administration will render justice Guatemala by refusing cious as they are ill-founded. to the government The President, however, in viow of the duties imposed upon him by his position as chief of the republic, con- ceives himself required to make a frank and anor jon His Excellency has, therefore, directed me to assure your declaration of his principles relative to the preserv: of the independence and nationality of Guatemala. government that whatever events may happen in and whatever institutions that nation ‘be establish, Guatemala must and will pendence as a sovereign State It is a principle with this ever policy other nations conceive it ne believes recognized and respected as regards Guatemala Prinelple, which is established and sanctioned right, will mala in its internatio ped ges i any neighboring nation, principles of the government of Guatemala’ be received asthe veritable and only ex: of this communication. T avail myself of this occasion, etc. P. DE AYCINENA. RUMORED ABSORPTION OF GUATEMALA, The rumor that Maximilian was about to absorb Guate- mala appeared in one of the New York papers several months since, in one of the remarkable series of letters which were evidently concocted out of whole cloth in Havana from scraps of news picked up by ‘our Mexican correspondent” among passengers landing from Vera Crus. Onde in a while samples of that correspondence reached Mexico, whore the few American residents peruse the blunders and haphazard misstatements with intense relish, . There were, however, some slight foundations for these reports. On the arrival of Maximilian it was known to correctly informed persons in Mexico that Carera was ready to form an alliance with the new empire as a step- ping stone to the realization of his (Carera’s) life-long plan of absorbing into his Guatemalan dominions the other Central American States, viz:—Hondu San Sal- vador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. This was talked o' tn political cireles asa possible consequence of the €s- tablishment of the Mexican empire; but Maximilian gave’ us no encouragement to the idea, and it has long since ceased to be thought of. Carera is Rhone 4 ill at ease respecting the political changes among his northerly neighbors, and the careful wording of the above circular 1s. a good specimen of his diplomacy, which will enable him to consistently take any course hereafter relative to Mexico that circumstances may dictate. THE THEATRE AND OPERA IN MFXIOO. ‘The new order of affairs had not decreased the public, taste for amusements. Of five theatres the principal ones were the Imperial and Iturbide—the latter named after the unfortunate monarch, whose fate, timely or the reverse, as the ideas of political’ theo: may incline them to think, was still a subject of dis- cussion. By the way,’ it is somewhat curious that in a community whose intestine wars for near half ‘century have been invariably based on conflicting plans of republican government, should have carefully pre- served the memory of the Emperor Iturbide, in his name to hotels, baths, theatres, shops’ and public works, while scarcely one of the multitude of mere Presi- dents is remembered. The Imperial is par the theatre of Mexico, and, as its name would indicate, enjoys exclusively the patronage of their Majesties. Here the Italian and French opera hold sway during some six weeks in winter. The imperial box faces the and is elegautly decorated with crimson velvet, gilded columns, coats of arms and other imposing insignia of royalty. Every mark of respect is shown when the royal couple appear in their box—the greater part of the audiencs rising, and in other ways testifying to their respect. It is only, however, on very particular occasions that the Emperor ‘and Empress visit the theatre. At the Imperial have appeared in the last twenty years poy! of the celebrities familiar to the American public, and it may be claimed that the Mexi- can patrons of the opera enjoy during the brief season as music ag is often heard in the New York Academy. lere was heard for the last Lag themed voice of poor Sontag, whose sudden death has yn popularly at- tributed to poison, though there is good reason to believe that the whole story was one of those malicious tabnca- tions so common in operatic life. The memory of the lamented artiste is yet preserved in Mexico, where her admirers claim that (like the dying swan), in her last ap- pearance in public, she excelled herself in purity and quality of voice and brilliancy of execution. DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS IN HE CAPITAL, Since the arrival of the French, Austrians and Bolgians, with the attendant multitude of adventurers—amor whom are some highly educated musicians—the musi taste of the city decidedly improved. Besides the bands of the various regiments, whoxe united inatru- pee eae React eee» week in geneva) @ musical society a formed, composed Germans, known as the “Legion Estranjera,”’ amoung to-aboul fifty instruments, who act as an orchestra on grand oc- casions at the “Imperial."" Among the lately arrived musicians was a son of the celebrated composer Prume. He is acredited ‘“vintinista de su Magestad,”’ and is almost as celebrated in Europe, as a performer, as his father has been as performer and composer. The well known La presage the elder Prume, was performedsthe other night by the son, # his farewell concert, at the Imperial, with exquisite taste and expression, with piano accom- paniment.. This and the Carnival of Venice are his two great cards which he holds in reserve for ial occa- sions. He is said to render the latter famor with a skill only second to that of Paganini hi . Prume will soon be in New York. Many of tho principal families were highly indignant at the sudden and decided change which has been mani- fested in the policy of the Emperor. The movement which brought imilian to Mexico was headed apary, old and rich families attached to the chu and of course opposed to the conflscations of property made under the late Juarez administration. ‘THY ORIGINATORS OF THR IMPERIAL MOVEMENT having been politically left out in tho cold, they entertain, generally, any but agreeable associations with the new or- der of aitairs. Not long since a benefit was given at the Imperial theatre fur some charitable institution, under the auspices or patronage of the Empress; and although one of the most popular Italian operas was represented and nearly the entire troupe which last season delighted the New Yorkers was announced, the theatre was dismally empty in the fashionable part, so much 80 that but for a contribution made afterwards by bor Majesty to the fund, the benefit would have proved Joss rather than an advantage. The royal couple re- tired before the performance was half over, and rumor says that Carlotta expressed herself highly {ndignant at the result. The French papers as usual explained away the affair, intimating that the lack of an audience was due to other causes, and that the benefit would be re- peated; but thus tho matter was suffered to rest. Tho fact is that the members of the church party, that is, those of recognized influence, deemed this a fitting occa- sion on which to exhibit their estimation of Maximilian’s change of policy; more especially as many had consid ered this benefit as a sort of test of the popular senti ment. If such was the case the ill natare of the church families was thrown away, for the lees exclusive parts of the house were well enough filled. The truth is that Maxt- milian, who professes with all sincerity to bave become @ Mexican in every respect and for life, cares more for the genuine popular opinion representing the middle classes than for that of tho aristocratic families whose bigotry, prejudices and ignorance have been a continual barrier to all ideas of progress. AT THR IMPERIAL AND ITURPIDR one might see the élite and fashion of Mexico, Here the heirs to the great fortunes of the country occasionally the magnificence of diamonds and silks at the Imperial are taken for the season in opera'time, the most d sirable and highest priced being those on each side of the imperial box. h has an elegant retiring or lounging saloon in the rear, where, between the acts, the family take ices (the ice being brough from the frozen summit of the great volcano of Yatacibuatl), and the ladies change their dresses, coming out from first to Inst in about aa many varieties of plum- ~ as the prima dmna herself. The Imperial is what larger than Niblo’s in New York, will seat three thousand persons, is built entirely of stone, tastefully ornamented with paintings, fresco, marble statues and bass relievo in bronze. The building is of great extent, admitting of a spacious en fibule and smoking hall for between acts, of very grand In carnival time rquet floor is elevated by machinery to a level with the stage, and then fashionable Mexico lets tiself loose for the time being and joins hands for @ general rout and masquerade, The « @anl on & grand opera night is quite g—something memorable in fact. Beside the Mex beauties of greater or leas celebrity— a beauty made up chietly of fine eyes and hair—there are at present in the city many beautiful women from Europe, some of them of nobie birth, wearing the names of marquisses and countcsses, &c., ke,, and present ng & brilliant contrast of light hair, blue eyes and fair com- piexion to the morenas of native extraction. Altogether the scene [8 a remarkable and Lenape | one, expecially if their Majesties honor the occasion with their presence’. Everybody then is expected to be in full dress, and a connoisseur in toilets armed with a li woukl find boy to oceupy his attention. Itisa gay mingling of rich dresses, incredible jewelry and gorgeous uniforms. ‘THE APPRARANCR OF THE CITY. Mexico, by the accounts of old residents, hag seldom, if ever, presented so sad an aspect as now. With the exception of feast days, there certainly is anything but » joyful atmosphere, ‘Now and then ayell of laughter is eard from a blanketed group at some street corner, but geuerally the appearance ia yuat of a couguered ity. yy urch: credence to suppositions as auda- di to Meare its inde- government to respect what- opportune and to adopt in virtue of their own ard and it that that same liberty of action which it recog- pizes and respects with other nations will be equally This a, Pg continue to ses the government of Guate- relations. It is this principle which inspires it with the confidence that neither ite nor its institutions have anything to fear from whatever mod! jons or changes in forms of government may take place around us. This spontaneous and oxplicit manifestation of the iM, I trust, jion of its policy respecting the important point which is the object is Standing at th of the grand plaza and calle de loa ing at the corner of the, pl le Plateroa, one of the chief fashionable promenades, you ma} see in half an hour abewnldering succession of niforma ing and repassing; now a of officers of the d'Afrique, in red and horses, groomed to thi and soldiers are under the most strict discipline, and severe punishment is awarded for any ineuit or rudeness to citizens. ora ART ‘THE PRESENOR MILITARY FOROE is continually seen and felt, but not to the injury of any individual, No city in the world is more ly rned than Mexico has been since the French occupa- ion, The machinery of city government on as be- fore, under the old municipal system, who have the on- tire management and direction of the city funds and account for thom to no higher power. All city taxes aro levied and tho proceeds disposed of by them for publio purposes without interference. Rows, “drunks” and fights are Lo apf in Mexico. After nine nie ie streets are ni jeserted, everybody being at home an: probably in bed by that time. The streets are tolerably well lighted olf lamps, which, howover, will soon ge. place to gas, under the recently formed contract. terns are placed on the pavement at the intersection of all the pal watchman, in uniform, divides the cam of the city during the night with the sentinels, who keep in constant communication until day- light. ‘EXTREMES OF WRALTH AND POVERTY. Like some European cities, Mexico presents the ox- tremes of wealth and poverty. Beggary is reduced to a system. Many incorrigible offenders are known to the Police as having for years imposed upon the sympathies of strangers by arugging their own children (or those hired from others for the porpeesy sea passing them off for diseased or dying. Attempts have been made to stap this, but ineffectually. Then the lame, the blind and the deformed, in every stage of disgusting Yoathsomencss, are continually thrust in your Bed , clamorous for' charity, which is asked in the most piteous tones and usually in the name of all the most sacred ages in and out of Heaven. The blind are often around by children, who stand at the doorways and scream by the hour, going through the calendar of holy individuals whom they invoke to bleas the giver of the smallest eoin, Deformed creatures, too horrible to contem- plate, are carried in chairs and placed one’s window until exorcised with a few pieces of copper Ca ga Miserable wretches craw! alt the pavement, (hands and fect) with square blocks of wood to prevent their toilsome progress from wearing aw: flesh. In the crowd it is not alwaya easy to avold stambling over thom. There are church beggars and secular beggars, and who have their ‘expenses paid and deliver their earnings to their employ- ers. Some havo their accustomed stand, scated or equat- ted in a corner along the sidewalk, and all day long main- tain s sort of whining cry, the most heart-rending imag- inadle; and now and then you come upon a poor fellow, with one or both legs shot away in some of the innu- morable battles of the oft recurring revolutions—veno- rablo and gray headed, silently exhibiting his stumps and holding out his withered hand with an eloquence ex- coeding that of his more noisy fellows. In tho dense throng threading the streots these helpless creatures form a feature memorable for their very hidoonsness. There are several hospitals and sib latterly they have been fuller than usual. Benefits for the relief of the poor occasionally take place at the theatres and bull fights, and both the Emperor and Empress have made frequent and large donations. This equator and defor- mity is generally the result of disease contracted by vice. WEALTHY SIDR OF THR PICTURE. ‘Turning to the other extreme of society, Mexico con- tains enormous wealth, which is lavished in all the means ot comfort and luxury known to civilized life. Houses, whose forbidding exterior of stone and plaster, with prison-like wind: little indicate the ele- gance within, are adorned with all that art and wealth can aupply, brought from Europe and the United States at fabulous oxpense. Costly carpets, curtains, ‘mirrors, chandeliers, pianos, statues, paintings, libraries, and all that to complete ‘® sumptuously furnished mansion ere red, oftener with reckless profusion than in conformity with good taste, and all suggesting to the calculating American @ valuable markot in our nearest pe feat if wo have the sense to keep on. terms mak r friendly relationship more intimate. The Private eq jpages in the streets aro a special means of ‘exhibiting wealth and taste. Most of the ee, barouches and the like vehicles, belonging to thy families are imported from Europe, though a few fare made in the United States. Many of them are elabo- rately ornamented with silver, as are also the harness. Mules soem to de in general demand for e animals, though a fine span of English or American horees now and dash along, the ribbons held liveried coach- men, while behind sits the footman in all the splondor of red, blue.and yellow. The principal drives are to the Paseo de Bucareli, the Paseo de la Viga, along the calle de los Plateros and the Alomeda, At the last named lace, which isa park of about twenty acres handsomely |d out with flow shrubs and large shade trees, the fashionable world of Mexico resort for morning drives and equestrian gxercise; and here may be seen some of the famous xican riding in all the graco and love of display ; for nowhere does the Mexican gentloman feel #0 proud as on his horse, with his splendid silyer mounted saddle and gaily ornamented scrape. On a fine morning ® multita of horsemen are ourv along the romantic roads of the Alemeda, now balf hidden among the foliage, passing out of sight behind the foun- tains, and wheeling into sight again, all in apparent con- fusion, but yet, owing to the perfect control of their ani never coming in contact. Among the crowd are geen the flashing uniforms of French and Austrian ofi- cers, trotting their heavy horses at a jogging pace, hold- ing on to the reins with both hands, their elbows squared, fect pointed out at right angles from the stirrups, and presenting in all respecta a ludicrous picture compared to the elegant horsemanship displayed around them. When one of these warriors (mostly effeminate looking gentlo- mon, with pale faces and spectacles), comesthumping by, the Mexicans quietly make room, and appear not to notice the contrast. Never an approach to ® smile is seen bo- neath the ample sombrrro, though doubtless the scene aifords them food for fun in some more fitting place, whore the rules of politeness would not be violated by @ hearty laugh. + DETORICAL ATTY CTIONS OF THR CITY. But, although life in Me .ico is somewhat monotonous, the city offers to the «ranger innumerable historical reminiscences. The loce ities commemorating the great Indian empirs of the Moniezumas, which, under Pres. Cott's word painting, have become classical ground, are visited _ renewed pleasure after reading those vivid descriptions. Here is shown the Salo de Alvarado, and in another locality the scono of the awful noche triste. A few leagues up the canal de la Vigais the In- dian town of Tilastalteca, which in the time of the Spanish conquest contained a vast population, and was the field of sanguinary battles, The Aztec calendar, a huge aboriginal work. carved upon | now forms a part of the wall of the cathedral, science is still puzzled to ascertain the mechanical power ‘used in transporting such an enormous mass from the distant mountain, where it was quarried, for the Spaniards found no beasts of burden among the original Mexicans. Several edifices of massive stone ivecture are standing and in good repair, built shortly after the con- quest, Under the waljs of the cathedral, and serving in ‘as a foundation, are reported to be great numbers of ideous stone idols, thrown there in promiscuous heaps as if typical of the rise of the Christian religion over the ruin of the Ind.an. The imperial palace, occupying an ontire square and facing the grand plaza, merits its title of “Halls of the Montezumas,”’ since a great portion of the materials used tn its construction were from the ruins of the veritable palace of Montezuma, on the site of which the present strocture is said to have been built. The very canals along which the Indian armies fought the @panish invader with such d ration, are still navi- 6 by countless chale pe: or Indian cam which aup- ply the city with its daily marketing, brought » distance twelve or fourteen leagues from the fertile environs of Mexio where may yct be seen, in the vicinity of Lake Chalco, a few of the curious chinampas or floating gar- dens of which the old chroniclers have loft such glowing accounts. THR OLD CITY OF MEXICO. But not a vestige of the great city remains as a me- mento of the race that has pass d away, Every Indian teocale, en and temple, has been centuries since razed vo thé ground and swept out of cxistence, or was used in building the Mexico of the Spaniards. A more complete annihilation of an entire people, with all their monuments, institutions and history, with.n a space of three centuries, can scarcely be imagined. For many years after the conq est the frantic zeal of the priesta consigned cverything relating to the Indian empire to destruction, #6 that not only all that could be easily seized apon ip the shape of manuscripts, paintings, sculp- ture, Ac, was berned and broken but all persons who bad preserv.d guch accursed property were obliged to surrender them, under very heavy penalties prescribed by religious fat mn. A tew any Telics nevertheless escaped, and have gradually been collccted in the National Mugeum. Spe. | chmens of the curious picture writing, evidently portions of the ancient Mexican history (but as yet onl} a deciphered), are carefully preserved, as also pp A enty col. lections Seton drums, calendars, idols, ornaments, sacrificial urns and Jars, household implements and Ftone | gods of menacing \aspect. In this museum, which is j | Open to the public onee a wook, ig also kopt (ho veritable | feyliliee ij ‘and passed character the; & common their decimal usually preferred to any other money in making large < iting of the Moxican dollar has n carried on of late to-an alarming extent. The imi- is but the base coin is easily detected by the sh who invariably ring the money on the counter before giving change. A stranger, howover, may be outrageously s1 in this money, and the sates genorally try it on with foreigners vory sucems- Crrr or Muxico, May 12, 1665. ‘but condemned by the whole press of Europe, the Aus- trian preas included, detested by his brother, the Empe- ror, and the proud aristocracy of Austria. It is true that Maximilian and his wife Charlotte wese on very bad ternis with the whole Hapsburg family, and an open breach or second exile was nearly inevitable, Still, nobody understood how Maximilian could have accepted the crown of Mexico. Toe those alone who have seen his private life and have heard his own words is the matter comprehensible. COMMENCEMENT OF THE EMPIRA, When Maximilian and Charlotte drove the first time in ‘an open carriage through the streets of Vera Cruz, on their way to take possession of the palace of the Monte- sumas, the Empress covered her face with her handker- chief to hide the treacherous tears which streamed from her eyes because there was no enthusiasm among the people and only the cheers of the French soldiers and foreignors of the city were heard. The Emperor, accompanied by Councillor vom Scherzenlechner, his tutor, and Mr, Eloins, the chief of his Cabinet, had no clear idea about the policy which should be followed; yet these two mon have governed Mexico until the present time, at least se far as Marshal Basaine a!lowed the Km- peror to have a government. Councillor Seherzenlechner understood very soon that the majormy ef the Mexican people were Liberal, and, in consequence, he adopted a conciliatory policy, because the intervention had been called for by the conservatives, while the puros were the friends of Juarez, Following this policy, he employed puros and conservadores, and proposed a Cabinet of Ministers of which half belonged to one and the other party. The submission of General Uraga, commander- in-chief of the republican army, the defeat ot General Arteaga, the capture of General Porfino Dias and other chiefs, aided the imperial cause very much. But of more influence were Uraga, Esoudero, Cortez y Esparza and other important persons, who decided on entering into the imperial service. Their moral influence was im- mense. The French Marshal, seeing how the new gov- ernment worked, became quite jealous, because Mr. von Scherzenlechner preferred to employ in situations of the court, the army or commerce, Germans, Englishmen and Americans. cus cuad UF THE FRENCH KEPBROR was, however, to have in Mexico a French department, . not in the éyes of the world, but @m fact. Mr. von Scher- zenlechner understood that only an open breach between tho imperial government and Marshal Bazaine could save the country from becoming the complete vassal of the French. He waited till the Austrian troops had arrived; then he sent a commissioner to the Austrian troops, another to General Mejia, Commander-in-Chief of the im- perial Mexican army, and othere to governors of the first departments, having the whole ministry also on his side, and awaited the result. But the Frenoh had also been working. Goneral Count Thun, commanding the Aus- trian legion, and Felix Eloins, chief of the imperial Cabi- ‘et, were won over by them, and made their obedience to the Emperor. The Emperor is a man of high spirit, but ho was not sharpsighted and strong enough for the situation. ‘THE EMPRESS AND ELOINS. Felix Eloins played his last trick. He conjured the Empress to do her utmost. The Empress, edu- cated in Belgium, ber mother an Orleans, has never loved the Saxon race. She explained to the Emperor that Napoleon and Leopold of Belgiumjwould be offended, Eloins having boen selected by both to guide the Em- peror; that the Emperor of Austria disliked Mr. Echer- zenlochnor for his liberal ideas. The Emperor Maxi- milian wrote a note on the same night at eleven o'clock, telling Mr. Scherzonlechner he could leave Mexico at any time ho liked todoso, Twenty-five years the old man had sacrificed to educate and accompany this prince; he had built the basis for his throne, and the words of Motternich, ‘Nous étormerons le monde par notre ingrati- tude,” had again been fulfilled by a Hapsburg. Tho private secretary of the Emperor and all his friends were gent away after him. Felix Etoins and the French party triumphed. If any foreigner wished to be employed he needed only be a Frenchman, and he was sure of his enterprise. All the great entorprises in Mexico— the steamor lines in the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, the railroad, the telegraph lines—bave been ceded to Americans or Englishmen under Mr. Schorzenlechner. Since he left the Emperor not one has been given away. ‘THR FRENCH POLICY. But more dangerous is the influence of the change in the policy of the country itself. The French will always be considered as enemies by the conquered puros, and hated by the conservadores, while not accomplishing the promises to restore the Church party, and to return the employments toheir party. On the contrary, the pos- sessions of the clergy are confiscated and the conserva. dores entirely out of employment. The puros accept the employment offered them only in the hope that France ‘will desert Maximilian sooner or lator, and then they will have the power entirely in their hands to create a revo- lution—a thing suiting eo very much the character of the Mexicans. THE RMPEROR'S WORST ENEMIES. The worst enemy the Emperor has t» the Mexican army. Their old chiefs, such as Generals Marquez and Miramon, have been used to conquer Juarez, because the battles were fought by the soldiers of the conservadores and decided by the French; and now, when they are no longer needed, they are sent to Europe, one to study ar- tillery in Berlin and the other to Jerusalem. ‘THE MIMBTERS OF MAXIMILIAN are now, with the exception of Ramirez and Lacunza, who belong to neither one nor the other party, all puros. Ramirez is perhaps the only one who belongs truly to the Emperor. He is 8 man without ambition, and one of the first antiquaries of Mexico. Lacunza is am- bitious without any principle. He will serve Maximilian to-day, Juarez to-morrow, and Miramon the next day. ‘The Minister of War, Juan do Pera, is a real naught. Gen. Parrori, being ® strong puro, is inspector general of ar tillery,’ infantry and cavalry; so Mr. Peza has nothing wherewith to occupy himself, ‘and he likes it very much, Mr. Excudero, Minister of Justice, a puro, bates all foreigners. He'is a dark, stern man. ff ever he has the op- portunity, he will bea terrible avenger of all the sufferi of his country. The same be said of Cortez y Fa es only he is the most gifted and clearsighted of all le numbers a great many friends among all cl of the people. ‘THR COUNCTL OF STATR has only two important persons, Generals Uraga and Vidaurri, formerly Governor of Nueva Loon. General Urnga is’ bot tempered, hates the French, the ¢ party, the Emperor and Juarez, and wante to be himself the first man in Mexico. He ia known as the best and most ekilful general in Mexico; but has lost mu of his spirit and agility since tie battle of Guadalajara, in 1860, where he lost one leg ‘THE HC URENOLD AND COURT of the Emperor are compored of all nations, he himself being a tal man, light ble eyes, fine hair, @ Little bald on the fo,eheud, and very large whiskers,’ He loves the fine arts, is a groat triend of poetry, dislikes 1 miforms or soldiers atall, hates all women in the world, his own included, and selects his domvstics always from among Ttaitans,' What he thinks about the viees of the Italian people the following story will show:--The Austrian soldiers im Puebla are mixed up with many Italians, a these soldiers abused somo men in the streets, Tho got very much atraid on account of this behavior, and the following day A great riot took place in Puebia, four soldiers were k\lled and several wounded, Of course the peuple were not armed and were soon overpowered by the well armed Austrian soldiers. The Governor of Puebla started im. mediately for Mexico. and was astoniahed to hear the Emperor eay it was very folish for the people in Pac. bia to make such a riot About nothing. The fact is that nelther the officers nor men who participated in this erie have been | unie hed. THR EXPRIOR ina tall, portly lady, but ber eatures cannot pe sald to ef iJ a5 Rat i os palace in & occasions fi ; tf £ i ? a | i Fl | i i i H 35 oF i: Qa : ; i E i f i E i | F if fi y if f g if Al and @ ride on horseback until seven or ery im company with a few aids-de-camp. woconthes time until half-past nine or ten she attends Cabinet affairs, over a people who know no ‘The most curious thing is, that M. much whenever a poor Mexican atand him. The chief of the military section is Monsieur de Loysel, a colonel on nih as staff of the French army. former chief of military section was an Austrian; but he his walking ticket to follow Scher- THE EMPEROR'S HOUSEHOLD AND STAPF OFFICERS, The aids-de-camp of the Emperor are four young Mexi- cans—Messrs, Ramirez, Ontiveros, eee and sida. These men have no education at They lounge young about with their hands in their pockets, even while the Emperor is giving them his orders; in fact, they are so awkward that an Austrian lieutenant has been ordered to “drill them two hours every week, The Grand Chamber- lain of the Emperor is Count Charlos de Bombelles,son of the Archduke Charles of Austria and the Countess de Bom- belles, who married, after the birth of this gentiemaa, Count Bombelles, by the Archduke’s order, #0 as to ‘her son a legitimate name. He is a short, thin, little fellow, with bandy | and such an enormous nose everybody can know him to be a true descendant of Ru- takes an idea to mix himeelf up in politics; but he has very woak brain. He is eaia to have once asked an American why the North would not allow.slavery in Ohio; and when it was ex- ined tohim that there was no question img io, but of the admission of slavery into the he said, “Oh! yes; you are right, meant to say the aS Saat marty i Se ees 1 ladies oF to her 10 excep- tion of Mrs. Arigunga, very ug! ail of them being over thirty or forty, and any one inted with the Mexican le knows what a Mexican lady of forty years is. Mr. Almonte is the Marshal of the court; but his influence in Ee has entirely disappeared. His wife, however, is ‘nown to be a first rate woman for all kinds of intrigues. Almonte is the son of a Catholic priest. When a child his father was fighting for the ind lence of Mexico, and cried to the mother of the child, when the Spaniards were gaining wu) him, ‘Al monte! al monle !'’ (to the mountains). lence his name. He is generally known in Mexico as the first walé de chambre to his Majesty. Ev week the Empress gives a te or a | The Mexican gentie- men and ladies behave themsolves in rere irae and easy manner, They dance wildly through the ball-room, and more than once the dresscs of the ladies ha’ early brushed the face of the Empross while seated in a raised chair looking on at tho dancing. The ladies dance gene- rally very gracefuily, especially the national dance (the javdhera) ; and they certainly have the smallest and tiest feet of any women in the world. REPAIRS OF THE PALACR The Emperor is fast rebuilding and changing the whole palace, About eight hundred workmen are constantly em- ployed. About the time that this reaches you a friend of the Emperor, educated with him, will have reached New York to mak or Juarez to make it will be proper to fix at- tention on this gentlemen, who has also a political mis- sion. His name is Viscount Olivier de Rességnicr. As he has started secretly will be diffoult to know where and when he arrives in New York. But the true Em- peror in Mexico to this day, Marshal Bazaine. He never cares for any laws of Juarez or Maximilian. If he dislikes anything he will punish it, without taking any consideration for the Emperor or his laws, He at the play-actor Maximilian. He isthe Commander-in-Chief of the 00-Mexican army. He rules Mexico, and gives directly has orders to the ministers of Maximilian. Ac- cording to the treaty of General Miramon, with the French intervention the French officer is always the su- perior in command. So I have seen that General Calde- Fon went to receive his ordorsfrom an Austrian licu- tenant and General Miramon from a French captain. ‘THE YRENCH ARMY at this timo than fifteen th is not jousand men, while two years ago forty-five thousand men fought in Mexico. Austrian troops, number six thousand, the Bel three thousand and the regular Mexican corps thirty-five thousand men. The foreign legion of the French army, numbering six thousand men, will re- main six years in Mexico, independent of France. For the last six months the Emperor has adopted a new sys- tem. is occupied by French troops, consistt! of Egyptians and two hundred artillerymen, under the command of Major Morrisson. Along the whole road, from Vora Cruz to Orizaba, at a distance of every half hour's ride, are detachments of four or six men to guard the road; and at overy fifteen miles are grand guards, consisting of larger bodies of soldiers. Orizaba is occu- pied by two thousand lem caggere who have in the same manner their detachments unt oo reach Puobla, tho headquarters of General Count Thun-Hohenstein, who has there ono thousand two hundred Austrians, one thou- sand Bol, and three thousand Mexicans. Count Thun was @ colonel im the Austrian army, but was always in debt, so the Emperor paid his debts and he accepted the offer of coming to Mexico. But as he is a fat little man, he does not like the heat at Puebla at all. He wished to maintain the hard Austrian rufes in regard to uniform, but he was the first to break them. THE CONTINUATION OF THR ROAD FROM PURBLA TO MEXIOO is guarded by Mexican cavalry and two hundred Hunga- rien hussars. The other main road, leading from Vera Cruz to Puebla is guarded to Ji by a few Frenchmen. The ‘guerillas cannot trouble this road, as there is no connection between that and Papautta, their headquar- ters in the north of Vera Cruz. gees jarrisol by four hundred Austrians and one thousand Mexicans, un- dor the command of Major Prince Ghika, General Galde- ron being the second incommand. Between Jalapa and Puebla is the strong Fortress Perote, built after the sys- tem of Vauban, by the Spaniards, and strongly fortified now by Mr. Bydesskutty, one of the Austrian engineer officers. The route from Perote to Puebla is guarded by two hundred and fifty Polish lancers, under the com- mand of Baron Tacco. The Austrian cavalry in Mexico is very beautiful, the husears being all Hungarians and the lancers Poles. They bi trained the Mexican horses with great European experience, andthe raids they aro fit to make are fabulous. The Austrian legion, numbering now six thousand men, will be increased to sixteen thousand men, if the Emperor of Austria allows recruiting in bis States, In Mexico are two thousand five hundred French, four hun- dred Austrians, six hundred Belgians and three thousand Mexicans, all under the direct orders of Marshal Bazaine. ‘The road leading to Guanajuato and Guadalajara is only guarded by national guards. In Guanajuato and Quere- taro there are small bodies of French troops. The road lending to Toluca is guarded by two thousand five hun- dred French troops, under the orders of Colonel Poitiegs, commanding at Morelia, supported by the nationa! guards and two thousand Mexicans. In the south of Toluca Riva Palacios, a colonel in Jvarez’s serviee, is still at large. Ho’ never attacks the French, but tries to capture ther convoys or to rob the mail coaches, be. cause towards the south it is nearly impossible to follow him into the mountains, where his men disappear on all sides. In the south of Morelia, in Uruapan, is Gonoral T, N, Arteaga, and in Puruandird, General Pueblita. Gene- ral Arteaga has fought against the French from the first day of thir arrival on Mexican soil, and will not cease as long a8 be lives. His troops number wbout three thou. sand men, In Guadalajara is one division of Mexicans, under the commang of General Tovar; but he has to re port to Major Matier, commanding a small French body there. A part of his division is in Colima and Manzanillo, and independent Froveh companics are marching im all directions through the south of Jalisco, TUR ROAD TO RCATHCAS AND HURANGO is guarded by Mexican cavalry and eight hundred French, under the command of Colonel A. de Chasnas. The com- munication between Guadalajara ynd San. Blas ad Topic 1s secured through the brigade of General Lozada, one of the greatest robber chicts in the world. A of Frenchmen, undor (he command of General 4’ He is marching from Saltillo in the direetion of Chit against the troops of Juarez, numbering tem the and commanded by that gallant yo enera}, Who has followed Juarez every step throug! his misery; who, if only supported by wis ecuntry mes, would long since have driven all foreigners (rom, Mexico. His name is Nogrote MAXINILIAN'S LETTER TO JUARSE Yt was ho who gave Juares the apewer be had to give to tho letter of Maximilian, calling On the heads of both the judyment of tuture bistory. This letter of Maxi miltian’s, inviting Juares to was afterwards Ollicinlly’ donied by BM: oo phe ‘ know men to ‘hom written 4, “ — u ‘TH OF MONTR’. cy between Matamoros Tampico, fire the h adquartors of General Cortinas, at whose onPers are Mendez and Carbajal. Cortinas was, by edvcytion and business, @ horse thief; he cannot sign his grime to-day. At Mate- moros, fo the mouth of the Rio’Bravo, is Geucarl Mejia, commander. In-chief of the Imperial Mexiean army; butas Cort! has pronounced bimy «if again for J 7, Mejia is in a bad position. In Tampico is Colonel Dupin, with #ix hyodred Frenchmon. Bie is treating the people with navy, Juares having not one Mazatian two thousand Frenah, under the comeusad of ler, Moxios 1s conquered because those parts which Juarez holds are, with the exception of the in Taumalipas, where istinae bes eee upsctt,) without populatl igration will save him they have to hi will endure immense ips, All cities the imperialists; all ports are closed by thé French navy. The want of ammunition and jone will enlarge the difficulties. The French and Austrian soldiers are aes. ones; they know coun. try, are well and equ: and Americans will never have the support of the people, ‘TIOM ht ea Dinectod many persons in’ Maryland, Virginia and” other pats of the United States, nate through the war, od ta emigrate. But it was detected that France stood behing him, asking for the possession 9 Fonacs Sl Bes erpaeet for the war were paid. All the movements of the Sonora; but an opem and so France stood will nover get any- troops directed against: rig cl) fora been Pec Fesul off, ani a we ra rong to Paris, * Grrr ov Muxioo, May 16, 1865. The departure of @ French transport from Vera Orus for Havana enables me to send you a batch of the corre- spondence which I have had ready for your columns the last two weeks, My letters by the Eider, of May 1, will have reached you a fortnight before the reception of this, In those I gave you the full particulars of the French campaign to the northward, some twelve hundred Zouaves having eatled in two transports from Vera Crus for Matamoros, with the view of dispossessing Cortinag and Negrete, who, in command of some five or six thou- sand liberals, have besieged—some say captured—the las® named place. Other accounts state that the Juarists are only menacing this important city. Nows in this city ig just as unreliable as that obtained from the ‘intel- ligent cont )? in the early stages of the rebeHion in North America. Juarez is till in Chihuahua, holding out with true Indian tenacity against the French, who, however, are rapidly gathering in about him with not less than five thousand men. Several additional re- giments marched towards the north two weeks since, and Marshal Bezaine is to.start next week to take charge im person of the operations there ashe did at Onjaca last winter, The Emperor has returned from his pleasure trip to Orizaba, Cordova and Jélapa, and has resumed the reins of government, which ‘he had resigned during hie absence to Carlotta. Beyond the usual amount of de- crees and small military operations in the department® in Central Mexico, nothing of vital importance hag 0o- curred since latest correspondence. DNNGRATION FROM THE NORTH. With the winding up of the groat robellion inthe United States everybody here is looking to the north- ward for the indications of that flood of immigration— hostile or otherwise none can yet predict—that is to pour down into these distant lands. Everything is in uncer. tainty here. What is to be the course of the great re- public towards Mexico? Is the ‘ Monroe doctrine” te be enforced? Is this European establishment to be over- turned by the impatient hordes of the North? Or will the really beneficent and progressive administration of Maximilian be allowed to achieve the vast benofits for Mexico which are now in progress or being placed om foot? I¢ is a pity that the redl exesiience and sound tn- telligence of this Maximilian governmeng could not be better understood in the United States; bus the insensate ery against {t, without the least knowledge of the admirable working of the system, overe rides all argument. Meantime Maximilian, the true an@ good friend of Americans individually, and of the United States as a nation, as he ever has been, goes on doing his best to make a nation and # people in this distracted Moxico, and if let alone will succeed. He will make, tf permitted, a valuable neighbor of Mexico for the United States, and will steadily refuse to alienate any portion of his territory to Gwin or any other schemer, even if em- couraged by Louis . But these subjects, aa well as the working of the imperial system, I propose te make the subjects of future letters. THN FUTURE OF MEKIOO. As Mexico (either imperial or republican, as the fates and diplomacy and cannon may decide,) must fill am tmportant place for some time to come in the: world’s events, it will be a matter of some interest for many of your readers to ascertain the facilities for gotting to and from this new field of enterprise. STEAM MPES OF COMMUNICATION, From New York there are weekly lines of steamers for Havana, now the shortest and only means of approach- ing the coast of Mexico. Arrived at Havana—the passage thither being eighty dollarsin paper money—you find two steamship Hnes for Vera Cruz—one English and one Spanish—both ba@ enough in all respects; but it is Hobson's choice, a& shut your eyes and take the first that offers. The English steamer, either the Trent (of Mason and Slidelf notoriety) or the Solent, leaves on tte 25th of cack month, and the Barcelona, the only remaining boat of the Spanish line, on the 8th. The Spanish line has beem unfortunate, one of the ships having been wrecked some- time since, while another was burned’ in the Gulf of Mexico. Inthe last ins! crew, with true Spanish ‘I fowered. the boats a . ocour, al the remaining Spanish boat, all consid |, may be the safest, on the principle that cannon balls seldom bit im the same place. It will be well, perhaps, to have a life preserver along, asin case of a gale the crew en” stop playing the guitar and take to praying. ‘THE ENGLISH STHAMERS already mentioned ought to be well known by this tit for they have borne aloft ‘‘the red flag of Otd Englan for more than twenty years; indeed it is said the old Trent will never see her thirtieth birthday again. A few months ago the passengers at St. Thomas against going to sea in one or the other of these-boata, ag she was almost in a sinking condition im the harbor, In this protest the British Consul, Mr. O’Something, joined, although he had just arrived as agent of the ‘steamship company. But the commission appointed te examine the ancient craft reported thet although she leaked badly when at anchor, she became dry the mo- ment she was in motion, with which comforting assure ance her passengers put to sea, mentally praying that n@ part of the machinery might break, ahd thus send heg to the bottom before she could renew her headway. fine steamship, the Eider, has recently been sent out, and has replaced the Solent. ‘TO VEKA CRUZ FROM HAVANA occupies about five days; the price of passage is $51 im gold. On landing, which can be easily accomplished im boats between the heavy “northers’’ which blow here almost constantly during the winter months, the pas senger who is wide awake will push at once for the despacho diligencia (stage offee) and secure himself @ seat in the first de ing stage from Cameron for Mexico, or, a8 the stage, which leaves only every other day, cam contain but nine persons, hemag have to wait several days in Vera Craz—a sojourn by no means pleasant inthe gcason of the somite. Prom Vera Cruz a railroad’ exe tends over the plains of the departmont of that name te Paso del Macho, a distance of some seventy mil where you arrive about two o'clock P. M., baving | Vera Cruz aa nine A.M. At Vere Cruz your baggage ia carefully weighed, and you are charged one cent per poune for railroad transportation. Arrivedat Pasa Tol Macho, your baggage is again weighed by the attachés of the diligenee, which you find ready for the journey inland. Ton cents por pound is chazged for all tessaee over twenay-five pounds foreach. passenger, The expenses thus far have been four doHarsand « quar ter for the raticoad and thirty-two dollars for the dill. gence ticket, This ticket conforms to the number of your seat in the vehicle. In buying tickets at Vera (ras an old traveller will try to secure 9 frows Feat, which im making rapid destents through tho moantain passes i@ the must desirable ! ‘THE START FOR THE JOWEINET, All being ready, and poses counted by the condncton, tho echo applies the lash to #ix Dorses, and away rate Ues the stage (made, of course, in Concord, N. A certainly there is nothing to cumplain of as speed. eo vinder way and the sual stage coach ay qnajntance i# made between biase who have to face cack other for three dave and nights of incessant jolting. The first thought is of bent of robbers on the moune tain roads, ‘The latest intelligence on this subjeos is discussed, and the old e’ries of guerilla atrocities re- hearsed, with the pleasiag belief, however, that since tho catablishment of tha empire the French have pr tty thoroughly cleared the road of ladrones, Asa protection to passenyers; the *4age company have adopted a vom. venient plan, On leaving Vera Cruz you deposit wil the s. periatendent there the amount of money de necessary for exX}enses en route, for which he gives you fa note, or rather waybill, payable at the stage office tm Moxico. . At every stopping place on the road, for sl ing or guting, on presouting (hia doguinent to the