[384] Maximilian, whom he had placed upon the reconstructed throne of Mexico, was brought to a just and ignominious death,—many thousands of the finest soldiers in France left their bones on the soil;—her generals reaped no laurels in the field;—her ministers gained no fame in the cabinet;—an enormous amount of treasure was uselessly expended; and Napoleon discovered, only too late, that in the insane expedition, he had found his Moscow, from which dated the beginning of the decline of his power, which was effectually extinguished a few years later at Sedan. On the 17th of December, 1861, the President, in a message, transmitted to the Senate a draft of a Convention with the Republic of Mexico, in pursuance of the plan suggested by Mr. Corwin. Mr. Seward earnestly recommended the proposition of the President, but the following resolution finally passed that body:
That, in reply to several messages of the President, with regard to a treaty with Mexico, the Senate express the opinion that it is not advisable to negotiate a treaty that will require the United States to assume any portion of the principal or interest of the debt of Mexico, or that will require the concurrence of the European powers.
