by Diane Fontaine Maury-Corbin

“ Hoping to find for them sympathy in the heart of a generous-minded Sovereign, and an asylum in his Empire, here am I, an advocate of Southern immigration, and a humane system of African emancipation in the United States, as the quickest, most certain and best means of affording relief to their sufferings, of giving quiet to this country, stability to the throne, and peace to America.
Though many of the negroes have been set free, and, owing to the abrupt manner of doing it, have run riot, and are afflicted with both pestilence and famine, there are many of them still true to their masters. ”

“ I look forward to better days, and trust that time and experience — the great teachers of men under the guidance of our ever-merciful God — may save us from destruction, and restore to us the bright hopes and prospects of the past. The thought of abandoning the country, and all that must be left in it, is abhorrent to my feelings, and I prefer to struggle for its restoration, and share its fate, rather than to give up all as lost. I have a great admiration for Mexico: the salubrity of its climates, the fertility of its soil, and the magnificence of its scenery, possess for me great charms ”

“ The negro was set free in Mexico more than a generation ago. The Emperor, the laws, and the people are all opposed to slavery; and any one who could be so wicked as to desire to re-open the African slave-trade, might as well attempt to “plot” with the British Government, as with this, for that purpose. Nothing seems too absurd for the sensational press of New York.
Mexico is a country of perpetual harvests. On the way from Vera Cruz to the capital, I saw corn in all its stages, from the time of its scattering by the hand of the sower, till it was gathering in the arms of the reaper. ”

“ If the best people, who have made Virginia what she is, desert her at this critical moment, it would be like children leaving their mother in distress. There is no virtue without sacrifice, and, if the Virginians possess the virtue of patriotism, they ought to bring her now the sacrifice of pride. ”

“ If I can find here a home for my people, assist to build up a good and stable Government — of which there are reasonable grounds of hope — and surround myself by my family and friends, surely goodness and mercy will have guided me all my days, and my cup will run over. Now, compare this prospect with the plan that Rutson Maury, in his good heart and clear head, had charted out for me. He urged my stay in England, and that I must wait till I would be allowed to return to the United States. ”

“ You ought to go back to your dear State as soon as you can do so safely; and if you had followed my advice you would never have left England, but would have asked Madame Maury to join you there.
After a long journey and great inconveniences, perhaps suffering in your health and mind, you’ll come back without gaining anything but a sad experience.
Even if the Emperor Maximilian would listen to you and encourage you in your plans, I should say don’t do it, my friend. We have been able to raise money enough for the “testimonial” to buy you an estate in Virginia. ”

“ He is young and intelligent, and has not suffered during the war like Dick, and consequently he has not so great a hatred in his blood. You and Madame Maury, with your little darlings and Dick, can stay here till the time comes that you can go back in safety, enjoying no public, but a farmer’s life, in ease and comfort, giving the world the benefit of your genius. ”

“ Now, if I can only get lands surveyed in time — for there are plenty of them — here is your “New Virginia.” There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success, if we can only get instruments and surveyors to bring the land into market. The people of the South are restrained by political considerations from speaking of their intentions; but we have letters. Thousands are dying to come; and I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. ”

“ To remove our people to a portion of Mexico which would be favourable to them would be a work of much difficulty. Did they possess the means, and could the system of apprenticeship you suggest be established, the United States Government would, I think, certainly interfere; and, under the circumstances, there would be difficulty in persuading the free men to emigrate. Those citizens who can leave the country, and others who may be compelled to do so, will reap the fruits of your considerate labours; but I shall be very sorry if your presence will be lost to Virginia. ”

“ By sprinkling the Empire with settlers of this sort, they and their improved implements of husbandry and methods of culture would serve as so many new centers of agricultural life, energy, and improvement.
The present population of Mexico is said to be eight millions, more than seven of which belong to what with you is called the labouring classes. Yet with the richest of soils, the finest of climates, their perpetual harvests, and marvellous variety of productions, these seven million people contribute annually less than 7,000,000 pounds to the commerce of the world. ”

“ Thus, you see, my sweet wife, colonization is a fact, not a chimera. By the time those lands are paid for they will be worth, even if no more settlers come to the Empire, $20, $30, or even $100 the acre, for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig-trees 100 feet high and three feet in circumference, and the most luscious pine-apples at 1cents apiece? Now, if I can get Corbin here on one of these old Haciendas, he would, with his skilful husbandry, make it bud and blossom again. ”

“ To understand the position of affairs in Mexico it will be necessary to refer to the powerful influences which were being brought to bear upon her at this time by the United States. France had availed herself of the opportunity presented by the American civil war to try the experiment of substituting an Imperial for a Republican form of Government in the Aztec lands. Maximilian of Austria was placed in power and backed by French troops by Napoleon III, and was striving to restore Mexico to peace and prosperity under the shadow of the wings of the eagles of France. ”

“ The Mexican chinchona plantation was established near Córdoba , under the superintendence of Señor Nieto. It continued to flourish. [8] If Matthew Fontaine Maury did no other good by his short residence in Mexico than was involved in this valuable service, who can say that generations yet unborn will not bless his name — for malaria is a killer of many people — entire populations — or like many, will forget that name of the doer of great deeds but yet will harvest those benefits conferred upon the peoples of Mexico by Maury’s introduction of this inestimable febrifuge? ”

“ But agriculture is in a rude state. I saw them ploughing with a stick, and sawing with an axe, hoeing their corn with a shovel, and grinding it with a pebble. A few of our clever farmers, bringing with them their agricultural apprentices, would give new life and energy to the country. ”

“ It is melancholy to see the men here sadly hanging round the ruins of their places of business. Many of them have gone to work in their gardens to raise at least vegetables to eat. I can see from my window a lady — and a real lady, too — dropping corn in the garden, while her husband covers it, and another chopping wood. A few have a pig or a cow to which they look for further subsistence. The city is full to overflowing with Yankees and negroes. ”

“ Immigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something. But the best season for planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the new-comer may live in tents, put his seed in the ground, and have time to build and get his family comfortably housed before the rainy season sets in.
“The staples of agriculture are, in Mexico, as diverse as its climates: there is no lack of range and pasture for cattle, horses, and sheep ”

“ Now bargain with such as are willing to accompany you to Mexico as apprentices, bound to serve as agricultural and other labourers, until they can learn the language of the country, and make themselves acquainted with its customs and its laws, while they are being instructed in the cultivation of the staples that are new to them, and then emigrate with them to these fertile lands. At the expiration of this term of service — say seven years — the apprentice will have earned a home as one of the rewards of his labour, and will be able to take care of himself. ”

“ The Soules are fourteen in number; they live extravagantly. The cost of living, including servants, is twenty-eight cents a day. I want to get Dick a place with a salary of $2,500 if I can. This arrangement will enable me to contribute $3,000 towards your expenses in England, leaving $2,000 for helping the other children, supporting myself, and paying my way to “wife’s house.” How is it now, that all my friends, except Dick, will say I am crazy to come here?
The Decree has been injured in the translation. It is not as good for the State or the immigrants as I drew it. ”

“ Maury had compared the forest-covered slopes above the Tierra Caliente, with the eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia, which are the native habitat of the chinchona, expressing his conviction that the trees would flourish in Mexico, and his anxiety to introduce their cultivation. Mr. Markham fully concurred, and pointed out to Maury that Baron von Humboldt long ago remarked, with surprise, the presence of all the principal plants in the Mexican forests which are found in the chinchona region, and the absence of the chinchona itself. ”

“ MAXIMILIAN
Matthew Fontaine Maury, the Imperial Commissioner of Immigration, prepared the following memorandum, to be published with the Decree:
“The Government not only invites all well-disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant lands, but his Majesty the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. ”

“ Corbin is the rich man of the family — and a very clever fellow is Corbin — clever in every acceptation of the word. I have a very great admiration for his character. We have never seen his baby, but hear much of its beauty and of Nannie’s devotion. We are all broken up; but we will not want. The old State, by-and-by, will recuperate, and her sons with her. The transition from slave to free labour will be attended with many inconveniences at first; but we will soon accommodate ourselves to our new condition. The future of the negro is a most interesting problem. ”

“ General Lee is at his residence on Franklin Street, and is a great lion with the Yankees. They all want to see him. He advises obedience to the law, and that the young men shall not leave the country. It is with the greatest interest that we look from day to day to see the development of the laws of the Federal Government. We expect governor Pierpont next week, and the issuing of writs of election for members of the Legislature. We are all dead-poor; but food and raiment can be had, I believe, by those who are willing to work. ”

“ To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage by sea for their families and effects is offered.
“To those who have lost all their substance, is offered, not only a free passage by sea, but a travelling allowance of a “real” (spanish money) , the league thence to their new homes will be made for each member of these families, counting as members also their apprentices or labourers. ”

“ It is celebrated for its mines of gold; copper and lead also abound. Though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.
“Its climates are genial, and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry the yield is bountiful, being fifty, one hundred, and sometimes two hundred-fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to Mexico I saw the cereals in all stages of cultivation. ”

“ For the last week the armies of Grant and Sherman have been passing through the streets — countless hosts of the best-looking and best-equipped men I ever saw. How we stood up so long against such terrible odds is a marvel indeed. ”

“ Immigration agents shall be appointed, whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them, and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of the Imperial Commissioner of Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom all the communications relative to immigration shall be addressed. ”

“ Without any motive of hostility to them, without any thought whether they would like or dislike the move — for it is none of their business — I have come here to provide a home for such of the conquered people as like to emigrate. ”

“ Dick has determined to try his fortune here. He is a fellow of most resolute purpose and determined will, and if he undertakes it, he will succeed beyond a doubt. Sue is a capital wife, and she will work with him wherever and whenever he goes. ”