war.

French army, and lay down their arms, remaining prisoners of "These proposals," says General Forey, "were not accepted by General Ortega, who, in the night between the 16th and 17th, disbanded his army, destroyed the weapons, spiked his guns, blew up the powder magazines, and sent me an envoy to say that the garrison had completed its defence and surrendered at discretion.

"It was scarcely daylight when 12,000 men, most of them without arms or uniforms, which they had cast away in the streets, surrendered as prisoners, and the officers, numbering from 1000 to 1200, of whom 26 were generals and 200 superior officers, informed me that they awaited my orders at the Palace of the Government."

When the news of this success reached France, the Emperor addressed a letter to General Forey, in which he said :

"Tell the men how much I appreciate their perseverance and courage in so distant an expedition, where they had to struggle against climate, local difficulties, and against an enemy the more obstinate because he was deceived in my intentions. I deeply deplore the probable loss of so many brave men, but I have the consoling idea that their death has not been useless either to the interests or to the honour of France, or to civilization. Our object, as you are aware, is not to impose upon the Mexicans a Government contrary to their wish, or to make our success a triumph for any party whatsoever. I wish Mexico to be regenerated to a new life, and that soon, reformed by a Government based upon the national will, on principles of order and progress, it may admit that it owes to France its peace and its prosperity."

After the fall of Puebla resistance may be said to have ceased, and on the 10th of June the French army, under General Forey, made its triumphal entry into the city of Mexico. The throne of Montezuma was now at the disposal of the conqueror; and the question was who would be invited to occupy it. General Forey issued a proclamation, telling the Mexicans that the solution of the political question depended upon them; and after laying down the principles upon which the temporary Government would be administered, he said:-

"I invoke the support of all classes. I demand of all parties to lay down their arms, and to employ henceforth all their strength, not in destroying, but in constructing. I proclaim oblivion of the past, and a complete amnesty for all those who will rally in good faith round the Government which the nation, by its own free will, shall impose upon itself.

"But I declare enemies of their country all those who are deaf to my entreaties, and I will pursue them wherever they may take refuge."

Juarez and the members of his Government had previously evacuated the city, and retired to San Luis Potosi; nor was any attempt made to disturb the French occupation. An "Assembly of Notables" was constituted, 215 in number, who were taken

indiscriminately from all classes, and they were to determine what form of Government ought to be definitively established in Mexico; the vote on this question to unite at least two-thirds of the suffrages. On the 10th of July they resolved that Mexico should be an Empire, and that the throne should be offered to the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. In the event of his refusal to accept the Crown, the Emperor of the French was requested to select a candidate for the Imperial dignity. The Archduke was accordingly solemnly proclaimed Emperor of Mexico, and a deputation of Notables proceeded to Europe to offer him the throne. He received them at his residence near Trieste, and in answer to their address, said:

"The wishes of the Mexican Assembly of Notables have touched me deeply. It cannot but be exceedingly flattering for our House that they have turned their eyes to the descendants of Charles V. Although the mission of maintaining the independence and welfare of Mexico on a solid foundation, and with free institutions, is a most noble one, I must, nevertheless, in complete accordance with the views of the Emperor Napoleon, declare that the Monarchy cannot be re-established on a legitimate and firm basis without a spontaneous expression of the wishes of the whole nation. I must make my acceptance of the throne dependent upon a plébiscite of the whole country. On the other hand, it would be my duty to ask for guarantees, which are indispensable to secure Mexico against the dangers which threaten her integrity and independence. Should these guarantees be obtained, and the universal vote of the nation be given in my favour, I am ready to accept the Crown, subject to the approval of the Emperor, my brother. In case Providence should call me to this high mission, I must at once declare that it is my firm intention to open the path of progress by a Constitution, as was done by my brother, and after the complete pacification of the country, to seal the fundamental law with an oath. By such means only can a new and really national policy be called into existence by which all parties, forgetting old disputes, would co-operate with me in raising Mexico to a prominent rank among nations. Carry back with you these frank declarations to your fellow-citizens, and act in such a manner that it may become possible for the nation to declare what form of Government it desires to have."

Difficulties, however, arose in the way, and the year closed without any definitive acceptance of the Crown of Mexico by the Austrian Archduke.

JAPAN.

Colonel Neale, the British Chargé d'Affaires in Japan, was this year directed to obtain reparation for the murder of Mr. Richardson, and a murderous assault committed on an English lady and two gentlemen who were riding with Mr. Richardson on a public road near the English settlement in Japan, in the month of September of last year. He was instructed to demand from the Government of the Tycoon the payment of 100,000, and an ample apology; and from the Prince of Satsuma, within whose jurisdiction the murder and assault took place, the payment of 25,0007. as an indemnity. The sum of 100,000l. was paid, and a sufficient apology was made by the Minister of the Tycoon. But no satisfaction could be obtained from the Prince of Satsuma, and as ten months had elapsed since the murder was committed, Colonel Neale called upon Admiral Kuper to proceed with the English fleet to Kagosima, the capital of Prince Satsuma, and it entered the bay on the 11th of August. The city of Kagosima was strongly defended by forts and batteries, from which Prince Satsuma's flag was flying. On the ships anchoring off the town, on the 12th, a boat came from the shore with two officers, who had an interview with the English Minister, and they were told what our demands were, which were to be acceded to by two p.m. on the following day, the 13th. Further delay, however, took place, and as no satisfactory answer was received on the 14th, the Admiral proceeded to seize three screw-steamers, which had been recently sent from Europe, and belonged to Prince Satsuma. This was on the 15th, when suddenly all the batteries opened a fire of shot and shell on the squadron. The Admiral ordered the steamers to be burnt, and began to bombard the batteries and the town. The houses soon caught fire, and a terrible conflagration ensued, extending upwards of a mile. The Japanese fired with rapidity and precision, and we had to deplore the loss of two excellent officers, Captain Josling and Commander Wilmot, who were both killed on board the Admiral's ship "Euryalus" by the same shell. The Japanese batteries were soon silenced; a great part of the town was laid in ashes, and an enormous amount of property destroyed. Next day the fleet again weighed anchor, and proceeding under slow speed, commenced shelling the batteries as the ships passed them at long ranges. This brought the Japanese at last to their senses, and news reached this country at the end of the year that Prince Satsuma had consented to do his utmost to apprehend the murderers of Mr. Richardson, and inflict capital punishment upon them, in the presence of one or more British officers; and also to pay the indemnity demanded. We may hope, therefore,

that for the present, at all events, there will be no necessity for resuming hostile operations against this strange people, with whom we have only lately come into contact. The destruction of so great a part of the town of Kagosima, involving as it did thousands of unoffending inhabitants in misery, caused a very painful sensation in this country; but it seems to have been the accidental result of the fire of the fleet against the Japanese batteries, which was a simple act of self-defence against their attack. It is one of the deplorable results of war that its calamities often fall more upon the innocent than the guilty.

NEW ZEALAND.

Great Britain this year was engaged in one of her "little wars" with the Maori natives of New Zealand, arising out of that everlasting cause of quarrel, the question of the right of property in waste lands. But as the contest was not brought to a close this year, and our information at present is imperfect both as to the exact cause of the outbreak, and the war that followed, in which some of our troops were severely handled, we shall defer our narrative of events until our next volume.

CHAPTER VI.

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln-General Burnside retires to the north of the Rappahannock-Battle of Murfreesborough-Generals Banks and Butler at New Orleans-Message of President Davis to the Confederate Congress-Attempt of the French Government to put a stop to the War-Letter from President Lincoln to General McClellan-Financial Position of the Federal States-Bill for arming Negroes passed by Congress-Expiry of Federal Congress-General Hooker takes the command of the Army of the Potomac-Expeditions against Forts Hudson, Vicksburg, and Charleston-The Confederates claim that the Blockade is raised— Siege of Vicksburg-Day of Fasting appointed by the Confederate President--His Address to the Confederate States-Military Movements in Tennessee-Battle of Chancellorsville.

WE mentioned in our last volume the proclamation issued by President Lincoln on the 22nd of September, 1862, whereby he expressed his intention of declaring free, on the 1st of January in the present year, "all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof should be in rebellion against the United States," and at the beginning of this year he at once put the threat in execution. By a proclamation, dated Jan. 1, he designated the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, as States wherein, except in certain specified portions of some of them, "the people thereof respectively are this day in rebellion against the United States," and declared as follows: :

"All persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, FREE, and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

"And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence, and I recommend to them that in all cases, when allowed, they labour faithfully for reasonable wages.

"And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable condition will be received into the armed service of the United States, to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

"And upon this-sincerely believed to be an act of justice,