EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN (MEXICO) - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 08/03/1865 - HFSID 42282

MAXIMILIAN
Historical document authorizing the establishment of gas manufacturing plants in three Mexican cities.
Manuscript DS: "Maximilian" as Emperor of Mexico, 4p, front and verso, 8½x10½. Palace of Mexico, 1865 August 3. Countersigned: "Manl Enzio y Berra" for the Minister of Public Works. In Spanish, fully translated. In part: "Being that gaslight is such an important improvement for the Cities, the greatest effort should be expended to obtain it. Since it cannot be done on a large scale, unless high costs are incurred, it is appropriate to offer some concessions to the entrepreneur. Having heard our Councils of Ministers and State, We Decree: Art: 1: Given the cession made by Mr. John Potts, an exclusive privilege is granted for twenty five years to Mr. William Lloyd, agent of the Company to establish in this Capital and in the Cities of Puebla, Cordova and Orizava, being free to extend this to Jalapa, gas manufacturing plants in suitable places at his discretion, as long as they are located in the suburban areas of each location, in agreement with local Authorities…." Eleven articles in all, the decree covers taxes, construction, timeliness, city use of the gaslight, complaints and fines imposed if the quality of gaslight is less than "what is commonly known as ten stearin candles". By the 1860s, gas lamps had revolutionized Europe and America, lighting factories, homes and streets and spurring the Industrial Revolution in most of the western world. Puebla and Orizava were favorite cities of Maximilian. The Emperor was promoting Cordova as an area of colonization to American Southerners who had been devastated by the recently ended Civil War. Former Southern officers and plantation owners simply replaced their Black slaves with Indian slaves and their crop from cotton to coffee and tobacco. When France conquered Mexico in 1863, French Emperor Napoléon III had placed Maximilian, an Austrian ally, on the throne to create an extension of the French Empire. His intention was to loot the Mexican coffers in payment to the conquering nation. Six months after this decree, invoking the Monroe Doctrine, the United States demanded that the French military be removed from Mexico. With war imminent against Prussia, Napoléon III withdrew his troops early in 1867. Maximilian found himself without friend or ally when Benito Juarez led a revolt against him. Maximilian surrendered on May 15, 1867, was imprisoned, court martialed and, on June 19, 1867, executed by firing squad. Lightly shaded at mid-vertical fold. 3 file holes and staple holes in blank margins, nicked at bottom margin at mid-vertical fold. Lightly creased. Overall, fine condition. Framed in the Gallery of History style: 46½x23½.