These troops got off before they could be stopped; and went to the Rio Grande, where Sheridan distributed them up and down the river, much to the consternation of the troops in the quarter of Mexico bordering on that stream.

This soon led to a request from France that we should withdraw our troops from the Rio Grande and to negotiations for the withdrawal of theirs.

Finally Bazaine was withdrawn from Mexico by order of the French Government.
From that day the empire began to totter.

Mexico was then able to maintain her independence without aid from us.
France is the traditional ally and friend of the United States.

I did not blame France for her part in the scheme to erect a monarchy upon the ruins of the Mexican Republic.