A delegation of Mexican conservatives had invited…

A delegation of Mexican conservatives had invited Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph von Habsburg of Austria to accept the Mexican crown, all according to the plans of French emperor Napoleon III.

Maximilian, brother to Emperor Franz Josef of Austria, had in 1859 been first approached by Mexican monarchists with a proposal to become the Emperor of Mexico.

He did not accept at first, but sought to satisfy his restless desire for adventure with a botanical expedition to the tropical forests of Brazil.

However, after the French intervention in Mexico, under pressure from Napoleon III and after General Élie-Frédéric Forey's capture of Mexico City and the plebiscite which confirmed his proclamation of the empire, the well intentioned Maximilian had consented to accept the crown, believing that this act responded to the desire of a majority of Mexicans.

Maximilian has not been told of the dubious nature of the plebiscite, which had been held while French troops were occupying most of the territory.

His decision involves the loss of all his noble rights in Austria, though he is not informed of this until just before he leaves.

His wife, Archduchess Charlotte, will hereafter be known as "Her Imperial Majesty Empress Carlota".

Before departing for Mexico, Maximilian signs an agreement with Napoleon III, under which Maximilian assumes the debts incurred for the upkeep of the French army in Mexico.

The crown of Mexico is offered to Maximilian, following pressures by Napoleon.

Maximilian accepts the crown on October 3, at the hands of the Comisión Mexicana, sent to Trieste by the Superior Junta.