The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 3, 1862.

MEXICO.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)
MEXICO, APRIL 18.

The intelligence I sent you on the 12th has since
been confirmed in every particular. On the 9th the
representatives of the three Powers, then assembled
at Orizaba, addressed the following note to Doblado,
the Minister for Foreign Affairs :
" The Plenipotentiaries of her Majesty the Queen of
Great Britain, the Emperor of the French, and of her Ma-
jesty the Queen of Spain beg to inform your Excellency
that, not having been able to agree upon the interpretation
to be given, under existing circumstances, to the convention
of the 31st of October, they have resolved to adopt for the
future a separate and independent action. The Commander
of the Spanish forces will at once take the necessary steps
to re-embark his forces. The French army w.ll concentrate
in Pasoancho as soon as the Spanish troops have passed
that position, which will probably be on the 20th April, and

at once commence operations."
Thus it would seem that the convention of London
has been declared a dead letter by the Commis-
sioners. Have they power to do this? It has
long been evident that no unanimity of action be-
tween the Commissioners of the three Powers was to
be expected, for, while Sir C. Wyke and General
Prim were resolute in supporting the present
party, it was well known that M. de Saligni and
Admiral de la Graviere were fully convinced of the
impolicy of such a course. As long, however,
as the French Commissioners thought there was a
chance of the Juarez Government being brought to
reason, they seem to have deferred to the opinion
of their colleagues; they even went so far as to sign
the preliminaries, although it is known that they
did so reluctantly, and with the full persuasion that
Juarez, from his innate obstinacy, would never be
brought to consent to anything that savoured of in-
tervention. The publication of the law of the 25th
of January, declaring "an armed invasion of the
Republic by strangers without a declaration of war
on the part of the nation to whom they belonged"
to be an act of piracy punishable with death,
which was avowedly aimed at the allied forces then
recently disembarked at Vera Cruz, and which was
promulgated throughout the Republic within a
week after holding out the olive branch to three such
Powers as England, France, and Spain. But when,
after the signature of the preliminaries, deemed by
many the first step towards a pacific solution, we
find the same party exacting contribution upon con-
tribution, treating every representation made to
them upon the subject by Baron Wagner with
studied insolence and contempt, and finally shooting,
almost within sight of the French lines, General
Robles, a man universally respected, who had been
received under the special protection of France,
and whose only crime consisted in the endeavour,
during the existence of an armistice, to make his
way down to the lines of the allies, it certainly
became the general opinion here that fur.
ther forbearance was out of place. Of
course, a Government which never kept faith
with any one is loud in its complaints of the
French Commissioners, and the native press is
hurling denunciations of vengeance against the
French, who, now that they are deserted by the
English and Spaniards, are to be swallowed up in
a little. less than no time. If big words were
big guns, the Zouaves, Chasseurs d'Afrique, and
the rest of the French force might well have
cause to tretfible. Zaragoza, in a proclamation to
his soldiers, denounces the Emperor as an usurper,
whose downfall is to be brought about by the
Mexican braves under his command.. We, who for
years past have been accustomed to this vapouring
and boasting, know the value to be attached to such
language. The Spaniards are furious at the conduct
of Prim, whom they openly accuse of betraying the
interests of his country; and foreigners generally
are at a loss to understand how any two gentlemen
could have deluded themselves with the hope of
bringing about a satisfactory arrangement with a
party who have violated every engagement, for-
feited the confidence or the country, and who are
not in a position to offer guarantees for the future.
So long as there was Church property to be divided
Juarez and his party had shoals of edherents, but
that feat accomplished, their partisans have been
gradually falling off until they represent a small
and certainly not a vary respectable minority.
England, from all accounts, has never taken up the
Mexican question con more. She appears to have
entered into the convention of Oct. 31 a contre aeur.
If France is willing to undertake this matter single-
handed, why not let her do so? She would certainly
be entitled to our best thanks for such an act of
disinterestedness. Any settlement of the Mexican
question is better than no settlement at all, and the
mere fact of France and England being such close
allies is surely a sufficient guarantee that our in-
terests will not be sacrificed. We have ever found
our neighbours valiant foes, but we have never
found them faithless allies.
The yellow fever is making fearful ravages at
Vera Cruz; it has scarcely ever been known so bad.
Two of the heads of the French medical staff have
fallen victims. By the last accounts three of the
officers attached to the 150 Marines left in garrison
had been attacked, and one had died. Why leave
these 150 men to be sacrificed for no purpose? It
is absurd to suppose that they can influence the fate
of the. expedition. More men have been sacrificed
by a three months' residence in that pestiferous
regionend of theou l d have
Republic
t falleno the
i n
other.
than
waohosetri.le marchwhen from
one will
our home authorities learn wisdom ?

APRIL 23,

To obtain correct information in Mexico has ever
been a matter of great difficulty. At the present
moment, when all kinds of reports are circulated
for all kinds of objects by the parties in power, it is
almost an impossibility, and, although I have taken
every means to be rightly informed, yet, narrating
events occurring at a distance of 60 leagues, I may
fairly claim some little indulgence at the hands of
your readers. On the 16th the French Commis-
sioners issued a proclamation to the Mexican nation,
of which the following is a translation :
" Mexicans,—We are not here to take part in your dis-
sensions, but to settle them. We ask every respectable man
to join us in the consolidation of order and the regenera-
tion of your country. To show the sincere spirit of conci-
liation with which we are animated, we first addressed our-
selves to the Government, against which we had serious
causes of complaint. We begged of it to accept our aid in
establishing a state of things which would prevent these
distant expeditions, which interrupt commerce and disturb
the course of relations, which might be so advantageous to
Europe and your own country. The Mexican Government
replied to our moderation by measures which we could never
approve, and which the civilised world would have re-
proached us for sanctioning with our presence. Between
this Government and ourselves war has been declared. But
we do not confound the Mexican people with an oppressive
and violent minority. The Mexican people have a right to
our sympathies ; they have only to show themselves worthy
of them. We appeal to all those who have confidence ix
our intervention, to whatever party they may belong.
" No enlightened man will believe that a Government
elected by the suffrages of one of the most liberal nations of
Europe would ever think of restoring ancient abuses and
institutions not of this century.
" We desire equal justice to all, and that this justice
should not be imposed by our arms. The Mexican people
ought to be the chief instrument in its own regeneration.
Our only object is to inspire the honest and peaceable per-
Von of the inhabitants—that is to say, nine-tenths of the
Population,_ with courage to make known its wishes. 'lf the
theelican
round usxnenl
nation remains inert, if it does not understand
givecpportunity we offer it, if it does not by its own efforts
a , practical meaning to our support, it is then evident
that we have to do is to attend to those interests which
which are contemplated by the convention of London.
will !not retire.
Let who have been but too long divided rally
madmen their hands are the destinies of Mexico. The
On the 19th
French
flag has been lafingthetdito.:: Mexican soil ; that flag
onlyhail it as a friendly sag ;
men hail
had been evacuated
bt
hya tt thee
o
ish forces, was taken pos-
session
his troops. It is affirmed
a applied
staff left in charge of to by the medical
the prench hospital for a
guard to protect the sick, replied that' he had no
guard to give, that the Frela
mast tako their
Frenchblyav latter, ell:44°er, di
itarawdgiWrZe°hi aSZtSebpeoapa aa'

chance with the rest. A messenger was at once
despatched to General Lorencez, then at Cordova,
informing him of the circumstance. A body of
Zouaves was immediately marched in the direction
of Orizaba. On their way they were met by a
small detachment, forming a part of the advanced
guard of the Mexican army, and fired upon. The
Zouaves, who had received strict orders not to fire,
dispersed to the right and left. The Mexicans,
mistaking the dispersion for flight, raised a shout
of victory, which was checked, however, in a very
few minutes by the said Zouaves appearing in
their rear, coming at them with fixed bayonets. It
is s.operfluous to add that the Mexicans at once laid
down their arms, and were all made prisoners, without
so much as a shot being fired or a wound inflicted.
Zaragoza, informed of the fact, at once retreated to
Aculzingo, and the French took quiet possession of
Orizaba, where they were received with every de-
monstration of joy by the inhabitants, who at once
placed theinselves under French protection. Zara-
goza, in a despatch to his Government, taxes the
French General with a breach of faith in leaving a
guard to watch over his sick. We have the assur-
ance of Gen. Lorencez that such was not the case,
and this is confirmed by some English gentlemen
present in Orizaba at the time, who assert that the
Zonaves were not sent for until Zaragoza had re-
fused to guarantee the safety of the French sick,
The version I have given you I believe to be cor-
rect in every particular.

APRIL 28.

The Government have issued a decree compelling
every male between the ages of 16 and 60 to take
up arms, upon pain of being declared traitors, and the
instructions forwarded to the different Governors
authorise them to seize for the benefit of the State
all private property, should their exigencies require
it. These last may be productive of much mischief.
As for the decree, no one pays the least attention to
it, and if the Government intend to enforce it their
troops will be fully occupied in shooting the rest of
the population. The National Guard was mustered
yesterday; it consisted of less than a thousand men,
not 43 of whom were armed. Every possible means is
being tried to infuse some little enthusiasm into
the masses. The papers and corners of streets teem
with the most heart-stirring proclamations, calling
ugon the people to take up,arms in defence of their
homes and country; and a stranger, judging from
these effusions, would suppose the country to be in
a state of patriotic excitement not to be restrained.
How different from the plain unvarnished truth I
Scarcely a volunteer is to be found, and the only
is by a forced con-
smceriapnts of recruiting
ion.poorwrettchhe aresamrye
dragged from their
families and homes, and of course desert on the first
opportunity. Zaragoza's force has already virtually
ceased to exist. Enthusiasm there is none, except
for intervention, and that can only be expressed in
private—it is death even to broach the subject iu
public. The nation is wearied out, thoroughly ex-
hausted ; all it asks for is peace and quiet, and I
of Otaheite, or any
on
these verily believe it would bail with acclamation the
Emperor
w of
o woulda the
confer blessings upon it.
K
As for. the female part of the population, and they
h Chinin
are no bad exponents :of public opinion, there is
scarcely one who is not anxiously looking forward
to the advent of these so-called hated French. A
provisional Government established, and that Go-
vernment under the 'protection of a foreign force,
'
people will then be able to express their opinions
freely. To suppose that the present Congress is the
result of a free expression of opinion is absurd. It
is composed entirely of Democrats, when certainly
one-third of the population are Conservatives. Does
any one suppose that Mexico, Puebla, Guadalajara,
and other strongholds of the Conservative party,
would not have returned members of that way of
thinking had they dared?

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

THE FIRST SHILLING DAY.
Great interest and curiosity were felt yesterday
morning respecting the attendance on the first
shilling-day at the International Exhibition, and
many bets were decided by the returns from the va-
rious turn-tables. At about a quarter to 10 o'clock,
and previous to the opening of the doors, it seemed
as if the rush was going to be a great one, as the
various entrances were blocked by impatient crowds,
and a fierce struggle for admission took place ; this
however, lasted but a very few minutes. The first
party admitted consisted of 100 boys from the Duke
of York's School, and the second of 40 from St.
Luke's School, Chelsea, both parties having been
presented with tickets by Sir W. Dilke. Various
schools followed, franked by the liberality of indi-
viduals, until about half-past 11, when the various
omnibuses began to unload their freights, and the
general company to fill the building. At 1 o'clock
13,990 entries on payment were registered, and at
3 o'clock 18,689, against 18,400, the whole number
admitted on the first is. day at the Exhibition of
1851. It is to be supposed that the turn-tables gave
correct returns ; but we must say, having attended
the Exhibition every day since its opening, we were
very much struck with the seeming inadequacy of
those numbers, as compared with the appearance of
the building inside. At 2 o'clock every court and
gallery seemed to be thronged, and even rather re-
mote places were filled with promenaders. In the
eastern annexe, the entrance to which has been open
since Friday last notwithstanding astatement which
has appeared to the contrary, we observed young
people crowd, three or four deep, round Messrs.
Wotherspoon's tastefully arranged case of lozenges
and comfits, and if the regulations of the place per-
mitted sale, no doubt an immense trade would have
moremae
been done at this popular and tempting stand. The
same
retiredy b
locality,said of
where thewe
Processw were
r e stoppedC o u r t ,
bya still
the
numbers of persons who anxiously watched the la-
bours of Mr. Reynolds, the pipe-maker, the process of
preparing the British calumet being watched with
quite as much interest as if it had been the polishing
of the Koh-i-Noor. The galleries appeared to be
densely thronged, and every point at which anything
special was to be seen was completely blocked up.
The 5 o'clock returns gave 24,553, but even this did
not satisfy our surmise, as our strong impression,
fortified by the opinion of every policeman and
official in the building, was that there were then at
least 35,000 scattered over the various parts of the
interior. We hope we were mistaken, and that the
returns are to be relied on, but there certainly would
have been a possibility of persons getting in at
more than one place where turnstiles were not. Our
mentioning these circumstances will, we trust, lead
to increased vigilance respecting the admissions, and
to means being taken to shut up all irregular modes
of entrance, if any such should exist.
Mr. Spielmanu's Bureau de Change opened early,
and was of immense use, not only to those who
wanted foreign money changed and to pay for it,
but to others also who wanted change for sovereigns
and who were not required to pay anything for the
difficulty having
abceceonm m o d
intimatedation
to
Ti‘,hier
s'
pc hi
ea, nmgaen"n
that gentleman
obligingly brought down about £3,000 to the
building, chiefly in silver, and gave change freely to
every one who asked. At the most crowded period
of the day's attendance a ludicreus instance occurred
of the want of regulation or order in the arrange-
ment of the musical performances. The Messrs. Dis-
tin, probably thinking the first shilling day a favour-
able moment for exhibiting the qualities of their
newly invented " Bombards," had arranged a regu-
lar little concert, to be led by a pianoforte, and to
come off under the western dome. Scarcely how-
ever had the musicians commenced their intro-
ductory movement, when
bray, in opposition, to
when a great organ close
at hand set
m
t up
a
the inamense alarm of the large company which
had. assembled round the horn players. The chief
bombard replied with equal vigour, and the con-
test' was kept up between these two Titans of the
musical world, until at last all the company ran,

away, and the platform was left clear to the belli-
gerents. We cannot tell how long the strife lasted
but it was going on when we left at five o'clock, the
musicians seeming to be quite unconscious that
they had long before banished every one but them-
selves, _

Amongst the events to come off in connexion with
the Exhibition may be mentioned theconversaziones
arranged to take place on Tuesdays and Fridays,
at the Kensington Museum, irrespective of the fete
arranged at the same place for Friday next. It is
also rumoured that the scientific bodies of Paris
contemplate giving a fete of great splendour and
magnitude in that city, to which the royal com•
missioners and all the jurors are to be invited,
Performancfs on Foster and Andrews' organ are
arranged for Wednesday and Saturday next, in the
course of which Mr. Chipp will play " God pre-
serve the Emperor."
There was a good deal of scrambling and diffi-
culty at the close of the day in obtaining cabs and
omnibuses, although, perhaps, not so much as had
been expected. The fact was that a good deal of
extra strength had been put on, whilst the crowd
was less than tlfe anticipation. Thfs, hovieerer, must
not be taken as an unfavourable omen, as invariably
on first days, like•that of the first shilling day at
the Exhibition, everybody stays away in ordefthat
everybody else may have room, exactly what hap-
pens on the first night of the pantomime, or the
first dividend day at the Bank of England, when
the few knowing ones, regardless of the caution
printed on their papers, step in and get their
money without any trouble. The " people" have
not yet begun to come to the Exhibition, nor will
they, perhaps, commence their arrangements for
doing so until after the Derby, which now fills all
their heads. There area hundred thousand little
boys in London who would not miss the roadside
spectacle of the " coming home" for all the Exhibi-
tions in the world, and to these we must add the
50,000 grown-up folks who have bets great and small
on the event, and whose heads are much more full
of " The Marquis" than of the Koh-i-Noor. -When
the race is over and all the money has been lost
and won, then will the public interest be turned
upon the Exhibition, and the attendance will' be
seen to increase daily. As, by that time, all possi-
ble.means of approach should be made known and
properly organised, the great assistance which may
be obtained from 4' The silent highway" must not
be forgotten. The immense majority of the work-
ing classes of London reside either eastward of Lon-
don-bridge, in the City, or, on the Surrey side, in
Bermondsey, Southwark, or Lambeth. For all these
the penny boats will form a cheap, rapid, and plea-
sant mode of reaching the Exhibition. Let them
ship at' their respective piers, and land at the Cado-
gan-piers, Chelsea, and they will then have exactly
seven minutes' moderate walking to reach the build-

ing. The commissioners are, we believe, endea-
vouring to arrange for a system of express boats,
and if they succeed, 20,000 visitors might be carried
westwards daily between the first despatch and an
early hour in the afternoon. It will be necessary,
however, to place a policeman on each pier to ensure
the safety of the passengers, as at present the land-
ing and taking on board is performed in the most
reckless manner at all the landing places along the
river.

We have been requested to call attention to the
fact that numerous articles of jewellery, gold, &c.,
which have been foundand deposited with the police
still remain unclaimed by their owners.
The number of visitors yesterday was as follows
—Season tickets, 3,875 ; on payment, 22,115 ; total,
25,990. Amongst those present were the Princess
Mary, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Hon. E.
Gladstone.