The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 12, 1870

ANOTIIER DUELLING TRAGEDY IN

PARIS.

PARIS, MONDAY.

The late edition of the evening papers announce a
strange tragedy which has just taken place at the house of
Prince Pierre Bonaparte. This relative of the second
Caesar has shot at and killed M. Victor Noir, a journalist.

Prince Pierre is the fourth son of Lucien Bonaparte, the
brother of the first Napoleon. He was born in 1815, and
has gained some reputation as an energetic character, pass-
ing through many phases of life in America, Italy, and
Belgium, and finally settling in France, after the expul-
sion of Louis Philippe. The pen of Rochefort, which
never yet spared a Napoleon,-has at length reached Pierre.
An insulting article in the new journal of the Paris
deputy—the Marseillaise—drew forth a challenge
from the Prince. The letter in which this defiance was
conveyed is a smart specitnen in its way. It is quite
natural, says the Prince, that after insulting every other
member of the Bonaparte family, Rochefort should give
the remaining one a turn. " But I have this advantage
over most of those who bear my name. I am a private
individual, though a Bonaparte. I proceed to enquire,
then, if you are prepared to defend with your breast the
effusions of your pen ; though I confess that I have
little confidence in the result of my request. In fact, I
learn from the newspapers that your electors have given
you the imperative mandate to refuse all honourable
satisfaction, and to preserve your precious existence.
Nevertheless I venture to make the experiment, in the
hope that some feeble vestige of French sentiment will
induce you to make one exception in my favour from
those measures of prudence and precaution in which you
have taken refuge. If, peradventure, you consent to relax
the conditions which render your honourable person
doubly inviolable, you will find me neither in palace nor
chateau, but simply at 59, Rue d'Auteuil; and I promise
that if you present yourself, you will not be con-
fronted by a `Not at home.' "
What happened after Rochefort received this epistle is
somewhat uncertain. Anyhow, M. Victor Noir was killed.
Some say that he went to the Rue d'Auteuil as Rochefort's
second to arrange matters. Whilst with Prince Pierre,
M. Noir avowed himself the author of the article in the
21farseillaise, and offered to fight his Imperial Highness.
The latter refusing, the journalist proceeded to assault
the Prince, and was forthwith shot dead with a pistol.
Another version is that two duelling affairs have
been mixed up. The Prince had a quarrel with
Rochefort, and also with M. Paschal Grousset,
who wrote the article in the Marseillaise.
It was as the second of M. Grousset, and not of M. Roche-
fort, that M. Victor Noir met his fate. At least such is the
version given by the Temps, which publishes a telegram from
M. Grousset himself, announcing the fact of his second's
death. Of course, this news, which has just been received,
is the one topic of the day. If an " Imperial Highness"
is constrained to fight every newspaper writer who
insults him, verily, the reductio ad absurdum of duelling
is complete. (A telegram announces the arrest of Prince
Pierre Bonaparte, with the full approval of the Emperor).
However liberal his purely political intentions may be,
M. 011ivier does not give us much reason to hope that, so
far as ecclesiastical matters are concerned, he will
prove a very energetic reformer. The Count of
Boigne, deputy of Savoy, has written a letter to his
electors, in which he quotes some important statements
made by M. 011ivier respecting his views on the Roman
question. "M. 011ivier has declared—First, that he will
take the Convention of the 15th of September as the
basis of his policy; second, that the French troops
will remain at Rome so long as Italy has not
proved that she can and will execute that convention;
3rd, that the withdrawal of the troops will only take
place with the consent of the Chamber ; and,
4th, that no communications on this subject shall
be held with Italy during the Council." A good
deal of regret has been expressed on account
of these declarations, but after all, it is observed, they
will make little difference in the actual position of affairs,
for so long as the Emperor and Empress live we cannot
expect that the Roman people will be masters of their
own destiny.

Just at present there is quite enough for our statesmen
to do in the way of internal reforms. The Debate tells an
absurb story, which shews what a thorough reorganisation
is needed at the prefectures. A sub-prefect of
the third Circumscription of the Seine-et-Marne
sent a printed circular a few days since to the
mayors of his district, accompanied by an immense placard
which he begged them to stick up in their respective
communes. This placard informed the electors that all

he new Liberal measures which had excited such,enthu-

siasm throughout France were due to their deputy, M.
Josseau, and that it was from his house that M. 011ivicr
went forth when summoned by the Emperor to form a
Cabinet. The Debats, while ridiculing the absurdity of
the proceeding, justly remarks that in thus bestirringhim-
self in the cause of the official candidate, the sub-prefect
spews pretty plainly that he puts no practical faith in
the promised reforms.
M. Buffet's words to the heads of the great credit esta-
blishments on New Year's Day have been much commented
on. The new Finance MiLister said that he should be
glad to see these great establishments keep themselves
more within the limits of their statutes so as to avoid as
much as possible financial catastrophes such as those of
the Credit Mobilier. M. Buffet further said that
in his opinion the Government should abandon

the surveillance which it has hitherto exercised
over the greater number of financial companies. This
superintendence has too often involved the responsibility
and the reputation of the Government. He was, for his
own part in favour of absolute liberty, and there-
fore the office of Governor of the Credit Foncier
and other posts of the kind nominated by the
Government would be shortly abolished. M. Buffet, it
seems, added that he should not maintain the relations
which M. Fould established between the chiefs of the
financial world of Paris and the Minister of Finance.

The order which has been made with respect to the
delivery of the foreign journals will most likely induce
the Government to examine these papers at the Foreign
Office instead of at the office of the Minister of the
Interior, for it is important that they should bo well
acquainted, and as speedily as possible, with the opinion
which prevails abroad.

Troppmann has written to two photographers, one of
whom is Pierre Petit. He said to the latter that he
wished to serve his family, and therefore proposed to
sell the right to his photograph. Ho mentioned,
beforehand, however, that he could not make terms
at all if the sum named was under £BO. M. Bozerain
has made his statement at the Criminal Chamber of the
Court of Cassation in the Troppmann affair. Ho has
mentioned the various modes by which the appeal can
be carried out. It is still thought that the case will be
considered this week. Troppmann has written again
to-day to M. Lachaud, to beg him to come to La
Roquette.

M. Emile de Girardin states in the LiberM that the plan
by which Mr. John Bright proposes to remedy the
grievances of the land question in Ireland is essentially
the same as the one which he himself mentioned in the
Presse in 1852. He refers to it to shew that his least
practical suggestions aro always carried out in the long
run.

[ICY TELEOI AP11.3

The later details show that both the above accounts
of the Imperial homicide are partially correct and
partially erroneous. M. Grousset wrote the article
in the 21farseillaise, for which Prince Pierre
sent the challenge to M. Rochefort. Taking the challenge
upon himself, M. Grousset sent two seconds, M. Victor
Noir and 31. Ulric Fonvielle, to wait on the Prince.
When they were ushered into the drawing-room the
Prince asked them whether they were the journalists
sent by M. Rochefort. At this moment 31. Victor
Noir struck the Prince violently in the face, and M.
Fonvielle, doubtless expecting a blow, drew a revolver
from his paletot. On seeing so violent an assault, the
Prince snatched a pistol from a panoply decorating the
saloon, and fired at M. Noir, whom he wounded. M. Noir,
after reaching the bottom of the stairs, dropped down
dead.

Different versions of the tragic event at Auteuil,
appear in the papers of this morning.
The one written by Prince Pierre Bonaparte is
in conformity with the account of the affair which
appears in the Constitutionnel, excepting that the
Prince says he took the revolver out of his pocket.
The version given by the Marseillaise is that M.
Fonvielle and M. Noir called yesterday at one
o'clock on Prince Bonaparte, as the seconds of M.
Paschal Grousset, to demand an explanation in
reference to certain articles which had appeared is
the morning papers. The Prince asked whether
they came from M. Rochefort, and the
seconds replied that they called about another
matter. Prince Bonaparte inquired whether
the gentlemen acting as seconds undertook the re-
srensibility of M. Rochefort's acts, in reply to
which they said, "We are responsible for our
friends." Thereupon Prince Pierre Bonaparte came
forward, and, without any provocation, gave M•
Noir a blow in the face with his left hand, and
at the same time drawing from his pocket a ten-
chambered revolver, discharged it at that gen-
tleman within arms length off where be was
standing. M. Noir immediately fell, and the
Prince then made a dash at M. Fonvielle and fired
at him. M. Fonvielle took from his pocket a pistol
to defend himself, and the Prince, seeing M. Fon-
vielle armed, retired a few paces and placed him-
self before the door, aiming ikt M. FonvjeUe.

FOREIGN NOTES.
TIIE DISARMAMENT QUESTION.

Accounts from Dresden state that the disarmament
question has been the subject of recent negotiations be-
tween the several Governments which constitute the
Northern Confederation. These were all favourable
to the measure, and they met with no opposi-
tion, save from Prussia. This fact is looked upon as im-
portant, because, whenever this question has been dis-
cussed by friendly powers, the authorities at Berlin have
always made out that the Prussian Government itself was
not unfavourable to the proposition, but that it met with
opposition from its confederate States.

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)
NEW YORK, Dec. 24.

The Richardson-M'Farland case will give some
employment to the courts, as the friends of Richard-
son are bringing a suit in the Surrogate's Court on
the disposal of his property, the legality of the
deathbed marriage being contested, as it is affirmed
that Richardson was at the time of the marriage so
strongly under the influence of opiates that he did
not know what he was about. His brother was
denied letters of administration by the Surrogate,
on the ground that the administration to the estate
belonged to the widow or children of the deceased.
He urged that they are in Massachusetts, and that
the bulk of the property is in New Jersey. In the
Court of Sessions, on the 21st December, MbFar-
land was formally arraigned for the murder. He
looked pale and careworn, and the court was
crowded with eager spectators anxious to catch a
glimpse of him. While the indictment was being
read he remained impassive, and pleaded, through
his counsel, not guilty. His dress was a plain suit
of black, but not many who thronged the court
could gain a view of him. Ole Bull arrived in the
I?itssia on Thursday. He performed at the request
of the passengers, the proceeds being added to the
fund to erect a beacon on the Norwegi :n coast as a
monument in commemoration of the 1000th anni-
versary of Norwegian independence, to be cele-
brated in 1872. The concerts he is about to give
on this continent are intended, in a measure, to
further this object. There was an Opera Ball last
night at the French Theatre, which is not spoken of
as a correct and moral affair; but, of course, your
correspondent was not there to see, thotigh James
Fisk, jun., was. The fun grew fast and furious; fast
in intoxication, furious in love and war, till the scene
closed in darkness by the gas being turned off to-
wards 3 a.m., for there was no other way of getting
rid of the debauchees, who were dropping love arid
going in fiercely for war. But these are Christmas
tames,though why should unbridled license be allowed
during a sacred period? Talking of Fisk, Mr. Ram-
say has been examined on the subject of his com-
plaint against the Erie directors. He alleges that,
in conjunction with some foreign stockholders, the
action was intended to be brought, that grave in-
jury had accrued not only to the Erie, but to all
railway property of every State through the course
of the Erie Directors, that it was incumbent ou
some one to pull these men up, and these were his
motives. From a cursory glance at what Mr.
Ramsay said, I conjecture that he is in communi-
cation with London stockholders, and that more
vigorous action will hereafter be taken to oust that
pernicious gang. Judge Cordozo last Monday
gave his decision against Senator Mattoon in the
suit brought against him by a Wall-street stock-
broker for half of the loss in an Erie speculation en-
tered into conjointly with him. This decision has ex-
cited some comment, but the effect may be to re-
strain legislators from attempting to make any ca-
pital in Wall-street out of the knowledge they
acquire as members. Real's case has again been
brought up on a motion to re-argue it, but this was
refused, though eventually it was decided that the
prisoner was to be brought into court to say why
the sentence for the murder of the policeman,
Smedick, of which he has been convicted, should not
be passed. Real's friends, a numerous and in-
fluential party of roughs, declare that he shall not
be executed, and even the judges are threatened,
but citizens are becoming aroused to the necessity
of insisting that brutal and deliberate murder
shall not go unpunished after a fair trial arid con-
viction. Florence Scannell, who was shot and
dangerously injured a short time ago, has been
elected alderman of the Eighteenth District, after
a close contest with John Nesbit. Judge M'Cutin
went to Bellevue Hospital yesterday to administer
the oath, and found the newly made Alderman reco-
vering. The Spanish gunboats left their moorings at
the foot of Thirteenth street, at 10 a.m. on Sunday,
and steamed down the bay, some to Bedloe's Island
and others to the Lower Bay. There was a howling
gale all last Saturday, but Sunday broke fine and
calm. In consequence the harbour was full of ves,els,
which had been detained. The strongest feeling
exists against the Spanish gunboats, and a se-
rious fight was on the point of breaking out
between a mob and one which when starting got
drifted close to the wharf, when stones were
thrown and lots of the new paint knocked off.
Members of the Junta are outspoken in their
indignation against our country as well as Spain,
and rumours were afloat that armed steamers
had been fitted out in Southern ports to inter-
cept and destroy the Motsquito fleet. Against
the argument that they were well armed and a
powerful squadron, two strong frigates accompany_
tug them, it was urged that many of the crews
sympathized with the insurgents. If, however,
the Junta can do anything well, it is in getting up
and giving currency to a false rumour. There are
people who say there has been no war in Cuba,
that the accounts have emanated from the fertile
brains of the Junta, and it really does appear
probable that there never has been an insur-
gent army in the field or a government ruling
any portion of the island. The new Post-office
does not progress as well as the early energy prog-
nosticated. Some of the excavations have been so
injured by recent storms that the foundations must
be relaid, but the funds are exhausted, and the
work in consequence hangs fire. Wednesday was
the anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims
of the Mayflower at Plymouth, Massachusetts, for
on the 22d December, 1620, that interesting event
occurred, and the day is kept by New Englanders
throughout the Union. At lielmonico's there was
a grand banquet, Attorney-General Hoar being the
orator of the evening, although there were many
other good speakers. Miss Ida M. Ogilvie, 273,
Fifth Avenue, was married last Tuesday to Mr.
James Ingersoll, of the 7th Regiment, at St. Paul's
Church. There was a brilliant reception at the
residence of the bride, the 7th mustering strong,
and among the distinguished guests were Governor
Hoffman, Mayor Hall, Wm. M. Tweed, Peter B.
Sweeny, Gen. Slimier and Staff. Secretary Bow:-
well passed through the city this day for Massa-
chusetts, and General Butler also left for Boston.
Speaker Blaine passed through to Maine yesterday.
The Gray swindle keeps up its interest, and young
Gray's antecedents having been inquired into, he
has turned out a pretty boy ! who took upon him-
self the dignity of paterfamilias at the age of 15; at
least so a girl, living in the family, has sworn. '•Dear
Birdie," who proves to be his mistress, has been ar-
rested ; she is about 25 ; a good musician and lin-
guist; dressed in black alpaca, black, fur sacque,
white fur turban, and blue veil. Ihe chief !me-
rest in ca Birdie" is the packet of securities said to
have been lodged in her hands; and her antecedents
also have been looked up, but I will refrain from
details in consideration of the hands into which
your paper goes. The marvel is that Gray could
have run his career of dissipation, and yet hat e so
thoroughly deceived the friends of his family. It
appears that one of them lent him $2,00 to make
his way into the Stock Exchange, but Gray squan-
dered the money on his " Birdies" and wine, and
though the gentleman discovered this, and informed
the Rev. Dr. Gray, he only brought on his own
head the incredulity and wrath of the father which
terminated their intercourse.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24

The death of Edwin M. Stanton, last niulit, took
Washington by surprise, although he has long been
very weak. The event was announced to thou Pre-
sident by Senator Williams, whom he met on Penn-
sylvania-avenue, and when known, official orders
were issued by him announcing the fact, and order-
ing the Executive and other buildings to be draped
in black, and business to be suspended on the day of
the funeral. The Secretary of War and the act-
ing Attorney-General in their announcements al-
luded to the fact that Stanton bad once been at the
head of these departments. A meeting is to be held
to-morrow of the U. S. Senators, as well as of the
City Councils, to make arrangements about the
funeral. The Justices of the Supreme Court have
already had a conference, Chief Justice Chase
being present, but it was eventually concluded
that the ceremonies should be conducted by the
Department of War. He is to be buried at Oak-
Hill Cemetery, Georgetown, next Monday ; and
the Cabinet, the Senate, and the Supreme Bench,
as well as two members of the Representatives, will
furnish the pall-bearers. Mr. Stanton never reco-
vered the arduous and responsible work of the war,
but though his health was bad, the weakness increas-
ing, no immediate danger was apprehended. He
had been at the seaside during the summer, and it
was not till the fall that he returned very feeble,
attending little to business, remaining nearly
always in doors, though sometimes moving out in
a closed carriage. About twelve days agp he drove
to the Executive Mansion, and a week after, on his
54th birthday, the President, accompanied by the
Vice-President, called and tendered the appoint-
ment, as a birthday gift, of Associate Justice, in suc-
cession to Judge Grier. It was then supposed that
Mr. Stanton was improving in health; his asthma
having abated, allowing him to rest better at night.
He was attended by Surgeon-General Barnes,
who two days ago marked an unfavourable
change, and closely watched his patient. Last night
the action of the heart became irregular, congestion
' followed ; soon he became insensible, and died
at 3 a.m. The members of his family, Mrs. Stan-
ton, Edwin L. Stanton, Ella, Lewis, and Bessie, his
children, were around his deathbed, but were not
aware he was dying till half an hour before the end,
which was peaceful and painless. Edwin, the
eldest, about 25, a practising lawyer, was his father's
priyate secretary in the War-office, and since, it is

now known that Mr. Stanton died poor, although
few exercised greater power or disposed of wealth
more vast. During Lincoln's time the late Secretary
waslittle less than a despot, by a movement of whose
finger men were locked up, and who swayed assem-
blies in which he had no seat. A man of his extra-
ordinary energy, courage, and determination mad.'
as bitter enemies as good friends, and, with the ex-
ception of General Butler, the late Thaddeus
Stevens, and such persons, no one has been more
fiercely assailed, or strenuously upheld. They were
the standard-bearers, the rallying point for the
friends of the Union cause, the aim for its enemies.
He was born at Steubenville, Ohio, his father being
a respected physician there. It is worthy of remark
that he, though the direct descendant on both sides
of Quakers, was a central figure in the bloodies
war on record. He was educated a Can
lege, studied law under Daniel L. Collier, and
commenced practice in Ohio. Gradually he rose
in his profession, and it was through it that he
became acquainted with Mr. Lincoln, with a jam..
he was associated in some cases. In December,
1860, President Buchanan asked him at a critical
moment to become Attorney-General, and it
was then in the very stronghold of the enemy thtt
he showed his zeal for the Union. In 1869
Lincoln tendered him the Secretaryship of War,
and it was in that post he made his none historical.
It may also be remarked as strange that Air Stan-
ton commenced and ended his official career, at war
with the Cabinet Ministers around him. No man
could have been less qualified to get on at such
times in Buchanan's Cabinet, and he was as little
qualified later in life to work with President John
son and his Cabinet. His death will call forth a
strong expression of esteem from the greater num-
ber of our citizens, for whether he was liked or not,
and he was unpopular in the army, still he was an
honest, industrious, highly-gifted public servant.
H. S. Benson, proprietor of the National Hotel,
Washington, died on IN ednesday night. lie was
formerly proprietor of the Ashland House, in Phila-
delphia, and of the Surf House, at Atlantic City.
Governor Bullock, of Georgia, gave a dinner party
on Wednesday to a number of Congressmen. He
has been actively working in the Republican interest
of his State. The Haytian Minister returned from
Philadelphia yesterday, having started the Triumph,
an ironclad, formerly the ram A tlanta, for Port-
au-Prince, and General Tate is negotiating for the
purchase of two monitors, whereby he hopes to
save his friend and chief, Salnave, from his danger-
ous position. Sixteen of the Spanish gunboats are
reported as having arrived inside the Capes and
anchored in Lynn, Haven Bay. AU. S. war ves-
sel is looking after those near the Battery still
fitting out to prevent such attacks as was re-
cently made on a gunboat. Commodore Rogers is
here consulting with General Porter and Mr.
Robeson before he sails in the Colorado to
take command of the Asiatic fleet. He is to meet
Admiral Rowan at Singapore. The New Eng
land's Society held its regular Forefather's Dinner
on the 22d at the Masonic Temple ; 300 being pre-
sent at the banquet, and many more young men
and women having a dance in anotner hall. Con-
gress has adjourned to the 10th Jan., and the
Supreme Court until the 20th, and a stamped', has
commenced, the rush home being as great as it
was toward, Washington at the beginning of the
month. Secretary Boutwell is to lecture in Boston,
Secretary Robeson proceeds to New Jersey. lite
President, although he does not leave Washington
during the recess, is not going to be bored with
receptions, and will only see officials on important
business. l'he Vice-President, whose wife and
mother are ill, will not hold the usual lever's dur-
ing the winter. The Senate Military Committee•
has, it is said, decided on a bill by which
some army officers who cannot be tried by court-
martial, will be dismissed. It is here reported that
General Banks, whose absence from his place in the
Representatives is noticed, has had several inter-
views with the Emperor Napoleon, who expressed
regret at the action of his Ministers on the postal
treaty, the telegraph cable, and other matters re-
lating to America. The agents of the cable are
becoming alarmed at the clear indications in Con-
gres-, that unless the American terms are complied
with the office at Dux bury will be closed. Governor
Ashley has replied from Montana to the charge that
he was in collusion with the Democrats. He never
denounced the, President's appointwencs nor spoke
against the negro; on the contrary, he recommended
the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment; a public
man ought to be judged by his official acts and his
record, negro and Republican, has no blot. Never-
theless when Gen. Potts can take his place he will
have to go, for people persist in bringing up his private
record notwithstanding his appeal to his official acts.
Mr. Mullett, architect, s rid before the House Postal
Committee that $402,000 had been remitted for
the New York Post-office of the $480,000 appro-
priated, leaving a balance of $78,000. Of the
$200,000 for the Boston office, $167,000 had been
disburstal, leaving $33,000 in the Treasury. It ap-
pears that it is proposed to change the site of the
New York office to Chatham-street, and to the
question, what would be the loss? Mr. Mullett
answered, all the labour and some of the material.
The committee is to go to New York and Boston to
take evidence. Governor Bullock left for Atlanta
yesterday after issuing a proclamation convening
the Legislature of Georgia on the 10th Jan., as
proclaimed elected by Gen. Meade. There were
28 coloured members expelled, but 12 or 15 are
missing, though most of them are known to have
been assassinated. Twenty-five are disqualified by
the Fourteenth Amendment, 10 have been re-
lieved by Act of Congress, but the remainder will
find a difficulty in the new oath, to the effect
that he never, after having held any public office,
aided the rebellion except through direct physical
force, and the U. S. Circuit Court for the District
of Georgia has exclusive jurisdiction of perjury and
of attempting to prevent the taking of the oath, or
inacting as member in either house after the oath.
It is illegal and revolutionary to exclude for race,
colour, or a former condition of servitude, and the
milit kry or the naval forces are to be employed by
the President to enforce the Act,ou the application
of the Governor.