Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-05-02
THE SENTINEL.
The visit Of the French Minister to
Richmond.


Richmond.
The Fortress Monroe correspondent of the
New York Herald writes as follows, under
date of April oath;
The recent lengthy visit of the French Min
lister, NJ MERCER tc Norfolk, has occasioned
no little gossip and speculation among the
high-ranked military men here. At first as
/ suggested, that his mission was purely to
look after the immense stock of tobacco col
lected for and owned by the French Govern
ment, and which is now stored at Richmond
: The second proposition was advanced in
the editorial columns of the Herald, to the
effect that the French Government, through
their Minister, urge upon the Confederates to
lay down their arms, as the tide of victory
has set in against them. The third PROPOSE
ton is that the visit of NJ. Mercier to the Con-
federate capitol was for totally different
purpose than either of the other two Since
:he French steamer Gassendi, with the French
Minister, returned to this port from Norfolk,
it has leaked out that the mission Of NJ. Mer-
cier was for the purpose of opening prelimi-
nary negotiations with the Southern Confed-
eracy in regard to Mexican affairs. 1t is
alleged that the French Government proposes
to acknowledge the Southern Confederacy,
and guarantee TO II its interposition to bring
shout peacczpcaceably II she can, forcibly
if she UNSUPPORTED Davis Co. will agree
to non-interference with them perpetually in
any measures she may take for the subiuga-
ton Of Mexico, and making it dependency
of France. Certain territorial lines have
been named as the boundary line between the
two new governments, allowing the Southern
Confederacy a considerable slice more than
she now covers by her arms This PROPOSE
ton was received with considerable ec1at by
avie nd IL Y 4eo "a Of H.
Lemoine, published in the Richmond Dis
patch, in which he speaks Of negotiations
being opened, &c. This Dr.. Lemoine is
Frenchman by birth, and man Of undoubted
talents and influence. lie had an interview
with NJ. MERCER soon after the French diplo-
mats arrival at Richmond After that inter-
view he published the card to which ] have
alluded. 1t is said that Davis likes the pro-
position, as far as it goes, and is willing to
send the Monroe doctrine to the dogs; but it
is said he viii enter into no negotiations with
any government ualess they guarantee to him
the territory Of the new Confederacy COM
prised in all the slave States. Thus the mat
ter stands. Davis is to-consder the French
proposition, and rice rersa. 1t is said that
among the French propositions was one re-
curing the Southern Confederacy to furnish
q certain number Of troops to assist in con-
quering Mexico, the expense Of which TO be
borne by the French Government. There is
deal Of plausbility in this statement, and
the manner in which the visit was made, and
the secrecy attached to it, at least should
make US suspicious as to its nature. 1t is
characteristic of the Napoleonic policy TO cry
the empire is peace, when behind it is a full
determination for war. Let our Government
beware Napoleon is famous for his coup
detat.
The Washington correspondent Of the same
paper says;
Lord Lyons has not gone to Richmond but
IT is understood that a representative of the
British authorities has gone there and also
the Swedish and Danish Minister'S
These visits Of foreign dgnitaries TO the
Confederate capitol, in the last hours Of the
rebellion, are significant They are the sub
ject of much comment here. Some members
Of the Cabinet are blind enough to imagine
that these visits are simply charitable and
intended to demonstrate with the Confederate
leaders, and advise reconciliation and
reconstruction of the Union Wiser and more
farseeng men in the Cabinet recognise in
these mysterious vistations only speculation
IN cotton and tobacco 1t would not be sur
prising, when our armies reach Richmond and
New Orleans, to find that all the tobacco be-
longs TO France and all the cotton 10 England.
1t is absurd for the American Cabinet TO fat
ter itself that the representatives Of foreign
Powers are taking so much trouble with the
very laudable purpose of aiding the Govern
ment TO reconstruct the Union. They are
more probably attending to their own bust
ness and keeping an eye open to driving pro-
ftable bargains.
During the past week, for the first time for
several months, wei known secessionists here
had grand convivial gathering. 1t was a
celebration Of the visit Of the Freuch Minister
to Richmond.
II is well known here that the Confederate
Secretary Of Legation to France George Eus-
It's, Jr., has sent home despatch full Of en-
coumgement to the Confederate leaders He
expresses qualification at the kind and favor
able reception he has received in the French
capitol, and is by no means hopeless of match
ing up some sort of recognition oe the Con-
tederate States of America by the French
Government