The New York herald., 1862-05-20

board the frigate MOnszuma as reported in the
oday
Admiral do Ia Graviere enjoys only brilliant
cord OF his own but boast OF celebrated In
the naval annals OF France for conducting important
gota,ions with the Spanish American republics on behalf
OF his country In 1920, when no longer possible
70 doubt the whole Of America would be lost TO
Spain, il the father OF Rear Admiral Jurien de La
Graviere TO whom Duke Pasquer, then Minister OF Fo-
reign Affairs conhded the delicate mission of showing
the French flag those newly republics and Of pre-
pairing beforehand those relations which might be formed
with them whom Spanish domination should have dohni-
lively come to end NJ Jurien de La Graviere left
France with the Renommee and the Centaure II would
not be without interest," under existing circumstances to
follow the Souvenirs dun Amra " the recital Of that
campaign, which lasted nearly year The ohcer Of the
Restoration was then witness in Spanish America Of
the disorders and political faults which, forty years later
to load to that place with less pacific mission an
officer Of the empire heir of his merit well Of his
name 1t already every where dictators, withou
force, who disputed for the government Of republics
without liberty Already. Also among those alterations
Of anarchy military government might be remarked
either at Buenos Ayres Peru the last OF
the frst elements of that monarchcal party which the
three interfering Powers appear to reckon at Mexico
and Vera Cruz AT Boenos Ayres some time before the
arrival Of the Renommes and Cenaure, the republican
authorities had delberated raising throne and seat
ing the Duke OF Orleans on It, Buenos Ayres neyerthe
sss remained republic and it England that rather
required that result she did like that French
prince should reign La Plata.
In selecting Admiral de La Graviere for the command
OF this very important expedition the Emperor Napoleon
has displayed his usual prudence and diplomatic dscr
minaton The Admiral is an officer of great experience
besides being naturally given to much study and reec
ton on all matters novel circumstances conditions
connected with his profession. He the author OF
or three naval books Of repuo the latest OF which s
ticed in Paris letter dated the I'd Of August thus
admiral La Gravere, in one OF his works, asks what
will be the influence Of steam upon blockadesy With sail
ing vessels blockade often broken. Sometimes the
weather drove the blockadng squadron out to
thick fog and forced 1t keep well clear Of the
enemys ports Currents had to be guarded against
ment bring the vessel under the fire OF hostile battery
With steam these dangers greatly modified. II they
have not altogether disappeared Bockades will for the fu
urs be much more strictly observed and the fleet will be
able to lie Just out Of the range Of the exterior FORTS But
the vessels if they do require the delicate
handling constant anxiety regard 70 the weather.
not independent the old saing ships They
slaves to substance which they continually devour
ing and which must therefore, be continually renewed
No matter how csvsrly managed the hour arrive
when steam vessel will find herself out Of COAL For
steam vessels to keep blockade it will be necessary
either to have constant relays OF Ships depend
transports whose arrival could be depended
upon with anything like certainty"
Admiral La Graviers sailed in the expedition against
Mexico from the port Of Oran in Algeria the 18TH Of
November in the 1851 for Cuba in order to
the command Of the French squadron. He journeyed
first TO Paris and thence the Canary Islands and Mar
Unique coming to rendezvous, as arranged previously
in Havana. He reached Cuba about the 20h Of Decem
Der last and hosted his flag the Montszuma, in which
vessel he now returns 70 Paris having fulfilled his
OF the Mexcan mission - the ultimate future OF which
rests in the arms Of his gallant coanymen the soil Of
Mexico. directed by the sagacy and will Of his Imperial
master in Paris.