The Placer herald., 1866-06-30
What Doctor Gwin Thinks Of his Arrest
and Imprisonment. ha

"S '"0 Ie'edoo VI Ex-senator Twin from
Fort Jackson makes the following comment:
on his case, which are evidently from the
dlctation OF the "Duke of Sonora" The
Picayune says: ...-...
Every effort Of the Doctor failed to dis
cover or elicit the faintest ntimation Of the
cause OF bis imprisonment. Gen. Sheridan
who acted toward the Doctor with ever,
kindness and courtesy compatible with bi.
orders from Washington, appeared to be
equally ignorant the reasons of his imprs.
onment. The Doctor knew that Mr. Sew
ard had always professed warm personal
regard for him; that he had declined to is.
sue an order for his arrest on previous oc
casion, and be could not believe that he was
the author or would voluntarily be the actor
in his harsh treatment. There was some
slight ntimation that the Doctors arrest
and imprisonment were due to his connect,
ion with the Sonora colonization scheme
but this could hardly be credited for several
reasons:
l. That scheme had no sort of relation TO
the controversy between the United States
and the Confederate States. 1t was simply
private enterprise for the establishment OF
acolony in remote State of Mexico, with a
view OF developing the mining resources OF
the country, in the success Of which all
Americans, and, indeed, the civilized world,
were interested.
2. This scheme had the sanction and ap-
proval Of both Louis Napoleon and Maximil.
ian when first proposed; but as the Doctor
looked to the American race to compose and
ou'ld up his colony, no statesman Of this
co ntry should have regarded it With any
other feelings but those Of favor, encourage
Dent and support, looking to the inevitable
possession and control Of this country by our
race. So long as our Government had aban.
doned the Monroe Doctrine, it became quite
obvious that the only mode of reaching the
practical end of that doctrine was by this
system of colonization. The sanction of
Napoleon and Macmillan of this scheme
became necessary from this very surrender,
on the part of our Government, of that an,
cent doctrine.
If there was nothing, therefore in the
Doctors scheme hostile to the interests of
the United States, bis detention and i'm.
prisonment had the aspect of either con,
cession TO the demand of one of the foreign
powers connected with the enterprise, or as
a slight or indignity to the other. In either
case we should not consider it justifable or
becoming act. 1t is we'll known that Maxi
milan, after an interview with Louis Napo.
leon and DR.. Gwn, in Paris, before assum-
inc the Imperial Crown, had fully approved
and sanctioned the Doctors plan. DR..
Gwin simply warned him of the opposition
it would encounter from the Mexicans; that
they were hostile to and jealous Of our civ
iization, and would do everything to defeat
it; but that if he (Maximilian) would stand
his ground firmly, the enterprise would sue
ceed, and that if he yielded, his crown would
be paper one, and bis empire dream.
Macmillan then fully concurred in this
view; but when the Doctor presented him.
self in the city of Mexico. with the full re-
commentator Of Louis Napoleon, the young
Austrian adventurer bad changed bis views
and fallen into the Mexican policy and
spirit. lie would not give the Doctor an
audience, and even when the latter had
made another visit to Paris, and returned
with new credentials and authority, he was
still preversely opposed and hostile to the
whole scheme.
1t was then, the Confederate movement
having failed, that the Doctor returned to
his native country, determined 10 resume his
duties as good citizen. He was arrested
on his arrival here by orders from Washing
ton, and sent to Fort Jackson, where be has
remained close prisoner for eight months
Many applications have been made for the
release ofAhe Doctor, and suggestions have
been made to him 10 consent TO medical
survey, with view Of obtaining certificate
that his health would be injuriously affected
by his longer Imprisonment. To all these
propositions he has made an emphatic mega
tive. As TO his health he declares he never
was better-he was growing every hour
stronger and heartier. He was equally
emphatic in declining to submit to any con,
ditions for his release save those given by
other Confederates who were charged with
no crime. As to the proposition that he
should pledgehimself to leave the country and
and remain abroad, bis reply; "Never. This
is my country. was born here, and intend
to leave my bones 10 this soil. Exile is next
to death in the grade of punishment; inn
prisonment follows exile. am now suffering
the third degree Of punishment, and wont
wont exchange it for the second degree" r
the suggestion that be should allegiance to
the United States, his reply was: lie was a
native citizen and not a foreigner, and would
not recognize the right Of requiring such an
oath from him." ., ..f.. .....H
What then did he demand and desire9
To meet any charges against me, even be
fore Military Commission, and have fair
or any sort of trial, SO that may know the
cause of my imprisonment aod establish my
integrity, or if this is not conceded, that
should 60 out on my parole such as has
been given by the soldiers oftbe Confsderacy
This latter prosition was at last accepted
and the Doctor is once more free citizen
to the great delight of bis numerous friends,
and to the relief OF bis family who, are now
in Europe He expresses bis grateful ac'
knowledoement for much courtesy and kind