The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-12

dreams Of future conquest in Mexico un-
doubtedly began to seize upon the Spanish
imagination. Indeed, II is by no means diff
cult TO trace in the diplomatic correspondence
OF spain, for two or three years before this
crisis had arrived, indications Of a purpose to
bring the affairs of Mexico into the open field
OF European politics, for such disposition as
the powers of Europe might see fit to make OF
them. And the leading actor in this whole
scheme seems TO have been the Spanish Minis
ter in Paris, Mr.. Mon, who, as early as Novem-
Der "a, 1858, suggested in a despatch TO
M. Walewski, then French Minister of
Foreign Affairs, the necessity OF esta-
blishing a firm and stable Government
in Mexico. In this, however, Mr.. Mon seems
to have been acting upon his own responsl-
bility, for in a despatch dated January
8, 1859, 20 Mr.. Calderon Callantes, the Foreign
Minister of the Spanish Government, he COM
plains that he is unable to impress his own
views properly upon the Spanish Government.
"The thought" he says, "that have not
been able to make your Excellency compre-
hend is to find out if it is not possible to aid in
forming a Government in Mexico, which, sup
ported at first by the three powers, might
afterwards exist without any assistance" And
he asks Mr.. Callantes to inform him ''what
form is best, and what means most available to
attain this end" The Spanish Secretary, in
reply, ON the 10th, comedies that it is of the
utmost Importance to establish a strong and
durable Government in Mexico" and adds that
he thinks ''moral suasion and diplomatic dis
cussions" will prove adequate to induce
Mexico to such a course. This was in January,
1859, a year and a half before the rupture
of France and England with Mexico, and
shows clearly that European intervention in
the internal affairs of Mexico had been
favorite idea with Spain long before it was car
ried into execution. Nor did she stop with
the efforts referred to. Her scheme was vigo-
rously pressed upon the French and English
Governments throughout the interval. On
the 10th of March, 1860, the Spanish Minister
began to urge his claims against country
''the situation of which could not be worse"
On the 18th of April Mr.. Callantes speaks still
more explicitly, and refers to the efforts pre-
viously made by the Spanish Government to
enlist England and France in her favorite
project of Intervention. 'Your Excelency
knows,' he says, ''of the attempts made
several times by the Government of her
Majesty to join in the adoption of measures to
put an end to the anarchy now exhausting the
Mexican republic" And he then proceeds in
the following very explicit manner
"I had a consultation some time ago on this
grave affair with M. Barrot, the French Ambas-
sador. M. Barrot transmitted my remarks to
the Department of Foreign Affairs of the EN-
peror, and recently he read me an extract from
one of his de spatches, which says that the Gov
ernments of France and England are now dis
Government in Mexico to be recognized by the
whole nation, and put an end to the painful
condition of that unfortunate country.
IN. Thouvenel thinks the best way would be
to propose constituent assembly TO fix per-
manent form of government and settle all ex-
listing difficulties, whatever their nature or i'm
"Her Majesty's wish is that your Excellency
have an interview with M. Thouvenel to try
and contrive some way for the three powers TO
intervene In the disorders OF the Mexican re-
public. Her Majestys Government thinks that
the simple news OF this resolution and the first
steps taken will be enough to encourage the
honest people of Mexico, and dispose them to
act in favor of that Government which, without
limiting the exercise OF legitimate rights and
tries, may SUPPRESS the spirit of rebellion that
country"
There is no intimation here of a purpose to
change the form of government in Mexico, but
only to make it stable. But in a despatch
dated two months later than the one just
quoted, hints are thrown out that the MeXi-
can people may prefer monarchy, and early
in September, 1861, Mr.. Mon, the Spanish
Minister at Paris, who seems from the begin
ming to have been the spring and strength
of the whole project, in a despatch to his Gov
ernment after stating the embarrassments of
the Government of the United States in conse-
quence of the war then beginning says, "The
Government ought to know that this is good
opportunity to awaken old memories and
place upon the throne of Mexico Prince of
the Bourbon blood, intimately connected with
that House."
To all these suggestions it is simple justice
to say, England gave no encouragement. On
the 9th of April, 1860, in reply to the pro-
posal of cooperation, Lord John Russell in
formed Mr.. Isturitz, the Spanish Minister in
London, that England would not reject it if it
| was understood that no force was to be used in
its execution, but he added that England
would require protection to Protestant wOr-
ship, to which Mr.. Isturitz rejoined that in
| this she could not have the cooperation of
| Spain. M. Thouvenel also, on behalf OF the
| French Government on the 18th of May,
| 1860, disclaimed all ideas of using coercion
against Mexico, whereupon the Spanish
Government hurried her military pre-
| parations, despatched fleet with troops
| to Cuba and sent secret instructions to the
Captain-General of that Island. On the 9th OF
September, 1861 the Spanish Government in
structs its Minister in Paris to inform the
| French Government that a Spanish expedition
is on the eve OF departure for Mexico. The
matter of Joint expedition has been in pro-
cess of discussion, aud on the 1lth OF October,
| 1861, M. Thouvenel writes to the French
Minister in London, Count de Flahaut saying
that he agrees with the English Government
that their coercion of Mexico ''should be
caused by their complaints against that Gov
| ernment,;' and that ''the prevention OF their
repetition was the only ostensible excuse 1or
a Conventions" and he adds:-
"But 1t seems to me useless TO object to legal
/ participation In the events caused py ouI oPe-
rations. 1t Is lawful to suppose that III Tue re-
| suit of the American crisis should De septIa-
| tion of the North and South, the TWO new
concentrations would seek compensattIIoT1, u, on on
1 fpaVa town HNra