The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-24
OBITUARY.
Imam Nepomuoeno AImonte.

telegram from Paris announces the death
in that city ON Monday of this prominent Mexi.
Mexico during the latter part OF the last CEN
tury, receiving fine education, and early dis
tinguished himself as man of ability and an
officer of skill and courage. Daring the Texan
war he served as general officer under Santa
Anna, and was participant in the massacre of
the Alamo,n the records OF which were found in
his journal. At the battle OF San Jacinto his
conspicuous gallantry was rewarded by President
Bustamente, who appointed him Secretary of
War-a position he filled with success, the
suppression of the insurrection headed by Urea
in ls4O being due TO the energy and courage he
displayed. During the latter paIt of the same
year, however, successful revolution drove
Bustamente from power, depriving Amonte
OF his office. Possessing but slender means, he
was forced to make a livelihood as lecturer on
science in the city of Mexico, until his appoints
ment as Mexican Minister 10 Washington, where
he remained for several years, making numerous
friends by his suave manners, dignihed bearing,
diplomatic relations between this country and
Mexico he represented his Government at the
French and British Courts, until the return to
power Of his friend Santa Anna in 1858, when
he was sent again to Washington. In 1856
the downfall OF the dictator occasioned his
removal from the United States; but he was
not allowed to remain long in retirement, ae
being shortly after appointed Minister to Eng
land. In 1861 the allied Intervention took
place, which eliminated in the re.establishing
of the empire. Almonte, ever opposed 10 the
Liberals. lost no opportunity to urge the
French Emperor to the course he subsequently,
pursued In the midst of the diesensions be-
tween the allied commanders he arrived at
Vera Cruz with letters from Napoleon, which
gave 10 the Intervention q new but not alto
gether unexpected feature. Juarez protested
against his presence in the French camp, and
demanded tfat Almonte should be delivered up
to him; but although General Prim and Sir
Charles Wyke, the English Commissioner,
were willing to comply with this demand,
the French commander refused; and shortly
after a proclamation was issued by
General Taboada, declaring Juarez deposed, and
Almonte invested with supreme power in his
place. He found himself, however, unable to
organize government and General Forey, on
his arrival in Mexico, annulled Taboada's de-
cree. After the decisive victory OF the FreOch
arms Almonte became one of the triumvirate to
whom they htrusted the manage nent of affairs
in Mexico, assigning him the Foreign Depart
ment and the Finances. When the scheme for
placing Ntximllian on the throne was perfected,
he, in company with the Archbishop OF Mexico,
proceeded to Miramar, and, on behalf OF the
Mexican people. rendered to Maximil an
the Mexican crown. When that untor'
he appointed Almonte Lieutenant OF the
Empire in April, 1864, aud some weeks
later Marshal of the Empire, and su6se-
quently sent him to the Court o. his ally,
NAPOLEON III, where he remained in a sem,'
official capacity until the downfall OF Maxi
milan. After the withdrawal of the French
troops, he exerted himself to the utmostto save
bic effort to induce Napoleon to keep his forces
in Me xico for few months longer.
Although Amonte had contrived to keep
| himself IN power most of the time, he never
attained the heie hit OF his ambition. that of the
socalled Presidency, for which position he was
| twice a candidate-frst in l845. aud again just
alter the close ofthe war withtbe United States
| when he allied himself, for time, with the
| Liberal opposition.
| After the downfall of the empire an the exc
| cution of the Emperor, the deceased continued
| to reside in Paris, where he lived until hi:
| death. General Almonte was a mau of rare
| abilities and varied attainments. But few
natives OF Mexico can boast of the high mental
| culture he possessed.