The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-19
Prince Honri de Ia Tour d'Auvorsne, Minister
Of FOrelau Affairs.


This Minister Ia descended from one OF the most
ancient and distinguished families Of France dating
back from Alfred, created Count OF Auvergue BY
Charles the Simple King Of France during the latter
part OF the ninth century. Many OF the members
were famous as statesmen soldiers and the entire
line has held Q prominent position in France for
nearly 1000 years. The genealogical history Of this
family is most interesting one.
The subject Of this sketch, Prince Henri Godfrey
Bernard Aphonse, 10 the chief OF the branch Of
Lauraquais, into which the house has merged,
and Is now known by the title Of Prince
born at Paris on the 23d OF October 1929, his
father being Prince Charles Melchor philippe Ber-
o young man Of twenty.nlne years of are. and was
distinguished for his abilities, diplomatic and other
wise; BY promptly giving IN his adhesion 70 the
perOr Napoleon, and after the lapse OF few years
was named Senator Of France, holding that position
Celeste de Montault des lies BY whom he had one
child, boy, born IN June. 1852. His wife died at
Florence on the 9Th Of March, 1857 ana he has not
Before 1858 Prince de la Tour dAuvergne held no
special diplomatic position under the empire,
political adairs Of France. On the 18th Of October
dor extraordinary and Minister Plenipotent!ary to
the Court OF st. James, and In the December follow
ing arrived In London and presented his credentials
Since then he has held this distinguished position
w sS In a s n
his appointment he has been an active agent. To
the once OF Minister Of Foreign Affairs he brings
much experience, and will doubtless administer the
duties OF his once with as much skill and tact az
any Of hts predecessors.
Adolpho Mel, Minister Of War.
Adotphe Mel, the newly appointed Minister Of
War, IL generally ranked one Of the most dlstin-
guished Officers In the service Of Napoleon, his
name being familiar to American readers more par
tculary from his record during the conduct Of the
siege of Sebastop0l. as engineer ln-chef to the mo-
ment Of the capture Of the Malako1 after he had
completed the last line OF "c0ncentrtcn advance
shelter for the storming party He was born at Mu-
ret, in the department Of the Haute- Garonnne on
the 4th of October 1902. was admitted to the Poly.
technique in 1921 and entered the Ecoie dAppiica-
ton OF Metz In 1923. He obtained his commission
as Lieutenant OF engineers, In 1927, and became q
captain IN the corps In 1881. In the year 1882 he
with distinction, being specially congratuiated by
the then Minister at War for his conduct at the cap
motion to command as cneT De oatat,on The young
oicer rose rapidly, being lieutenant colonel In 1872
colonel in ls48, and chief Of the stan engineers at
tached to the expedition to Rome In 1849. Here he
attracted notice from the Pope and being honored
by Napoleon with the commission OF general OF bri-
gade was despatched in the duty OF carrying the keys
OF the city to his Holiness at Gaeta. Returning to
France, he was placed In direction or the Depart
ment of Engineers, under the Minister OF War; and
which he was promoted April 30, 1858. In 1854 he
marched with an expeditonary corps to the Baltic,
Bomarsund He was appointed an aid-de-cainp to
Napoleon Oh his return. In January, 1856, General
Mel went to the Crlmea charged to investigate the
condition Of the imperial army and report on the
progress of the siege. In this lie decided
that complete investment OF sebasto-
pol was necessary, and that its vulnerable
point was the Malakof. He was right, ana proved
It, few days after the fall Of the Russian strong
hold he received the Grand Cross Of the Legion or
a fnr M lima
1857. In 1858 he went to Italy to demand from Vic
tor Emanuel the hand OF the Princess ClOtilde in
Italy, in 1885, he commanded the Fourth corps OF
the Army OF the Alps, and was particularly distin-
guished at Solerino After the peace he was created
a Marshal OF France. lie Is an eminent debater In
the Senate Marshal Mel has written history Of
the siege Of Sebastap0l.
Rigault De Genouilly, Minister of Marine.
The newly appointed Minister of Marine Is an ad-
mirai of the imperial navy. He was born at Roche
fort on the 18th of April, in the year 1907, and adj
mltted to She naval school Of France in 1926. He
entered the navy in $780, was captain of rigate in
1884, amember of the Admiralty In Paris in 1859 and
rear admiral Of the naval brigade operating against
despstcRea to command the iee In the China seas
and there co-operated with the British at
the capture sr, Of Canton canton iss He was
Honor in 1856 ana created Senator in $780,
In the month Of January, 1882, he took com.
mand OF the SqudurOl III the mediterranean, ana
was named Admiral January a. 1864. He was MIN
lister of Marine IN 1857. The Admiral has paid much
attention to the Development OF the French IRON
clad fleet, and Is practical as We'll as scientific
officer. lie IL q writer as well as a navigator and
has edited some two or three popular works in
Paris.
DC FORBADE La Roquette, Minister Of tho
Interior.
NJ 10 ROquette, though not prominent for SO many
wears as most of his colleagues IN the Ministry
has been for some time distinguished as one Of the
advisers of Napoleon. The first prominent offlce
held by him was In 1851, when he was appointed q
Councillor OF state and Director General of Customs
and indirect taxes. During the year follow.
Secretary OF State for the Financial Department.
la 1865 he appointed one of the vice presidents
of the Council OF State On the Goth Of January,
1861 the French Ministers rendered their designations
10 the Emperor. Among those accepted was That OF
and p 20 this post NJ de FORBADE ia Roqaete was an
pointed During the early part of the present year
NJ Pinard Minister OF the Interior resigned, and the
IL will thus be that there Is really no change in
this branch Of the Emperor's Cabinet
Pierre Magne, Minister Of Finance,
was born at Perigeux, December 3, In the year
1896. He Ia q self-made man. being Of what IS
termed obscure" family In 1881 lie was
admitted as an Groca or attorney, and was patron.
lied by Marshal Bugeaud. NJ. Fould noticed his pc
culiar ability and soon afterwards took charge OF his
political fortunes, lie became member both of the
Constituent and Legislative Assemblies, In which
bodies ne was recognized IA u practical man. al
though not much OF debating speechmaKer. He
retired to private life In IsiS, but was
recalled to Official position as Under Secretary OF
STATE for Finance In 1919. April TO- 1861 he was an
pointed Minister OF Public Works, In which o1lce
he was very successful during three or four years.
He was an able advocate OF railroad extension IN
France, and during the interim inspected all the
main lines already laid down IN tho empire anu
IN other countries OF Europe. adopting and
suggesting improvements. From 1864 TO 1850
be ned 10 the portfolio OF finance. 10 1860
he was nomnated Minister without port.
folio, retired nom the Cabinet In 1861 aud
was named Privy Councillor IN April OF the last
named year lie u senator and was COMMANDER
OF the Legion of Honor before he received the Grand
Cross IN 1904. NJ. Maqne originated ana conducted
most OF Napoleon's great loans, During ms absence