The New York herald., 1870-08-11
TIE NEW MINISTRY OF FRANCE.

IuE NEW MINISTRY OF FRANCE.
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We give below brief sketches Of the most promi-
nent members of the new Ministry of France formed
by Count de Paltkao. The members not sketched
are as folows:-M. Grandperret Is the Minister Of
Justice Procureur General OF the Empire and o
prominent lawyer Of France. whose prosecution Of
Prince Pierre Bonaparte for the murder of Victor
Noir and recent report on the regicide conspiracy
are well known. N. Clement Duvernos, Minister
OF Commerce, to whose motion on Tuesday was due
the downfall OF the olivier Ministry Is Journalist
OF distinction, editor Of 10 Pe,sple Ftancats men,
Der OF the Corps Legtslatif It will be noticed that
the entire Ministry is taken from the Right, every
member being partisan Bonapartist.
General Cousin Gs Montauban, Count De
Pulilxa0.
This distinguished soldier, who has been called to
the head OF the French Ministry, s one OF the firm
est adherents OF Napoleon. Born ON the Gath OF
June, $780, he received military education ana was
commissioned lieutenant In the army. He was
sent to Algeria, where, like nearly oil other
French officers OF eminence, he distinguished
himself In battles with the Arab tribes. In
1880 he was promoted to the rank OF major.
in 1s43 became lieutenant colonel, ana In
1s45 was made colonel and placed al the
head OF the Second Ohasseurs After the revolution
OF l848 Colonel MOntauban became Q partisan Of
Louis Napoleon, who, In September. 1851, promoted
him to the rank OF brigadier general. He was at
this time In Algeria and remained there for some
years after, increasing his reputation by the skill
with which he conducted the war against the
Kabyles. In 1855 he was made MAJOR general, and
soon after returned To France where he was placed
in command Of a military division. He did not
participate either actively or cOnspicuousy In
the Crimean or Italian wars. In 1880, however,
French expeditionary corps, and at the head or the
combined French and British forces made one OF the
most remarkable campaigns recorded IN modern war
fare. His army did not exceed 5000 men, and yet
with this force he advanced boldly upon Pekin rout
ing an immense army Of Chinese at Pakao, after
capturing the forti1cations at the mouth OF the
Peiho ana entering the capital on the 18th of Octo-
Der. This almost wonderful feat brought the Chinese
to terms They concluded treaty with the allies, and
soon after General Montauban and hisl army with
drew. The general returned to France 1861 after
making tour through Japan. He was received
with marked favor by the Emperor. who mad already
named him Grand Cross Of the Legion of Honor and
appointed him Senator Of France. In January
1892 he was further honored by having the title of
Count de PakaO conferred upon him, and about the
same time Napoleon proposed to the Corps Legis.
lattf the pr0priety OF granting him pension
General Montauban opposed the project, but the
Emperor insisted upon 1t, and the Corps accordingly
passed law granting the pension. In 1856 he was
appointed to command the Eighth Military Division
OF the empire with headquarters at Lyons. AS soon
as the present war was declared he was ordered to
Paris and it was reported that he would head the
expedltlonary corps TO tho Baltic. His appointment
in place Of NJ. olivier Is an indication that Napoleon
does not Intend to surround himself with other than
partisans of the Bonaparte dynasty.
of Foreign Affairs.
This Minister Is descended from one Of the most
ancient and distinguished families Of France, dating
back from Alfred, created Count Of Auvergne 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 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 AlphOnse, is the chief or the branch Of
Lauraquais, into which the house has merged,
and B now known by the title OF Prince
de la Tour ACCOMPLISHMENTS. He was
born at Paris on the 23d of October, 1929 his
fahter being Prince Charles MelcMor Philippe Ber-
nard. At the time Of the comp detat In 1852 he was
young man OF twenty-nine years Of age. and was
distinguished for his abilities, diplomatic and other
wise. BY promptly giving In hts adhesion to the
peror Napoleon, and after the lapse of few years
was named Senator OF France holding that position
with credit. In August, 1851. he married to Emile
Celeste de Montault des lies, by whom he had one
child. boy. born In Juno, 1852. His wife died at
Florence on the Sth OF March, 1857 and he has not
married again.
Before 1858 Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne held no
special diplomatic position under the empire,
although he frequently took an active part in the
political affairs OF France On the 18th Of October
Of that year. however, he was appointed Amba bassa-
dor Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentary to
the Court of St. James, and In the December follow.
ing arrived in London and presented his credentials
Since then ne has held this distinguished position
with marked ability. In all of the measures in
which the French government has taken part since
his appointment he has been active agent. To
the Office of Minister OF Foreign Affairs he brings
much experience, and will doubtless administer tn e
duties Of his Office with as much skill and tact as
any Of his prede cessors
Rigault De Conouilly, Minister of Marine.
The newly appointed Minister or Marine Is an ad.
miral OF the imperial navy. He was born at Roche
fort on the 18th Of April, in the year 1907, and ad
mLted to the naval school Of France In 1895. He en-
tered the navy in 1890, was captain Of frgate in
1s41 member OF the Admiralty In Paris In 1853, and
Rear Admiral OF the naval brigade operating against
Sebastopol In 1854. In the year 1855 he was
despatched to command the neet In the China seas
and there co-operated with the British at the cap
ture OF Canton, in 1857. He was promoted Grand
Oflcer Of the Legion OF Honor In 1856 and created
Senator In $780, In the month Of January, 1852, he
took command Of the squadron In the Mediterranean
and was named admiral January 81. 1864 He was
Minister Of Marine in 1867. The Admiral has paid
much attention to the development Of the French
iron.cad 1eet and is practical as well as a sclen.
tinc officer. He is writer as we'll as navigator
and has edited some two or three popular works In
Paris.