The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-05-18
The Case Of the Archbishop Of Paris-His
Captivity and Treatment in Mazas Prison
Interview with Minister Washburne-
Interesting PartIcularS.


Captivity and Treatment in Mazas Prison
Interview with Minister Washburne-
/ Interesting Particulars.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Secretary of State
has received advices from u s. Minister Wash
burne in Paris, detailing some interesting par
ticulars of the incarceration and treatment oil
Monsigneur Darboys the Archbishop of Paris, by
the insurgents Of that city. Mr.. Washburne Wis
tied the Archbishop, by permission of the Com
mune, in the Mazas prison, in relation to which
he says, under date of April 23d
"On Thursday night last received a letter
from bionsigneur Dhige, Archbishop of Myre,
and nuncio apostolic OF St. Lege, and also COM
muncation from Mr.. Lonower chauvine of the
diocese of Paris, and Mr.. Legard, the Vicar
General of Paris and Messrs. Tabouset and AL
lain, chauvines and members of the Metropolitan
chapter of the Church of Paris, all making a
strong appeal to me, in the name of the right of
nations, humanity, and sympathy, to interpose
my good offices in behalf of the imprisoned
Archbishop. I have thought that I should have
been only conforming to what I believed to be
the policy of our Government, and carrying out
what conceived to be your wishes under the cir
| cumstances, by complying with the request of
the gentlemen who have addressed me. I, there
fore, early this morning put myself in communi-
cation with Gen. Cluscret, who seems at the pres
ent time to be the directing man in affairs here.
diplomatic capacity, but simply in the interest of
good feeling and humanity, to see if it were not
possible to have the archbishop relieved from ar
rest and confinement
He answered that it was not q matter within
his jurisdiction, and however much he might like
to the archbishop released, he thought in
consideration of the state of affairs, it would be
impossible. He said he was not arrested for
crime, but simply to be held as hostage, as
many others had been. Under the existing cir
cumstances he thought it would be useless to
lake any steps in that direction. I, myself,
| thought the Commune would not dare, in the
present excited state of public feeling in Paris,
to release the archbishop. l told Gen. Cluseret,
| however. that must see him, and ascertain his
| real situation, the condition of his health, and
whether he was in want of anything. He said
| there would be no objection to that, and he i'm
| medately went with in person to the Prefec-
ture of Police, and upon his application 1 re-
ceiyed from the project permission to visit the
| archbishop freely at any time.
| In company with my private secretary, Mr..
| Mexican, I then went to the Mozas prison, whore
WIS admitted without difficulty, and being ush-
cred into of the vadant cells the archbishop
was very soon brought in. I must say I was
deeply touched at the appearance of this venera-
BILE man with his slender person, his form
what bent, his long beard, (for he was not shaw
ed apparently since his imprisonment, his face
haggared with i'll health, all could not have failed
to have moved the most Indifferent. I told him
had great pleasure, at the instance of his friends
in intervening in his behalf, and while 1 could
not promise myself the satisfaction of seeing
him released, was very glad to be able to visit
him to ascertain his wants, and assuage the cruel
position in which he found himself.
He thanked me most heartily and cordially for
| the disposition had manifested towards him. 1
was charmed by his cheerful spirit and his inter
estng conversation He seemed to appreciate
his critical situation and to be prepared for the
worst. He had no word of bitterness or reproach
| for his prosecutors but, on the other hand, re-
marked that the world judged them to be worse
| than they really were. He was patiently await
| ing the logic of events, and prayed that Proyi-
| dence might find solution to these terrible
| troubles without the further shedding of human
blood.
| He is confined in a cell about feet by 10, pos
sby little larger, which has the ordinary
| furniture of the Mazas prison. wooden chair,
a small wooden table. and prison bed. The
cell is lighted by one small window. As politi-
cal prisoner. he is permitted to have his food
| b. ought to him from outside the prison, and in
| answer to my suggestion that should be glad to
send him anything he might desire, furnish
him with any money he might want, he said he
was not IN need at present. was the first man
he had seen from the outside since his imprison-
ment, and he had not been permitted to- see the
newspapers, or TO have any intelligence of pass
| ing events
| ! shall make application to the Project Of 20
lice to be allowed TO send him newspapers and
other reading matter, and shall also avail myself
of the permission granted me to visit him, TO the
end that may afford him any proper assistance
in my power. | cannot conceal from myself
however, the great danger he is in, and I sin
cerely hope that may be instrumental in saving
him from the fate which seems to threaten him. -
Minister Washburne also writes an account of
his subsequent successful efforts with the Com
mune for the protection of property Of Ameri-
cans in Paris, and the release of Germans and
others cast into prison BY the Commune. Among
the persons released by his Intervention were two
French Sisters of Charity, who had been drag
ged from their convent by the national guard
and German priest. He afterwards visited the
Archbishop of Paris taking him some newspa-
pers and bottle Of old Madeira wine. He found
him about the same he was on the occasion of
his previous visit, and manfesting the same
cheerful spirit.
In his speech at St. Louis, Missouri, few
days ago Senator Carl Schurz said II con-
siaer it one of the most pressing needs of our
day that we should return to the sound prac-
tlce of constitutional government. The safe