New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-07
FREMONT'S DEFENSE.
HIS REPLY TO THE FRENCH TRIBUNAL.


A TRIBUNE reporter called, last evening, on
GEN John c. Fremont TO talk with him about the suit
now in progress in France against him and others Tor
their connection with the Memphis IL Paso ana RACINE
hond saes and 20 obtain his version OF the transacon
Gen Fremont was evidently annoyed at the revival OF
matter which he said he had considered seted ny 0o
action OF Congress- 80 far as his integrity was
He said that If frauds committed, or msrepresen
taons MADE, they had been without his kno"ieuge UT
consent that he had been one OF the greatest
ers from them for OF the finest railroad prolee'S
ever favored in this country had passed RON
his into other hands He was not IN Farls
when the bonds put upon the Market
and had connection with the business which was iei1
entirely TO others, though hs name became prominent
on account OF his being Chairman Of the Executive com
mittee The device of forged certificate was decidedly
French its character. and would never nave peeh
thought OF by an American Paradise Co were among
the largest bankers in Paris and published the most
authentic stock list LssignOl and CrompOn were also
sharp shrewd bankers and would never have been de-
ceved by a bunging forgery or false ruInor' Inc
whole matter was in their bands and they knew what
they were about The statement made In Paris that e
bonds we're guaranteed by the United States Govern
ment could have borne examination as they showed
their face that they secured by lands granted
TO the railroad by the state OF Texas.
When be heard Of the false representations which had
been made he fastened 10 Paris for the purpose OF set
ting the matter right He was told BY Paradise and
Probst that the story OF Government guarantee had
been honestly started under misapprehenslon Ihey
had noticed that Congress had passed bill giving
right OF way 20 the Texas and Pacific Railroad and had
supposed that il was the bill Of the previous Winter
which had clause giving the national guarantee 10 the
bonds. de at once published in the newspapers full
statement OF the facts and tried undo far posi-
Bile, every wrong that had been committed In regard
TO the purpOrng TO have been issued by tho
nan
rectly given In yesterdays TRIBUNE. he was innocent
OF any knowledge OF fraud irreguary. He believed
that the enterprise was a good One and that II the
affairs Of the Company had not been suddenly closed up
it would have profitable to all interested in 1t.
Gen Fremont was asked II he knew anything OF the
progress OF the trial in Paris he answered that he had
received dispatch from his lawyer in Paris only few
moments before telling him that the proceedings had
gone against by default his absence. but that the
case could be reopened on application. His written and
sworn defense which had been forwarded 10 the tribunal
days had not been received He said that
he had been cited to appear before the tribunal and
had had no knowledge of the prosecution except from
private Nevertheless he would have presented
himself in person. II he had heard OF 10 in me and, as
it was he sent a full defense sOon as possible
The General was confident OF final yndIcation from the
charge OF completely any fraudulent transaction con-
nected with the Memphis FL Paso and Pacific Railroad
He expressed sympathy for tile French bondholders
who suffered from the failure OF the road. They are
nearly 1900 number and belong for the most part TO
the peasant class. IL pable 10 see their dlsap
pontment they found that they had lost they
supposed their savings The General hoped that
through the ARRANGEMENT with the Texas and Pacific
road the bonds would all be redeemed at par. This
WILL however depend upon the decision Of the United
States Supreme Court spoken Of in yesterdays TRIBUNE
On being asked he had preserved copy Of the docu-
ment forwarded the Court, he said that he had re-
han hafor
pairing IT, but that they, with the aid of hs memory
would 70 indicate the principal points. The Gen
ea then produced few loose sheets OF paper on which
the notes were written and made the following state
nen 20 the reporter embodying, he said, the facts
given N his affidavit to the French tribunal
SUBSTANCE THE AFFIDAVIT.
During my explorations across the continent became
convinced that southern railroad line
was preferable lines further north. and formed the
plan building In 1867 became interested IN the
Memphis, FL Paso and Pacific road under contract 20
build It, for which purpose the bonds and other property
Of the Company 10 be placed under my control.
Agreeably the contract became director OF the
road and engaged in the management OF its affairs
Chairman OF the Executive Committee. then formed
the plan for southern transcOntinenta railroad haE-
ing for It's the charter Of this road and for ITS ter
minaI points the ports OF Norfolk and san Diego In
conformity with this plan, early IN 1868 memorial OF
the Memphis, FL Paso aud Pacific Railroad Company
OF public lands and loan OF United
States bonds 20 aid in constructing continuous line
OF railroad and telegraph from Jefferson in Texas 10
Diego, California, with authority 70 connect the
two oceans In 1862 bill substituted asking for
the extension OF the Memphis Ell PasO. and Pacific road
at san Diego This bill passed the House Of Representa-
tves and finally, after many changes. was approved
by both Houses under the name OF the Texas Pacific
Railroad BILL 1t provided for a large grant OF land and
right OF way the frontier OF Texas 10 the
Pacific Ocean. The road is now building by Thomas A.
Scott and will undoubtedly prove a success in every
way.
During the progress Of these measures negotiations
for the sale OF the Companys Land grant bonds had been
undertaken in France. By the advice OF Mr.. Boleau
the ConsulGeneral OF France &C New York, caused
contract for the sale OF the bonds to be made whHenry
Probst. This March, 1867 Mr.. Probst was intro
duced 70 by Mr.. Boilleau former agent OF the
French Empire, who had furnished supplies for its army
in Mexico In carrying out hs contract Mr. Pr0bst
cupled himself during 1851 1885, and In the
time he had associated with himself NJ. Emmanuel Lis
sgno The plans for negotiating the bonds made
aud conducted by them according 10 their own under
standing. In July, 1868, VIM. Aufferman engaged
by the Company NewYOrk 10 iad in dispatching the
preminares required by Mr. Probst far he could
and afterward TO go TO Paris for the purpose OF aiding
him bring the negotiations TO a satisfactory and
speedy The Company made him Assistant Treas
urer Among the preiminarles required certificate
quotations of the CompanYs bonds in the New-York
stock Exchange. With this had nothing to do. have
been informed that forged certificate 70 this effect
sent 10 Paris in October November 1853 and have
also been told that it inclosed IN letter my
signature Without examining that letter cannot say
whether 10 ia not whether IL was written 20
be used for that purpose My impression aud
belief is that 10 not forwarded
by me. II il it must have been brought to me aud
forwarded in the ordinary OF my duties as Chair
man OF the Executive Committee. Having at the time
no doubts the character OF the acting