The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-12
A Distinguished Ex-Confederate Cavalry
General to Lead the Expedition.
An Understanding that the Government
viii Not Interfere.
Three Expeditions to March ON Mexico
from Arizona and California.
Sonora to be Captured and Declared In
dependent.
Especial TO N. o. Democrat.l

WASHINGTON. May 11.-For several
days past the atmosphere here has beer
full Of rumors, bearing more or less ap
pearance OF authenticity, touching or
move about to be made upon Mexico
These rumors have foundation in the
following facts:
Ever since the arrival OF Lerdo dc
Tejada In Washington, D. G., leading
spirits OF the Mexican movement, which
was started two years ago and aban
doned for want OF financial backing
have been busy inaugurating new one
The prompt never iii the present
Instance is General we'll known In
California and the Southwest, who
was the youngest member of William
Walkers ill-starred expedition to Costa
Rica, and who long afterward, al
the head OF about eighty Americans,
seized the government of Guatemala
and held 1t nearly two years. For the
last four years this gentleman has been
carrying on coffee plantation In
Southern Mexico and awaiting for an op-
portunity, which he now thinks has ar
rived. Accordingly, he left Mexico
about four months ago, by way of Aca-
pulco, and came to San Francisco,
where he organized the nucleus OF q
new expedition. Thence he came East
to look for funds and other material
support. The expulsion of Lerdo by
Diaz was o godsend to the master
spirit aforesaid, who straightway put
himself en- rapport with Lerdo, in order
to obtain the color of his authority for
movements he was about to make.
The capital necessary to fit out three
expeditions has been provided, and the
leader OF the movement is now in Wash
ington negotiating with the State De-
partment as to what course can be pur-
sued without incurring any interference
from the Federal government. Great
reticence Is, Of course, observed; but
enough has been ascertained to show
that the following plan of operations
has been determined on:
A joint stock company has been
formed, ostensibly to develop the
mines in Arizona, and seve raj hundred
thousand dollars have been subscribed
thereto by the leading railroad capital
lists in San Francisco, New York and
Philadelphia. The funds are to be used
in fitting out three expeditions. One is
to start from Yuma, the present termf-
nus OF the Southern Pacific Railroad of
California, and push directly through
Sonora by land to Guaymas. The
second leaves San Francisco In ships
carrying supplies, and Is to meet the
first at Guaymas by water. The third ia
to rendezvous at Eel Paso and
pass through Chihuahua to the interior
OF Arizona, where it Is to be met by re-
Inducements from Guaymas. This
column will be the heaviest Of the three,
and is now being quietly recruited in
Texas, New Mexico, and as far east as
Missouri. 1t will be mainly composed
of ex-Confederate soldiers, and probably
will be commanded by an eminent Con-
federate cavalry officer now living in
Missouri, whose name is not unfamiliar
in Mexico.
The California column will be led by
the gentleman who is now here con-
Quoting the aforementioned negotia-
tion. The fate Of the whole movement
now depends on the assurances of non
interference from the Administration.
Ii satisfactory assurances are given, the
middle OF September will see $500
Americans in Sonora, a government
organized there and the State declared
Independent of Mexico as far as the
Diaz government is concerned.
This movement, while it is being pro-
noted by some Of the men who were
in the abortive movement Of
wo years ago. will be independent OF
hat enterprise SO far as the financial
'art OF it is concerned EBur1r,