The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29
AMERICAS EFFORT 70 Save HIN.
The Sherman-Campbell Expedition and
Why II Failed.
EX-MINISTER OTTERBOURG'S STORY
Secretary Stewards Desires and Why They
Were Not Accomplished

Of December Ia has accustomed discussion
among those who familiar less, with the
events which transpred in that very exciting period
extending from September 1866. to June. 1867.
Judge Marcus Otterbourg, who American Consul
at that time in the city of Mexico and afterward
American Minister in the place, visited by
HERALD reporter and induced to relate what he
knew Of the Sherman Campbell expedition and other
circumstances appcrtaining TO the revolutionary
epoch referred to. He told the inside and hitherto
unpublished history of these things and shed light
subjects but very imperfectly understood by the
world in relation them. His interviews with Gen.
eral Grant Bazaine and Maximilian. though matters
of great Importance in this connection, have never
been mentioned before, and will be read with interest
The interview with ex-Minister Ottcrbourg was
conducted in the form of question and answer, in
terrupted and then by reference to private
diplomatic correspondence and records and may thus
be succinctly epitomized. The reporter remarked:-
As you in charge of the legation in the city of
Mexico at the time the Sherman-Campbel expedition
vas sent from Washington by Secretary Seward. you
must have known its object and what was expected
of it,"
"This expedition was not started while was in
Mexico, although was in the city Of Mexico when
Mcssrs. Sherman and Campbell anchored at Vera
Cruz, said the gentleman.
"That seems like a contradiction, Judge. How do
you explain it %
"Well l suppose may say to you that very few
people living know what was the occasion of the
petition. 1t was during the month of September
1866. Marshal Bazaine in the interior and the
situation had become very grave at the capital
Rumors afoat that the French army had become
dissatisfied and that Marshal Bazaine himself had
begun to despair of controlling matters in the
Tho ipA surrounding mi liam
more than inimca to the French and it was
generally understood that the orders from the French
government meant early evacuation of the country
by its troops That they had decided to goI knew; but
their amour propre rendered them undecided as to
how they could leave with good grace. From the
official bulletins to the situation in the interior
nothing reliable could be Cleaned to make
it the subject of o bond file communication to the
American government The means that would have
been furnished any representa- tive Of any other
foreign government to obtain correct information
were not placed at my disposal had to be my own
gatherer, agent reporter or whatever you
choose TO call it, and resort to strategy to
something like accurate information for my superiors
at Washington. There no doubt, however that
any man slightly familiar with the circumstances
and daily occurrences about him could that
the Empire was fast crumblipg. A few days
Seward I was out on Of my tours OF observation
and made il my business to hunt mp of whom
knew could obtain the truth as to the condition
Of things in the Interior found him in front OF
fonda or coffee house OF the public squares
had heard OF diplomatsts going to breakfasts or
dinners, not for the purpose of eating drinking
but to unlock the souls of attaches with the
key of genalty and good fare. For hold that at no
time is a likely to be communca-
tive and good natured than after a sumptuous re-
past. I at time did considerable i'm this way
but this government has forgotten to refund the
money thus expended But to return to my friend
at the fondo invited him to enter and take glass
of sherry with me. which he did and opened con-
versaton with him about the situation.
SOUNDING A DIPLOMAT.
Il asked him IL he had heard anything from Marshal
Bazaine and from his manner ] saw at once that he
had But IL was evident that he meant to keep his
knowledge TO himself. II important should
have it, so passed the sherry again. 1t is wonder
full the effect few glasses of sherry will have on
some natures After this gentleman had taken his
third libation he thawed completely. have some
nature and here but myself could be posses
sion OF it, 80 you will that you must guarantee
that shall never be mentioned your source of in
formation If tell you what know. Igave the
gentleman my promise and have kept it and mean to
Keep it. He then read letter to me
from a man attached to Marshal Bazaine's
headquarters describing the condition Of the
French as being desperate in the extreme
considered the information In its details Of such I'M
portance that sorry Tor having given my prom
ise Of secrecy felt that action had to be taken inn
mcdatcly, and asked my friend to permit me to
the information for the benefit of my government.
He demurrcd on the ground that in the existing dis
order of the country dispatches even to the United
States government did not always reach their dcsa-
ton and he felt that should minc containing this in.
formation. fall into the hands OF any Of the contend
ing parties in Mexico he must necessarily be dscov-
cred a. my informant ! set his mind Mt rest on this
score by telling him that would carry the news home
myself.
ole was satisfied. and we parted returned TO the
leraton sent a de spatch to Consul at Vera Crnz
nstructing him to notify the state Department that
/ would leave Mexico the following day for Washing
ton my arrival there to be subject to the approval OF
the Secretary of state. In other words. was going
home without leave, rcserving my explanation for
Mr.. seward alone. left the following day ana ten
days after reported at the State Department at WASH
ington. received by Mr.. Seward, to whom
told all knew about the situation ia Mexico. He
approved of my coming and did the government.
Then, having passed through New York without
seeing my family. asked for thirty days leave of
absence II was denied. / was placed under
orders, with the privilege of remaining in
Washington. Two, days nfierward through
the intervention of Mr.. Fred Seward l was
allowed to my family In New York;with the
understanding. however. that would hold myself
In readiness to leave ut "A moments notice. On De-
tobcr ~ was ordered to report ~ person at the
state Department, and accordingly did so. l arrived
In Washington about six O'Clock on the morning OF
the 25d. and called ut Nr. Sewards office ut nine
O'Clock. had a brief interview with HIM, during
which he ordered me to reduce to writing what had
TO say about Mexico. there To be Cabinet
meeting Mt eleven o'clock at which Mexican matters
would be discussed. and he wanted to present my
port ON that subject. | did 10, and few minutes
before eleven O'Clock Secretary seward put IL In his
portfolio and went ~ the Cabinet meeting at tho
White House
THE siERMAM-CAMrBELL EXPEDITION.
"a few DAYS after ordered TO report AT tho de-
partinent again 10 meet Mr. Campbell. who had then
been appointed Minister to Mexico IL was at that
meeting that learned that General Grant, Mr.. Camp
bell aud myself we're to go on the Susquehanna to
Mexico. Three copies of the secret instructions
which TO govern the conduct of that expedition
were then delivered 10 M. one copy went to Mr.
Campbell received another and the third placed
IN Mr.. Cgnpbefs hands with directions 10 both to
call General Grant an, notify him OF his appoint
Since that time the purport and force OF these
instructions have become matters OF history, aud
we need not go into an explanation OF them. We
only talking about things and occurrences of that
evenful period which have never been divugud here
tofore aud up 20 this moment have been known only
10 myself ald others interested in tho Mexican
muddle. ~ asg.u