Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-06-18
Pre.AZtec Mexico.


exploration Of Mexico and Central
America, planned by Mr.. Pierre Loril.
lard. tho expense of which will be
borne conformity by that gentleman and
the French government, will start for
the plateau Anahuac. M. Desire
Charnay, who is in charge of the expe-
dition, will be accom- panied from here
only by his secretary, NJ. Albert Lee
MARE, and one American assistant.
The needful help in making the exca-
vations will be secured on the spot, aud
~ M. Charnay is an expert in the arts of
photography and moulding, he dis
penses with the services of special ar
lists in these departments. The main
object of the expedition is to search by
excavations for traces of the race OF
people who preceded not ouly the
Aztecs. but the Otomies, Chechimeques
and Olmeques. NJ. Charnay, being spec
tally commissioned by the French gov
eminent, will make tue best terms he can
with the Mexican government as to the
sharing With the French OF any nova
BILE relics OF bygone age and PEOPLE
that may be discovered. Models will
also be carefully made from the origin
ais, and of these the French govern
ment and Mr.. Lorillard will each re.
ceive duplicate sets.
NJ. Charnay, the leader # the expe-
ditiou, is well-known savant and ex-
plorer. He is member Of the
geographical societies of Paris and
Lisbon. This will not be his first visit
to the scene of the projected excava-
tions, as be visited Mexico in 1858 and
again in 1860, in the interests of the
French government. 1t is but ten
months since he returned from O pro-
tracted tour Of exploration in Australia.
New Guinea and Java, whence he took
back tn Paris valuable collections illus.
trativs of the flora and fauna of these
far away lands.
On inquiring for NJ. Charnay at the
Brunswick Hotel, last Thursday, the
Herald reporter was introduced to q
sturdy. middle-agcd gentleman with a
carefully trained gray mustache, who
was seated in the corridor engag ed in
conversation with young Frenchman,
M. Albert Lemaire, who, while acting
AZ his chiefs private secretary, is also
AN expert draughtsman, having studied
ut the Ecole DIES Beanx Arts, in Paris.
NJ Charnay, who speaks English fluent
ly, in reply to request for information
as to the objects and prospects Of the
expedition said: "Thare are six prov
lnces. in all OF which I propose to
search for traces of tho unknown peo-
pie who existed there long before the
time of the Aztecs, or, indeed, before
those other races Oh tribes known as
Otomies, Chechimeques and Olmeques,
about whom all traces hitherto found
have been most vague and fragmentary.
go to Washin ton, think. to-mor
row. where l shall confer with tie
President and others, and liz ten days
think we shall make start. My out
tit, scientific appliances, &C., are al
ready en- route. When I was there in
1S5S-60 marked various spots to the
plateau Anahuuc as likely t. provn Val
liable in my researches, and atehese
points the first excavations vii! proba
bly be made" In answer to an inquiry
as to the length of time he expected to
be engaged III his Sc arch, NJ. Cuarnay
went On to say: We may be away
from eighteen months to three years.
The length Of time will greatly depexd
on tho success that attends our l4bors.
will make no suppositions As to what
We raay discover. l have, of course,
high hopes, but until We have COM
menced our labors am as much in the
dark as yourself as to what We are like
ly to discover. With regard to the dis
position of relics we may find. shall
make the best treaty can with Mexico.
I will take one-half, or one third, ia
fact. all they are willing to give. But
[ shall prepare accurate models of
every thing discovered both for the
French government and for Mr.. Lori
lard. He is u great and generous man
on this question. The expense is borne
about equally by France and Mr..
Lorillard, II there is more money on
one side there is an equivalent mean
the FreLch government have furnished
the outfit. In about two or three
weeks time will be published. expect,
simultaneously in France, Germany,
England and America. detailed state
ment of our projects. Beyond what l
have told you, really, myself, ara not
in a position to say anything more at
present"
Mr.. Pierre Lorillard was found at his
house ut Thirty-sixth street and Fifth
avenue. ION! you have seen NJ.
Charnay. have your" said he; we'll,
was just going to refer you to him.
This has been pet project of mine for
ten years past, aud should have car
ried it out long sinco but for the diff
culties encountered in tho search for q
suitable man to conduct the aff,ir.
When my friend, Mr. Rice, of the North
Amnicun Rerie,o, went abroad recently,
asked him to look out for some suita-
BILE man; he heard that NJ. Charnsy
was then negotiating with the French
government, and as I h I'd resolved to
put my long-cherished ideas into shape,
and M. Charnay appeared the very
man, after some negotiation We j 'ined
forces rather than have two expeditions
in the fell. All prelimiaaries will be
settled on NJ. Charnay's return from
Washington. ant he will start at once.
With regard to the expense. which, as
at present es.im .ted, will be about $780,
600, the French government and myself
share it about equally. If | tiud more
cash than they do they furnish the out