New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-19
FRENCH IyTRIGUES IN MEXICO.

POSSIBILITIES OF THE CANAL SCHEME
Suggestive FACTS DISCLOSED REGAhDlNu iil''
MAMMALIAN EXPEDrrIoN-lS lDE DE L''''' 10
CANAL INTENDED AS A PEETEXr FOR DiPLo-
MATIC COMPLICATIONSf
tepou AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRtBoNE
PARIS. JAM GA lawsuit is now pending before
tbe Civil Tribunal OF the Seine which presents
some features of much interest at moment "nen
a large corporation is organizing III Fatis' uhuer
tbe laws Of this country, with its chlet once nero
and with the vowed purpose of making and own
inr ship canal across the continent OF AHor'ca.
rho trial IS between individuals, it is true, and
involves no very large amount OF money but inc
ovidence which this legal contest has elected,
+oocbcs n lesson which should not be dlsregarded.
The documents produced confirm the general belief
that the Onixotic attempt OF the late French I'm
neror To put Macmillan on the throne OF Mexico,
while il grew in part, out OF Napoleon dislike OF
orr Republican form of government, and ont OF his
idle dream Of ability to check ReDubcanisln. was
also. in great measure. instigated and supported
nv his confidential advisers. whose selfish motives
arose from speculations in the Jcckcr Bonds" no.
toriously illegal according TO the laws OF Mexico
Il appears that the Due dc MOrny. the alter ego
of the French Emperor had private secretary OF
the name OF Marpon. This person sent an agent 10
Mexico with instructions to press upon the atten-
ton of the French Charge dAhares in that country
the fact that his Government needed claim of tho
Importance OF that Of the Jecker Bonds to justify
an inter ycntion by arms in Mexican affairs The
lesson this teaches is plain IL an illegal claim held
nv this man Jecker, ut that moment not even q
French subject, could be put forth subsequently,
when he became such, what may not be urged at
some future day, as n plea for the protection OF
French interests when these may belong to nuner'
Qua French stockholders, in this new corporation
created under French laws with capital OF sew
eral hundred millions Of francsf Would not.
moreover, the existence OF so-callod American
Committee" across the water be adroitly pleaded
as n semi.recogniton OF the ayOwed objects OF the
parent company in Paris
1t must not be supposed that questions OK this
nature have never crossed the minds OF tue
prominent organizers of this Lesseps Panama
Canal" scheme. Several Of these gentlemen
are adopts we'll trained in the Imperial school, the
doors of which were closed ut Sedan. The present
Rcpul lican Government OF France acts on more
sound views Of right and wrong in international
matters than did that of the Empire. The course
which this country has taken. within the last few
years. proves this One need not stop to inquire
how far the necessities OF its position have con-
tributcd to show France the wisdom of its present
conduct. Besides, it is we'll understood here that
tho &" l.csseps Canal" scheme. whether in reality
only one or financial nature, or one meaning pos
sihly canal at some distant day-if practicable
meets with no especial favor in the eyes or the
members Of the French Cabinet. Still. in view of
the kaleidoscope aspect of governmental mutations
in Europe 1t is we'll to note what has boon, III
order TO guard against the possible may be OF the
future.
The following are the chef facts alleged IN the
lawsuit in question. AMI translation OF the dOcu-
hTO, ont IN fha trial NJ
do Morny it il said died indebted in the sum OF
/ 900 francs to u ~ Fourier. the secretary Of a
certain NJ Maroon who WAS MOrny's confidential
agent and private secretary. Upon the death of NJ
de Murny his heirs declined to pay the debt. which
remained unpaid also at the time of the death OF
the creditor The son OF this gentleman now brings
an action against the estate Of NJ. lie NOrny to RS
cover the amount. Tho counsel for the plaintlit
has read IN evidence the following letters, the draft
copies Of which have been found among the papers
OF the late VI. FOurner:
NJ MARION 10 NJ. DE PGrRHFs.
90 Nov, 1860
Inov propose that you go to Mcxicc. hy the next
steamer, IN order TO represent me IN an important mat
tnr house Jrckrr. Of MrxcOas also ~ al Others
when you NAY negotiate shonld you succeed, agree
tn give you 70 per cent OF the profits
NJ. MARION 70 JECXER.
, Il Dec. 1860.
7 send t. Mexico one OF my rrlat YES. tAc Count dc
II rIr3 lHtEhst 90 MN W
you. matter growing Ou Of The d"cr~es u 30 Ocober
isjy anu 3Uth January. 1850. Though one of your
frt mis- I'll somewhat familiar WIN tlis great
OPERATION Is ~ important that de ids to send to YOU
immediately. "A person who IL perfectly reliable can
assure III beforehand, that not only III this matter hu
IN All others In which y0u may give mn an interest tue
r,n.t rlrlcnus steps sAal b. taken to obtain. in all
rc.uerts sIch rrnis ~ you Will endcHyOr
Effectively to fari e your Iiqmdlton. nO'wlih~tand
Ing all low nlGgncs seek"g 10 cbrrass You, Out winch
snail be able 10 cOuatrraci.
NJ. MARION TO ". DE PIERRES.
We nre NJ last vrtorlous along the whole lineI We
hr y strongly advocated collective expedition, aud
= If now agreed upom We have car-ed 10 be- admitted
here among the Gains, the recognition OF the "Jcckcr
Bonds"
FROM TIE SAME TO THE SAVE.
Ynr efirrs hAvn hcen prrClonA 10 mn. for thy hnyc