Huntsville gazette., 1885-11-14
A SCRAP OF HISTORY,


Dating BACK to the Napoleanic Fiasco oi
Establishing an European Dynasty In
Mexico - What General Grant thought
of DR.. Gwin's Intentions OF Accepting the
Dukedom of sonora-His Letter On the
Subject to General Mcdowell.
NEW YORK, November 9.-The follow.
ing letter from Lieutenant-G General Grant
to Major General Mcdowell concerning
the movements Of DR.. Gwip, and giving
him instructions with reference TO any
hostile movements to be undertaken
against the United States from the Mexi.
can State of Sonora is now published for
the first time:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE
UNITED STATES )
CITY POINT, VA, January g. 1885.
Major General L. Med aceU, Commanding De
pdrtment Of the Pdc!fc
GENERAL: 1t IS known that DIR. Gwin, for
mer United States Senator from California
has gone to Mexico and taken service under
stood also that he has been appointed Gov
ernor General of Sonora. The doctor is a
rebel of the most virulent order. His being
formerly resident of California and now
going to that State in Mexico border
ing on the State of his former resi-
dence portends no good to US. May it
not be his design to entice into Sonora
the dissatisfied spirits of California
and if the opportunity occurs, organize
them and invade the State? l write, without
havingidiscussed the question with anyone,
to put you on your guard against what
believe may prove a great danger. Watch
this matter closely, and should these appre
tensions prCyeiwell founded prepare to meet
them. You will find no difficulty in raising
any number of volunteers that may be neceS
sary in California repel an invasion of the
State. Especially will this be the case when
the invasion comes from a country with
which we are at peace.
In an event like the one alluded to, would
not rest satisfied with simply driving the In
vader onto Mexican soil, but would pursue
him until,overtaken,an and would retain posses
sion of the territory from which the invaders
start until indemnity for the past and security
for the future, satisfactory to the Govern
ment, was insured.
This letter, which may have to be regarded
as instructions for your guidance, is written
entirely without knowledge of what the
President would advise in case of an in
vasion of our territory from that of Mexico,
but with conviction that it is right and
just. The case supposed is very different
one from those that have occurred, starting
from Canada. In the latter case rebels have
fitted out for the invasion of our northern
frontier, upon Canadian soil, secretly, and
without the knowledge OF Canadian author
titles. in the threatened invasion 1T Will be
the act of officials OF usurperS OF the Gov
ernment of Mexico, and, in my Judgment,
would Justify direct assistance on our part
to re establish the legitimate Government
over that country. This letter Is intended
as private, until the exigency contemplated
calls for action on your part, when it will be
re garded as instructions for your guidance
in the absence of more recent orders. Very
respectfully, your obedient servant.
u. s. GRANT,
Lieutenant General.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL MCDOWELL's
NJ IIoprv McDorvalt cop of Con
eral Mcdowell, gives out the following:
''There was no doubt in General
McDowell's mind, even before he received
General Grants remarkable letter, that
Napoleon's intent to effect something
positive for France was combined with
the desire of putting a negative on the
United States"
ut was precisely because of DR..
Gwin's known connection with the Con-
federates, and especially those of Califor-
MIA, that he was chosen as the person
best suited to attract an emigration Ct
our enemy and plant upon our frontier a
people hostile to our institutions, our in
fuences and our progress. These were
General McDowell's sentiments and they
were in direct accordance with the prin-
ciples announced by Napoleon in his let
ter to General Torey in which he speaks
of staying the progress and influence OF
the United States over the Continent
General Mcdowell was much graft
fed by the receipt Of General Grants let
ter. The condition of affiirs in Califor-
MIA was much disturbed. Only those
persons who were in California at the
time, perhaps, can recall the difficulties
he experienced in keeping order in
State wh.s. loyalty was so much and so
long in question. The Legislature came
within an ace of declaring for the Con-
iederacy, the army was at one time De-
leved to be in danger OF being betrayed,
and the Democratic press, encouraged
by the APPARENT weakness OF the NORTH
ern cause, was continually fomentlng
disorder and inctin. rebellion. Under
these circumstances DR.. Gwin's move
ments were necessarily such as to awak-
en- apprehension. Gen eral Mcdowell
had ordered that no one should leave
California for Mexico without permit,
and that this permit should only be given
to loyal persons going on Legitimate bus.
mess, and that no agent OF DR.. Gwin
should be suffered to remain in his de-
partment."
Concluding h3s narrative of events. ending
at the collapse OF slaXimilian ahd the fading
of Mr.. Gwins hope, Mr.. McDowe writes !;
tToward Gen. Mcdowell Dir. Gwin exhibited
the kindliest feeling when in the latter part
Of that officers active period in the army
efforts were made to retire him, which
efforts, right or wrong, were believed to be
due to political feeling. Garfield was then
running for the presidency. DR.. Gwin MADE
about as emphatic report against them as
an;inveterate politician co1ld we'll make. !
have a candidate for the presidency said
the Duke of Sonora, dryly, but | would
abandon him rather than see Gen. Mcdowell
retired"