Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-07-09
HENLEY's LETTER.


| L 4,
John r. Mason, A. 4. Prorost- Marsha
Generdi-GENERAL In response to youl
communication, bearing date 9th inst. in
quiring ofme whetherI am, or am not, ''ar
agent or representative in some form of DR.
William NJ. Gwin, formerly United States
| Senator from this State | have the honor
hereby to state to you briefly my true pc.
| sition in reference thereto:
Some months ago | was employed BY
some gentlemen (whose names will be
| given upon request to proceed to the Ci;y
| Of Mexico tor the purpose of obtaining
from the Governmental authorities grant
of land somewhere in northern Mexico
with the view Of engaging in the cultiva-
! ton of cotton, tobacco, etc. On my arrival
at the city, in conformity with instructions
| submitted my papers and business gen
orally to DR.. Gwin, by whose opinions
had previously been told to be
governed, it having been understood
that he (Gwin) would be found in the CITY
! Mr.. Gwin promptly informed me that a
grant of land of that character could not
| be obtained, and it would be useless for me
to apply for it, saying, however, at the
same time, that small grants of land in the
shape of pre-emptOn claims, somewhat
like the American presumption plan OF
giving land to actual settlers, could be OBJ
tanned.
Mr.. Gwin, in conjunction with the Mar.
quis De Montholon, the French Embassa-
dor in Mexico, also gave me other informa-
ton in relation to the contemplated French
occupation of northern Mexico, assuring
me Of French protection and giving prom
Use of permanent government in that cOun-
try. These assurances. together UiM the
NATURAL inducements deid ont BY the c0ut,try,
determined me To take up my Qbodc there, in
p'rsa,ances Of 'gtich | applied to tie Necicaa
Government for letters Of naturalization, uAich
Were duty issued to me, the eyidence Of 1chich
fact being nor in the hands Of The French
Consul General IL tits city, to Ch0m y0u are
hereby reteJrcd
In justice to the gentlemen who sent me
to Mexico, and in order that they might be
placed in full possession of all these facts
and also to arrange and close up my own
private affairs, | returned to California. and
have made my report to these gentlemen.
/ see no reason why should not remark
here, as is due to canGor, that | am the
friend, personally, of Mr. Gwin friend
ship which | have reason to believei is recip-
rOcated, an | ! would not hesitate to aid
him il any honorable, lawful and legiti-
mate enterprise III which he might be en-
gagged. These being our relations on leav-
ing Mexico, Mr.. Gwin requested of me that
while on my visit to this country, and en-
gagged in the settlement of my business af-
fairs, | would furnish to those desiring it
such information in reference to the French
occupation of northern Mexico as | had
from intercourse with himself and NJ
Montholon possessed myself OF, and in this
connection | have sometimes said, and per
haps written, that | was sent here by DR..
Gwin, intending thereby only to convey
the idea that whatever information | gave
was obtained from sources emitting it to
credit-that is to say, from himself or the
French Minister.
AS before remarked, | came here from
'MeXico 10 settle up my prignte affairs preDdra-
tory to leariRg, and incidentally have. upon
all proper occasions, endeavored to give all
who come to see me, or have written me-
such information in reference to the soil
climate, commercial advantages, govern
ment, etc, as the data with which | was
provided enabled me to do. The business
that brought me here is about concluded.
and | shall be ready TO return by the next
steamer | have not come here TO engage
in anything improper, unlawful or mimi
cal in any degree to This Government. |
have had, and have now, no secrets, and am
ready at all times, and have been, to tell
the military authorities of this coast every
thing that | know in reference to the mat
tiers or reports that | presume provoked
your communication to me of yesterday. /
have the honor General, to be, very re-
specially. your Obedient servant
BARCLAY HENLEY.