St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-09
GRANT GAVE INSTRUCTIONS.
How He Checkmated the Plans of DR..
Gwin While in Mexico.
The Arch-Traitor's Wings Clipped in
Very Prompt Manner.

NEW YORK. Nov. s.-The following let
ter from Lieut.. Gen. Grant to Maj. Gen.
Mcdowell, cautioning him concerning move
ments of DR.. Gwin and giving him instruc-
tons with reference to any hostile move
ments to be undertaken against the United
States from the Mexican state of Sonora. is
now published for the first time.
Headquarters Armies of the United States,
City Point, Va, Jan. s, 1965.-Major GEN
eral L Mcdowell Comm anding Department of
the Pacific-General: 1t is known that DR..
Gwin, former United States senator from
California, has gone to Mexico and taken SER
vice under the MAMMALIAN government. 1t
is understood also that he has been appointed
governor general of Sonora. The doctor is
rebel Of the most virulent order. His being
formerly a resident of California and now
getting to that state in Mexico, bordering on
the state of his former residence, 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 Or
ganiZe them and invade the state? l write
without having discussed this question with
any one to put you on your guard against
what believe to be great danger. Watch
this matter closely and should you find these
apprehensions well founded prepare to meet
them. You will find no difficulty in raising
any number of volunteers that may be nee
essary in California to repel an invasion of the
state Especially will this be the case when
the invasion comes from country with
which we are at peace. In an event like the
one alluded to I would not rest satisfied with
simply driving the invader ON to Mexican soil,
but would pursue him until overtaken and
would retain possession of the territory from
which the invasion started, until indemnity
for the past and
SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE
satisfactory to the government was insured.
This letter. which may have to to be regarded
as instructions for your guidance is written
entirely without knowledge OF what the presi-
dent would advise in case of invasion of
our territory from that of Mexico, but with a
conviction that it is right and just. The case
supposed is q very different one from those
that have occurred starting from Can
ada. In the latter case rebels
have fitted out for invasion of our northern
frontier upon Canadian soil, secretly and
without knowledge of Canadian authorities.
In the threatened invasion it will be that of
officials or usurpers of the government 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 ex-
igency contemplated calls for action on your
part. when it will be regarded as Instructions
for your guidance in the the absence of more
recent orders. Very respectfully, your
OpellGQt SERVANT, w. OEhit, ueQt0Ualt gen.
eral
Mr.. Henry B. Mcdowell, son of Gen.
Mcdowell, gives out the following:
There was no doubt in Gen. McDowells
mind, even before he received Gen. Grant
remarkable letter, that Napoleons intent to
effect something positive for France was
combined with the desire of putting a mega
tive on the United States It was precisely
because of DR.. OWNS known connection
with the Confederates, and especially those
of California, that he was chosen as the per-
son best suited TO attract an immigration or
emigration of our enemies and plant upon
our frontier a people
HOSTILE TO OUR INSTITUTIONS
our influence and our progress. These were
Gen. McDOwelrs sentiments, land they were in
direct accordance with the principles an
nounced b., Napoleon in his letter to Gen.
Forey, in which he speaks of staying the
progress and influence of the United States
over the continent. Gen. Mcdowell
was much gratifed by the receipt of
Gen. Grant letter. The condition of affairs
in California was much disturbed. Only
those persons in California at the time, per-
haps, can recall the difficulties he experienced
in keeping order in a state whose loyalty was
so much aud so long in question. The legis-
lature came within an ace of declaring for
the Confederacy. The army at one tune was
believed in danger of being betrayed, and the
press. encouraged by the apparent weakness
of the Northern cause, was continually fer
menting disorder and melting rebellion.
Under these circumstances DR.. OWNS move
mcnts were necessarily such as to awaken