Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-08

d
Seward. and how the author of Ben Hur
was sent on a secret diplomatic mission
to the struggling Mexican republic. The
four years ago. when it was disclosed in
a personal letter from Gen. Lew Wallace to
President Diaz of Mexico.
The records In the War Department show
that in 1864 Gen. Wallace was in COM
mand at Baltimore. and while holding that
command was detached, with orders to
proceed to Texas to inspect the post on
the American side of the Rio Grande river.
AT the time 1T was looked upon by those
Tot IL the secret a mission simply to get
rid of Wallace. Maxiniiliian was seeming
ly well established on his new throne, while
the representatives of the Mexican republic
were fugitives, hiding in the mountain
caves and among the chapparal. The troops
of the republic were treated as brigands by
the imperialists and French. Secretary
Seward had contented himself in protest.
ing to Napoleon against usurpation of
American territory, and was opposed, to
any positive steps which might by any
possibility involve us in a war with France,
or give that government any pretext to
acknowledge the southern confederacy and
thus complicate our affairs. The United
states had declined to recognize MaxiInil-
Romero, the representative OF the strug-
Cling republic. 1901, -.s. -.I-...,;y : /
OF the occasion of his secret mission, Gen.
wallace. in his letter to President Diaz.
In 1864 Gen. u. S. Grant foresa W the
collapse OF the southern confederacy and
thought 1T not impossible that the adher-
ents of the lost cause might in large
bodies and with their arms, cross the Rio
iranee and join the imperalists of Mex
leo. In that event he saw a possible ne
cessity for the government of which he
was the ablest and most successful SOL
der following them. He also foresaw the
enormous cost of such a movement, since
besides an indefinite continuance of the
war In which We were then engaged, it
would certainly lead to hostilities with
France. Gen. Grant was more than a
sagacious soldier; he was just and gen.
erouS statesman, especially scrupulouS
where the pride of friendly nation was
concerned, as Will be seen in the course he
decided to take. He was then at City
Point. where he was conducting operations
against the confederate capital while l, as
major general commanding the middle di-
vision and eighth army CORPS was at my
headquarters at Baltimore. state Of Mary
land. He sent me note to come and see
him. After repeated interviews he gave me
an order in writing. which was at liberty
to make public. directing me to go to Bra
EOS Santiago, an island near the mouth Of
the Rio Grande. and inspect the federal
post IN the American side OF that river.
our only post. the rest. from the mouth Of
the river to Brownsville, thence northward,
being In possession Of the enemy, will con-
firm the statement that the public order
was but cover for something of greater
importance,
A Secret Interview.
The letter then recites that Mr.. Lincoln
and Secretary Stanton accepted the views
Of Gen. Grant and agreed with him that the
time had cCme in our own interests, as
we'll as those Of Mexico, to help Juarez, at
least privately, and that the President and
War Secretary gave Gen. Wallace his final
Instructions. which were kept concealed
from Seward His Instructions were that
upon arriving at Brazos Santiago he was
to put himself in communication with the
nearest reliable representative Of the lib
eral government of Mexico and ascertain
what it's authorities were willing to do II
confederate troops crossed the Rio Grande
in armed bodies to unite themselves with
Maximilian. If he found they were will
ing to arrest them he was to ascertain
what they required in the way Of material
assistance to carry out such policy. II
they only required arms and war material
he was to help provide them.
Gen. Wallace at once proceeded to San
tiago. On his arrival he found the whole
left bank of the Rio Grande in possession
of the confederates, while the right bank
was held and patrolled by the forces of
MaXimillian. He soon found an agent who
lean officer, was, and who agreed to carry
a note to him. The note was cautiously
worded and simply stated that the Next
can general might find it to his interest to
visit BraZos while Wallace was there. The
messenger found Carvajal in the mountains
with about 300 men, whom he was drilling
and exercising with bows and arrows. hav-
ing no firearms. Carvajal accepted the in
vitation and visited BraZos, passing through
the French lines, disguised as Texas cat
tie buyer. He had with him a document
constituting him commissioner, with high
powers, on the part of the Mexican repub-
lic He assured Wallace that in case arm
ed confederates attempted to cross into
Mexico lis government would do all in its
power t. arrest them and prevent their
| joining the imperialists.
Wallace then suggested that Carvajal
visit the United States and have an inter-
| view with President Lincoln. On this point
| the letter of Gen. Wallace says: "At once
/ proposed that he should accompany me
| to the United States. He said he could not
| abandon his men. I replied that his chief
| duty was TO his whole country He said he
| had no clothes. 1 offered to furnish them.
Such a commission would be expensive and
| he had no money. offered to set him
| down at the door Of his legation at WASH
| ington. after which. in concert with Min
| lister Romero. he could Issue bonds and
raise funds and purchase whatever might
| be needed to advance his country's cause
Finally, upon a promise that l would as
sist in placing the loan and making the
purchases, he yielded to my opportunities,
and as there was a steamer in the bay
specially at my orders. l gave him a state
room and passage across the gulf When
set him down in Washington, outside the
| legation, nobody, except Gen. Grant Sacre-
| tary Stanton and President Lincoln, knew
| of his arrival or Of how he came"
War Material Secured. .s.,-.,
Gen. Carvajal remained in this country
for some time. endeavoring to float his bonds
and purchase arms and munitions of war,
but without success. During the time
JCarez kept up a sort of desultory warfare
in Chihuahua, the only state left to him,
all the rest of Mexico being overrun by the
French. They were dark days for the
Mexican liberals but such patriots as
Romero, Carvajal DiaZ Juarez and others
did not despair. Every effort was made in
this country to float bonds and purchase
the supplies eeded, but in vain. Finally
Wallace suggested to the Mexican repre-
sentati, es the employment of Gen Her
man Sturm of Indiana. To illustrate the
desperate condition of Mexican affairs at
that time, the following extract from a let
ter of Gen. Carvajal is given: -.- 49,,
Two facts alone almost crush us. Our
enemy is the most powerful In the world
and actually holds our cities and the ports