The Portland daily press., 1897-02-22

Allen, OF Louisiana, ex-Gov. Lymons, OF
Kentucky, and Gen. MoCausland, Of
Virginia. Ex-Gov Isham G. Harris
was also settler. Freighting soon
proved Improbable, and he went to Vera
Cruz, and was fitted out with a vessel and
instructed to sail for Havana in further
ance of the colonization scheme. He
loaded his ship with agricultural nipple
ments exported from America and re-
turned to Mexico. But MACMILLAN
forces were meeting with defeat OIL ev-
cry hand, and Shelby saw that the end
was near At last Macmillan sent fol-
Shelby and asked him how many Ameri-
cans he could summon to bis assistance.
mot corpora Is guard" said the
General. "You are too late.
Referring more particularly to Gen.
Shelby's intercourse with Macmillan In
the winter of 1s66-67, Maj. Edwards
wrote these interesting details:
When Shelby arrived in Mexico the
treasury was empty. Macmillan had
been ruling for year. The French held
everything worth holding. excepting
that Mexican brigsndage ruled and grew.
No effort of the French could stop it,.
Maximilians Marshal, Bazaine, ruled
over the neighborhood that needed only
his shadow to ensure safety.
When the first Mexican station was
reached Gen. Shelby sold his cannon,
and his men took vote the same night
~ doo;do xubfol, of tho ooptandino nor
ties in Mexico they should join. Shelby
was decidedly in favor of joining Juarez,
who led the revolution, well arguing,
with his usual sagacity and foresight,
that the United States would never al
low foreign power to gainIa foothold
on American soil. But his men favored
the imperial party and he allowed him
self to be governed by their wishes. They
crossed the BIO Grande at Eagle Pass aud
entered Mexico. A few days later Shelby
was offered the command of the States Of
Nueva Leone and Coahuila, but the offer
was declined, as his men had joined tho
imperial forces.
Historians say that had Gen. Shelby &C
cepted this position he would in all.proba-
bility have been joined by thousands OF
Confederates whose fortunes were to be
made, and with that force he would have
been able to save Macmillan or might
have become power in Mexico's affairs.
However that may be, Gen. Shelby
and his men had many bloody and
fierce encounter with the brigands that
s,,f ,ofo roaohad the
city of Mexico. One of these was the
rescue and liberation of Inez Walker,
beautiful American who had been edu-
Gated in California. She was seen years
before by Rodriguez, millionaire Span
lard, who took fancy to her and ab-
Quoted her. In the encounter he was
killed, and the American woman received
the protection of Shelny's men.
Shelby offered his services to the En-
peror, but they we've refused. Maxi
milan was not willing to trust the Amer
loans in his organized army. 1t is a
curious fact that Gen. Shelby, when in
terviewing Maximilian's represen tative,
predicted the situation that afterward
befell that 1uckless Emperor.
When Shelby gathered his men about
him and announced the decision of the
Emperor, he said: eve are not wanted,
and perhaps it is best SO. Those who
have fought as you have for principle
have nothing to gain in war of con-
quest. / stand ready to abide your de-
cision in the matter Of our destiny. If
you say we shall march to the headquar-
tiers of Juarez, then we will march. You
the military with a reign of death.
Suspected men were shot every where,
without the formality of trial. Maxi
milan was displeased. His heart was
with the Mexicans, and he demonstrated
with the Marshal, but to no purpose, and
finally there was an estrangement.
Shelby saw all these things. and
planned an interview with the Emperor.
Commodore Maury and Gen. Magruder
arranged it for him, and Macmillan met
him with evident frankness and sin
certify.
The Marshal was present and Count de
Noue as interpreter. Shelby's plans, as
he laid then, before tie Emperor, were to
take immediate service in the empire,
recruit a corps of 10000 Americans. en-
courage immigration, develop the re-
sources of the count ry, consolidate the
government against the W withdrawal of
the French soldiers, and hold it till the
people became reconciled to tie change.
The Emperor simply listened with in
terest, and that was all.
"It is only question of time, ycur
Majesty" said Gen. Shelby, ''till the
French soldiers are withdrawn"
Bazaine smiled a..little, and the En-
peror asked: "Why do you think so?"
because, said Gen. Shelby. "the war
between the States Ia at an end, and Mr..
Seward will insist on a rigorous enforce
ment of the Monroe doctrine. France
does not desire conflict with the United
States. l left behind me 1000, 900 men
in arms. not one of whom has yet been
discharged form the service. The nation
is sore over this occupation, and the pre-
sence of the French is perpetual men,
ace. The matter of which I have spoken
to you is perfectly feasible. have au-