The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-04-22


large freight contractor. Among those
in the colony with him were Gen. Ster-
ling Price, Gen. Stephens of Lees staff,
Gov. Reynolds, eX-Gov. Allen of Lou
isiana. eX-Gov. Lyons of Kentucky and
Gen. McCausland of Virginia. ExGOv.
Isham G. Harris was also Il settler.
Freghting soon proved unprofitabie
and he went TO Vera Cruz, and was
fitted out with 4 vessel and instructed
to sail for Havana in furtherance of
the colonization scheme. He loaded his
ship with agricultural implements eX-
ported from America and returned to
Mexico. But MaXimilian's forces were
meeting with defeat on every hand.
and Shelby saw that the end was near.
At last Macmillan sent for Shelby and
asked him how many Americans he
could summon to his assistance.
"'Not cOrpOrars 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:
"Wh2n Shelby arrived in Mexico the
treasury was empty. MaXimilian had
been ruling for year. The French
held everything worth holding, except
ing that Mexican brigandage ruled and
grew No effort of the French could
stop it. MaXimiian's Marshal, Ba-
zaine, ruled the military with Il reign
of death. Suspected men We're shot
everywhere, without the formality Of
trial. Maximilian 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 Emper-
or. Commodore Maury and General
Magruder arranged it for him, and
Maximilian met him with evident
frankness and sincerity.
''The marshal was uresent and Count
de NOue was interpreter. Shelby's
plans, as he laid them before the En-
peror, were to take immediate service
in the empire, recruit corps of 10000
Americans, encourage immigration, de-
velop the resources of the country, con-
solidate the Government against the
withdrawal of the French soldiers. and
hold it till the people became reconciled
TO the change.
The Emperor simply listened with in
terest, and that was all.
"'It is only question of time. your
Majesty said General Shelby, till the
French soldiers art withdrawn.
"Bazaine smiled Il little, and the En-
peror asked: Why do you think so?'
Because said General Shelb;, Tie
war between the states is at an end,
and Mr.. Seward will insist on a rigor-
Gus enforcement of the Monroe doc
trine. France does not desire Il con
ilict with the United States. / left
behind me 100000 men in arms. not
one Of whom has yet been discharged
from the service. The nation is sore
over this occupation, and the presence
OF the French is Il perpetual menace.
The matter of which have spoken to
You is perfectly feasible. have author
ity for saying that the American Gov
crnment would not be ayerse to the
enlistment Of as many soldiers in your
army us might wish to take service,
and the number need only be limited
by the exigencies of the empire. |
think it absolutely necessary that you
should have corps of foreign soldiers
devoted to you personally, and reliable
in any emergency
Commodore Maury and General Ma
gruder sustained Shelby's views of the
case. and he went on:
1 have under my command at pres
ent about 1000 tried and experienced
soldiers. All of them have seen much
severe and actual service. and all of
them are anxious to enlist in support
of the empire. With your permission,
and authorized in your name to in
crease my forces, / can in a few
months make good all these promises
have made you here to-day
But the Emperor was silent. Aris-
ing, he talked in an aside with De
Neue and went.
1T is no use said De Noue to Shell |
by, after the Emperor had left the
room, the Emperor is firm on the point |
of diplomacy. He means to try negO-
tiations and correspondence with the !
United States. His sole desire is to |
give the MeXicaps good government, |
lenient yet restraining laws, and to |
develop the country and educate the |
ha H. MI,
with native troops. He is an enthusi- |
asst, and reasons from the heart in |.
stead of from the head. He will not |
succeed. he does not understand the |
people over whom he rules, nor any of |
the dangers which beset him. 1t is no |
use, General, the Emperor viii not give |
you employment
81 knew it, said Shelby, from his |
and l say to you in all !
frankness Macmillan will fail in his
He will not have time to
work the problem out. JaureZ lives as
surely in the hearts of the people as
the snow is eternal on the brow of |
and ere an answer could
come from Seward to the Emperor's
of State the Emperor will |
have no Minister of State
History now tells how true was
Shelby in his spoken Judgment. When
the struggle came that Shelby had so
bluntly and plainly predicted Maximil-
ian was in the midst of 100000 saw
ages without an army, scarcely Il
guard, abandoned, deserted and be-
trayed.
AS Mayimilian heard the news of
defeat after defeat he turned to the
and sent for Shelby, who
was then at Cordova, and Shelby. faint
at heart, answered Immediately and
presented himself before the Emperor
The interview WAS brief and almost
sad.
How many Americans are there in
the country? the Emperor asked.
"'Not enough for Il corporars guard
said Shelby, frankly. and the few who
nre left cannot be utilized. Your Ma