.ODM2.NTQ2NzU

persons were here as agents of Dr. Gwin and invited people desirous of going to Mexico to apply to them for information [lined out - and a full account of the objects the Doctor had in view] to them for information. [lined out - I called on both to answer] I required each [lined out - of the persons named] to state whether this was, or not, true. One, in effect, admitted it - The other, Mr. Ridge denied it and called on me in person to account for his presence in this country. He said he was an englishman representing British capitalists and being largely interested in Mexico, was deeply concerned in whatever related to that country and in this way came to know Dr. Gwin both in Paris and in Mexico, and had freely conferred with him in both places. Mr. Ridge's object in coming to Mexico was to obtain a concession to light the city with gas, and one to build a Rail Road to the Pacific He showed me letters confirming his statement. He is a remarkably intelligent man of fine presence, and he impressed me favorably [lined out - as well? as to his candor and as well as to his ab] as being [lined out - a] straightforward and truthful [lined out - man]! He said it was a question, when he was in Paris, how Maximilian was to support his court, government and army and at the same time repay Napoleon the expenses incurred by France in the invasions and conquest of the country! The latter decided the former must have the reserve from the ? ? and he would look to be reimbursed from the resources of the Northern States! which Dr. Gwin had