JECKER, zhe-kftr', JEAN BAPTISTE (c.1810 71). A Swiss banker, whose difficulties with the Mexican Government are said to have been one of the causes which led to the French interven tion. lie was born at Porrentruy, in the Canton of Bern. About 1836 be went to Paris, where he entered the banking house of Hottinguer. His brother, who had achieved considerable fame as a physician in Mexico, persuaded him to emi grate to that country, and there he founded a bank which soon grew to be of the first impor tance. In 1859 President Miramon confided to it the conversion of the domestic debt, for which Jecker charged an enormous commission; but President Juarez refused to recognize the agree ment which had been made by his predecessor. Jecker had further obtained from the Govern ment authority to explore Sonora and Lower California; but in spite of this the members of his surveying parties were expelled from the territories. When Napoleon III. decided to intervene in Mexican affairs, Jeeker ceded to the French Government for 10,000,000 francs all his rights in Sonora. In 1861 the Mexican
Government acknowledged its indebtedness to Jecker, which was fixed at 27.703,770 francs. In order to secure prompter payment, he con sented that this sum should be reduced to 22, 660.000 francs, and should be paid in three in stallments. the first, of 7.660.000 francs, on Oc tober 15. 1865; the second, of 5,000.000 francs, on December 15th; and the third. of 10.000.000 francs, on February 15, 1866. The first two in stallments were paid. but Maximilian refused to authorize the third. for this arrangement, besides being disastrous to the Mexican treasury, also compromised that of France. Marshal Ba zaine was at first accused of having been con cerned in this notorious transaction, but suc ceeded in proving that it had been conducted by the French mission, aided by the French Lega tion, and with the approval of Maximilian's Cabi net. Decker returned to France. was arrested by the Commune in 1871. and shot on May 26th.