Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-16
Esoa TIE Londsn .Uotn.ng- Chronicle.
s.+t PARAGUAY

PARAGUAY.
The independent State of Paraguay, situated
IN the river Parana, between Peru, Chill, and
Erazil, and comprehending all those immense
and luxuriaut tracts of land which stretch east
and west from Brazil, nearly as far as the Andes
mountains, is divided into six departments, viz:
Santiago, Conception, Vellereal, Curuguatia,-
and Assumption. This valuable portion of coun-
try, constituting the heart of South America,
and rendered memorable by the labours of the
Jesuits, and the writings of Charlevoix, Mura-
tori and Azora, has always been represented as
"A perfect garden, and the inhabitants as the
happest race in the whole Southern hemisphere.
Paraguay was always considered the most inn
portant province of the former Viceroyalty of
La Plate; and, hence, 1t was long the ca
pital, before Buenos Ayres was made the seat of
Government. The principal port and capital is
the city of Assumption; it has, however, numer-
GUS other harbours, formed by the several rivers
which unite in the majestic Parana, and after
wards swell the waters of the River Plate.
In the above extent of fertile territory, the
Paraguayans unite nearly all the productions of
the universe, and those of Brazil, the Philippine
Islands, and Cuba, are particularly suited their
climate. Their productions are rich and vari.
Gus, and their fore SITS abound with valuable
woods, gums and resins, entirely unknown i'll
the markets of Europe. Their principal COM
merce has hitherto been in tobacco s. Paraguay
tca--an herb in general use throughout all the
neighbouring States, and consequently, in great
demand. Cotton, hides, indigo, sugar, taIlow,
dragons hood, and cinnamon, are also among
| the productions of Paraguay. Rats of timber
! for the consumption of Buenos Ayres, and used
for ship building, are brought down the river.
The country abounds in cattle, and is intersect-
ed by several of the finest rivers in America,
and studded with lakes. Amidst the general
waste and destruction, occasioned by the wars,
IN the herds which formerly were abundant
In the contiguous provinces, those of the Para
guayans alone have been preserved and incrcas-
ed. Most of the grains known i'm Europe are
successfully raised in Paraguay, besides vari-
ETY. of native ones. Fruits Of various kinds are
abundant, that the inhabitants 1--we at ease,
with few wants, surrounded by plenty, and in
the possession ola country that has always been
represented as the Arcadia of the New World.
The inhabitants of Paraguay, as soon rs the
disturbances commenced in Spain, in 1908,
watched the consequences those sudden chan
ges were likely to produce upon the other por
tons of the continent to- which they belonged
Influenced by the Just principles of self preserva-
ton, and unattended by the smallest political
commotion, a meeting of the principal inhabi-
tauts was convened and assembled, when their
situation was fairly laid before them, and dis
cussed, and upwards of one Thousand deputies
unanimously declared in favour Of a total indie
pendcnce, and, as it were political seclusion i'm
winch state they have remained ever since
they resolved that the government should be
conhdcd to that person among them, who from
his virtues and knowledge, should be found
most deserving of public confidence; but, in or
der TO avoid the conflict of two parties, headed
by two men, equally entitled TO this distinction.
they determined to elect DIR. Francia and Nj.
fegros, joint Governors. These two persons.
for some time, administered the affairs of Para
quay, Jointly, each having separate district,
and commanding an equal force; till the incon-
venience of this plan was felt, and the as
tendance of DR.. Francia having, in the mean
while, increased, at a second meeting of the in
habitants, he was elecled sole governor-a com
mand he has held ever since, reyered and no.
loved by the people.
From the peculiar traits of character DIR.
Francia has since evinced, it isevident he sought
to exercise the supreme command from no in
terest or ambitious views. Gradually DIR. F.
has consolidated his power, and without any of
the appendages or expenses ofstate, he exercises
the duties of first magistrate, and his orders are
obeyed throughout the whole territory the in
slant they are received. Justice is the guido.
and he derives no emolument from his admins
tration. He sees to every thing himself; pur-
chases the clothing aud arms for the militia,
settles disputes, grants passports, and, in short
supeTintends each department of government
every thing being conducted on the most simple.
and economical scale He has no favorites-no
enemies--and, by flair and impartial demeanor,
he stands unimpeached in the opinions of his fell
low cnuntrymen, after governing them for a
number of years.
Emigrants have flocked tIither from Corri-
entis, Tucuman and Buenos Ayres; but more
particularly from the Eastern bank of the River
Plata at the time 1T was dissolved by .9ytirns
who eventually fell into the hands of the Paragu-
ayans, by whom lie is still kept prisoner.
These fugitives having found secure Iasylum,
adopted the habits of their benefactors, and de-
voted thci0s+'TeSs 70 Tue pursuits of Industry
oy this means, and the advantages of peace and
irregular mode of life, the population of Para
quay has increased in a manner unexampled
According to the last census, taken i'm the year
1922, the population of Paraguay amounted to
upwards of 100000 souls. They have 10000
armed militia, occasionally exercised, and only
called into the field in case of an external at
tack.
The Paraguayans, fearful that the influx of
strangers might be injurious, consented to the
privation of external trade, & zeaously devoted
themselves to the internal improvement of their
growing republic. All the surplus revenue was
laid out TO advantage.-The idle hands were en-
plyed IN opening roads, making bridges, and other
useful works, and the few slaves the country nos
sessed were gradually freed, without any loss to
their owners. Public liberty is well regulated;
yet the printing of political works has been dis
couraged until the people shall be better garded
IN substantial knowledge, aud removed from the
backward state in which they were when thew
entered on this political career. So readily did
the inhabitants submit 10 these priyations that
ouriog the hrst nine years not single letter
lett the country outihaving been firstlnspect-
ed by the Chief Magistrates fact pcrleotIv
well authenticated.