Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-11-09
From the Londoa Morning Chronicls.
pARAGIJAY.


situated on tho river Parana, between
Peru. Chill aud Brazil, and compre-
bending all those immense and luxuri-
ant tracts of land which stretch Esstand
West from Beazil, nearly as far as the
Andes mountains, ID divided into six
depar. ments, viz. Santiago, Conception,
YlIiareal, Curuguatia, Candelaris, and
Assumption. This valuable portion
OF country, constituting the heart Of
South America, and rendered memo
sabie by the labours Of the Jesuits and
tho writings of Charlevoix, Muratorl
end A cora, has always been represent
I'D as q perfect garden, and the inhabi.
aants as the happiess raeein the whole
Southern hemisphere. Paraguay was
always considered the most Important
provics of the former Viceroyalty of
La Plata, and hence it was long the ca
pital, before Buenos Ayres was made
the seat of Government. The princi.
pal port and capital is the city of As
som ption. it has, however. Numerous o.
{ or harbors, formed by the several RI.
yers which unite In the Majestic Para.
ma. and afterwards swell the waters OF
abe River Plate.
In the above extent of fertile terrific
~. the Parsguaysns unite nearly all
she productions OF the Universe. aud
sboss of Brazil, the Philippine Islands
and Cuba, are particularly suited to
aheir climate. Their productions are
rich and various, and their forests q.
bound with valuable woods, gums and
rcsins, entirely unknown IN the mar
ksss Of Eor pc. Their principal com.
merce has hitherto been in tobacco and
Paraguay tea---a herb 10 general use
throughout all the neghborins States,
and consequently 10 great demand -
Cotton, hides, indigo, sugar, tallow.
dragons blood and cinnamon, are also
among the productions OF Paraguay
Rats Of timber for the consumption OF
Boenos Ayres, and used for ship build.
ing, are brought down the rivers. The
country aboupds in cattle, aud 10 inter-
sected by several of the finest rivers IN
America, and studded with lakes. A.
midst the general was'e ADD destruction
occasionsd by the wars in the herds.
which formerly were SO sbuDdant In the
contiguous provinces, those OF the "a.
raguayans alone have been preserved
and increased. Most of the grains
known 10 Europe are successfully ra's-
cd 10 Paraguay. besides a variety OF ma
tive ones. Fruits of various kinda are
abundant. so that the inhabitants live
at ease, with few wants. surrounded ey
plenty. aod In the possession OF q coun-
Cry that has always been represented as
the Arcadia Of the New World.
The inhabi.ants of Paraguay, as
coon as the Disturbances commenced
10 Spain. iD 1903 watched the oonse-
uucncss those ssddeD changes were
likely to produce upon the other por
lions of the continent TO which they be
longed Influenced by the just princ,.
pies of self-preservstion, and unatteHd.
ed by the smallest political commotion,
q meeting of the principal inhabi'ants
was convened and assembled, when
their situasioo was fairly laid before
tl,em, and discussed, and upwards of
one Thousand Deputies unanimously de.
Olaredrin favor of total Independence,
and, as il were, political seciusion, In
which state they have remained ever
since. They further resolved that the
government shonld be cOntdsd to that
person among them, who, from his Wit.
tues and knowledge, should be found
most deserving OF the puoi'c com oence;
but,in order TO avoid the conflict OF TWO
parties. headed by two individuals. o.
auslly entitled to this distinction, they
determined to elect DIR. FrsDcia ana NJ.
Yegros, Joint Governors. These TWO
s,etsops. for some time, administered
shs affairs of Paraguay jointly. each
having separate district, aud com
manding an equal force, till the incon-
yenience Of this plan was felt. and the
ascendance of DIR. Francls having, Ia
she meanwhile, increased, at a second
meeting of the inhabitants, he WAS eject
ed sole governors command ne
S,ss held ever since. revered and below
Cd by the people.
From the peculiar traits Of eharac.
tar DR., Francia has since evinced, il is
evident he sought to exercise the su-
preme command from no interesting
ambitious view. Gradually Dc. f. has
consolidated his power, and without any
of the appendagss oe expenses of stase
be EXERCISES the duties OF first magis>
trate. &.his orders are obeyed through
e.t the whole territory the instant they