The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-21
AFFAIRS ON THE La PLATA.

.
We have great pleasure in laying before our read
ers the following eopions and authentic account Of
the history and present state Of the relations OF the
Argentine republic, and the Banda Oriental Of Uru-
quay. This account given by eyewitness OF the
operations which he describes. The information
which it contains the events which have taken
place in those regions, may be, we think, in every
material respect entirely relied on The writer, il will
be observed, is inclined to state very strongly-per-
haps to oversiate--the advantages TO our commerce
which likely to result from the separate political
existence of Uruguay; and he deems the armed in
teryention of the allied powers however unwarrant-
ed in ITSELF conducive such result. The sound
ness of THAT opinion may well be questioned. Blu,
we forbear from further comment till tomorrow,
when we shall publish the remainder of the ar
ticle. ao.qa
NOTES REMARKS. AND OCCURRENCES,
In relation to the present pars beiWeen the Argentine
and Banda Oriental republics.
In order TO understand the present political situa-
ton of the Banda Oriental the and probable
results of the now carrying on, 1t will be ne
cessary to recapitulate, as briefly as may be, the
principal events in which this country has been en-
gagged and interested, during the last fifteen years
SO far at least, as they bear upon the present posi-
ton of affairs.
This country (the Banda Oriental) was first raised
into an independent republic in the year 1923, on
the conclusion OF the war between Brazil and Bue-
nos Ayres by the mediation Of Great Britain,
which guaranteed such independence, and freedom
from all interference the part of those two pow
ers for term of years.
Fructuoso Riviera was chosen President: and it
was about this time that the luminosity against him
first broke out on the part of General Rosas, who
had assembled to power in Buenos Ayres.
In order to put down all opposition TO the federal
party of which he was the head, he took the
Of banshing from Buenos Ayres all the partisans Of
the previous government-who had been styled
"Unitarians," from having placed all the provinces
under one central government. 1t may, however,
be here remarked, that these two names are still
given to the political parties in question. The diff
erences between them rather personal than con-
nected with any abstract ideas of the form of gov
eminent.
Many Of these Uniarians took refuge here; upon
which General Rosas, fearing their proximity, at
tempted to arrange with General Riviera their entire
expulsion from the Banda Oriental. On this occa-
sion, and this only, autograph letters passed be-
tween these partes but, the attempted negotiation
having been unsuccessful, and Riviera having con.
tnued to allow the refugees to remain in the enjoy
ment of all the immunities of other foreign immi-
grants, from that time personal enmity has existed
between Rosas and Riviera, and which has aug.
mented in high degree.
In the years 1882 and 1893, Rosas promoted in
surrectionary movements, under General Lavallaja,
against the government Of Riviera which were put
down.
When Riviera was elected President, he made
Don Manuel Oribe his captain Of the port and this
may be considered his (Oribe's) first entrance into
public life. When the attempted revolution of La
vallnja was in project, Orbe was implicated in II;
I,t ar, hreo kn0 ont he was ind,tced m helieve
that his interests might be more greatly benefited by
returning to his duty.
After this revolution was suppressed, he was APP
pointed minister of war; and, the expiration of
the first presidency, in 1885, he elected to sue
coed, mainly by the influence Of Riviera exerted in
his favor-which would have been quite sufficient to
prevent his appointment, if it had been directed
General Rosas, however, took advantage of the
opportunity, and sent an accredited minister to the
new government--with which he had better success
than had been the case with its predecessor.
The Buenos Ayreans most inimical to Rosas
were imprisoned or banished; all periodicals and
other publications Of tendency to oppose the views
of Rosas were prohibited, and plan projected by
his emissary for the confederation of the Banda ORR
entail with the Argentine provinces WINS seconded,
and prepared for ultimate completion by Oribe's
minister for home and foreign affairs, Don Pedro
Leambi
The national party took alarm, and made several
earnest and vehement circumstances against the
measure; and, in the middle of 1886, Riviera, whom
Orbe had attempted TO deprive of his situation as
commanderin-chief in the interior, openly declared
against the constituted authorities, and, placing him
self at the head of those disaected towards the gov
eminent, obtained possession of the whole country,
except the towns Of Montevideo and Paysander, to
both of which he laid siege about the months of Au-
gust and September, 1888. On the 23d of October
Of the same year, Oribc made formal remuneration
r. l.: hto he
convinced that his remaining was the only obsta-
Gle to the peace and tranquility of the country"
This was accepted by the Chambers, bya formal
decree.
1t must be remembered that Oribe was in entire
possession Of the government, and in receipt Of all
the revenues, until his own act thus put period to
his authority.
He subsequently sailed for Buenos Ayres, and
for some time appeared to have retired into private
life One Of his first acts, however, after leaving
Montevdeo, was to enter formal protest against
the validity of his renuncation being extored by
force, Notwithstanding that il had been made when
no force but his own existed in Montevideo.
Il must also be borne in mind, that the project for
confederating the Banda Oriental with the Argentine
provinces was not carried through by the govern
ment of Oribe who consequently received but little
assistance from Rosas in aid of his civil against
Riviera. The latter was subsequently elected Presi-
dent second time, and was induced by the French
tncIc ConuucuiIS oioehuuc VI DuchoS
Ayres, to form an alliance with them, and subse-
quently TO take the very impolitic step Of formally
declaring war against Buenos Ayres, on the grounds
that General Rosas had nterfered directly in the
previous civil war, by supplying oribe with arms
and ammunition, and by firing upon Riviera's forces
from his vessels in the river Uruguay, and ultimate
y by landing body Of troops, under Boenos Ay-
rean colors. at "Paysander," before that town had
yielded TO Riviera.
The blockade was removed, and peace made with
the French in November, 1910; but nothing was
done about the auxiliary war declared by Riviera,
who was thus left to his own resources, and the
effects of the folly that they (he French) had urged
him to commit.
In the mean time, Rosas began TO pay much atten-
ton 10 Oribe, who entered his service as general Of
his forces, and assumed the title of legal President
of the Uruguay State; such legality arising from
the effect OF the protect before mentioned i was
generally believed that il had been arranged, that
soon as he had concluded the wars more particular
ly pressing upon the attention Of Rosas at the mo-
ment, against his enemies upon his eastern from
az. he hut hoR A