Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-02-26

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AFFAIRS ON THE RIVER
PLATA.
It is now several months since the
English and French have, by their
meddling in the affairs of The countries
bordering on the river Plata, complete
y destroyed and annihIlaled the lucra-
tive commerce of the United States
with those countries, and there is every
appearance that the war will yet con-
,inue for some time, to the great det-
rsment 81 neutrals. According TO the
last intelligence from La Plata, Tie
European allies, with the wealth Of
England and France at their disposal,
have lavished it with no unsparing
hand, but without success, in every
direction, 10 purchase proselytes to
their unholy cause. A large combined
squadron to sustain ii have only been
enabled TO capture one or two small
towns Immediately on the river, but
which were defended by their patriotic
inhabitants with that indomiab!e valor,
which SO highly distinguished the in
habitants Of old Spain in defending
their homes against the numerous ar
mics of Napoleon. In this country we
are too apt to confound all the South
Americans with the Mexicans; but the
race which inhabits the Argentine
Confederation and the republic of Urn-
quay is of the pure, unmixed Spanish
blood; whilst the Mexicans are in a
great measure mixed up with all colors,
and but very little ofthe pure Spanish
blood exists among them.
The energy and irmness of the Ar,
gentines are well known TO every one
who has ever been among them; no
people more devoted TO their country
than the people Of that confederation;
and tina, extraordinary man who is at
their head, General Rosas,) has, by
his frmness and decision of character,
preserved in great degree, during
the last fifteen years, peace and tram
guilty throughout the whole interior
of the country. Before the reins Of
government were conided to his hands,
i, was highly dangerous TO travel even
two miles outside Of the city of Bueaos
Ayres; bu, since he has risen to the
head of the government, the passenger
may travel with the utmost security
from one extremity TO the other o! the
immense territories otthe confederation.
General Rosas will not yield in the
Slightest degree to The unjust demands
Of the English and French, and the pa
,rlo,iSm Of the Argenlines viii sustain
him against the coalition Of those two
European powers.
Is itnot noble spectacle 10 see
nation of only two millions Of inbabi-
tants, maintaining at every hazard its
liberties and its rights against the two
most powerful nations of Europe, with
that devotion which always distin-
gnishes freemen' We cannot despair
Of their ultimate triumph. We even
hope the most favorable results from
that apparently unequal contest; forpa-
triotism, and freedom from European
control and dictaton, make up for ma
ny Deficiencies and I'VE trust must even
,ually triumph over the combined eff
forts Of European monarchies.
e. 1t appears by the last accounts that
Oribe, the President of the republic OF
Uruguay, has directed the English and
French residents in that republic TO
retire from its coasts, and proceed into
the interior, so that they can have no
communication with the English and
French fleets engaged in the nnholy
effort Of destroying the liberties Of the
two republics Of Uruguay, and Of The
Argentine Confederation. This firm
and necessary course ofGeneral Oribe,
in sending into the interior the subjects
Of those two European powers, has
been followed BY no unnecessary mea-
sures; for it is understood from good
authority, that President Orbe has not
con6scated single cent Of the proper
ty Of these persons. II IS merely a.