Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02
THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY,
SINCE THE DEATH OF THE DICTATOR FRANCIA

i
The published accounts in language of the Republic Of
Paraguay bring only the year 1925. Since them we
have learned nothing from contradictory newspaper ac
counts giving not vague idea Of the richest portion Of
the American continent inhabited by people cordial and SEN
be In the extreme conasted with their neghbors of
mon ancestry and not only ardenty DESTROYS fully capa
Bile OF playing their own part among the nations of the world
Neither the general ignorance concerning this country nor
ne absence OF all interest IN us affairs among ought be
wondered at when we consider that the few years elapsed
since the death of the Dictator Don Jose Casper de Fanca
and the generally engrossing topics Of public affairs nearer
home, have not permitted that attention be devoted to them
which their growing importance demands. Now, however,
peculiar aspect presented by the nations of Eastern South
America the intervention of the English and French Cabi
in the affairs Of the La Plata and the sudous system of
deception pactced by the mendacous press Buenos Ayes
render incumbent those Americans who the
OF accurate information to speak the world Of what they
know and have themselves.
The advantages of the present writer derived from his
residence at the capital Of Paraguay in official capacity
during portion of the year 1885, previous which time
he is not that any citizen of the United States had ever
visited it. And is his object in the present communication
to give his readers condensed statement of its condition from
the year 1910 the period of his departure which he pro-
poses to add his impressions Of the policy our own Co.
venmen towards that rising people, and of the important
suits likely to ensue. If just and liberal views in their behalf
should happily prevail.
The vast territory formerly known by the appeaon of Pa
agury comprised all that portion of South America which
bounded the north by the provinces Of Sanca Cruz
della Sierra and Chacas in l6o south latitude on the south
by the Straits Of Magellan by Brazil on the east and by
Chill and Peru on the west. But the country now dsn-
guhed by that entirely contsined within the shores
Of the Paraguay and Parana rivers from underlined boun-
dairy with Brazil in about l7o south latitude their juno
ton in 27o south latitude. The maps of these regions are
maniesly Incorrect compared with those of the better
known portions of the world still they sufficient give
correct geographical idea TO the student of the
channels of these noble rivers The Rio do la Plata formed
by the confluence of the Uruguay with the Parana from
thence to the is remarkable for its great breadth and
shallow waters.
Though the Rio de la Plata discovered by John de
Solos, the great pilot of CASTLE in 1885, yet he no
Their exploration In the year 1926 Sebastian Cabot sailed
from Span and proceeded the river Parana its junction
with the Paraguay, without attempting make any perma-
nent settlement The site Of the city of Buenos Ayres was
selected by Don Pedro de Mendoza in 1885, but abandoned
the following chiefly account of the struggling cond
ton OF the infant colony deemed much exposed
to the attacks of the Portuguese coonsts of Brazil had
long been established her coast and who disposed to
insist their claims Paraguay against their powerful Span
ish rivals because the century BEFORE their king Don john
had received the proposals of Columbus with empty compli
men instead of the substantial support which he afterwards
derived from Ferdinand and Isabella.
The city Of Ascencion, the present capital Of Paraguay
founded the eastern bank the river the mouth
of the Picomdyo by Don Juan de Ayolas, in 1887
then the residence of the Vceroy afterwards acknow
under old SPAIN Attention is directed this fact has
an important bearing upon the title which the Dictator of
Buenos Ayres has lately set up against the independence of
Paraguay The work of coonizing and cvzng the interior
wilderness begun, upon plan that has analogy
in the history of the world The strong influence primarily
exered In Ascencon CENTRE and divergng from thence
In all directions, joined to the power exercised by the Jesus
in Paraguay has produced remarkable results superior
degree OF civilizations that other part Of South America
fifty miles from the coast boast of equal advancement
in the arts and the just principles Of social intercourse This
country was erected into bshopnck by Pope Plus ILL., and
the first Jesuit arrived in 1885, just foysx years after the
establishment Of the ORDER and thirty after the beginning
of their abors in Brazil Truly marvellous the skill with
which the disciples of the astue Loyoa this wilder
OF uto of boundless wealth and power
by organizing system of political and ecclesiastical govern
men such had PARALLEL But it is not design
to enlarge the history of Paraguay under the scepe
old Spain, and the far influential dominion of the Je
suits The period last when the hatred Of colonial
depotsm, stimulated by the victorious example of the United
States and favored by the disorders and commissions of the
mother country brought the Spanish colonies of South Anne
RIGA 10 a general effort of self-emancipation.
The revolution commenced in Buenos Ayres in 1910. A
few weeks served bring all the and provinces in the
ancient cceroyalty of Buenos Ayres the views and
under the control of the capital with the exception of Codo
Paraguay, portion OF Upper Peru, Bolivia, and
Monte Video, The Republic of Uruguay An expedition
under the command Of General Begrand by Buenos
Ayres against Paraguay met and entirely defeated
the city of Coentes by Paaguayan Chiefs Yegros
and Cavaero, who acting under the authority of the
Spanish General Velasco, then governor But though,
yet when they returned the head of their victorious troops
they cast off the yoke of Span abolished formally but with
out bloodshed the authority of the Governor Veasco and
then established Independent junta BY this Paraguay
burst the bonds of colonial oppression much than any
Of the sister provinces and three years before Buenos
Ayes fairly over her struggle, Spanish enemy could
be found within the territory.
The dmembemen of the provinces OF the La Plata took
place the close the year 1873 It began with Paraguay
but strictly speaking, che could time be said have
formed portion Of the "United Provinces, created by
the patriots She joined in any conederacy with them,
but established once in 1871 ruins Of the Spanish
power, Independent government Of her This fact
demands especial attention. the basis Of her subsequent his
tory After the victory General Belgand, treaty
made with Buenos Ayes, recognising the independence Of
Paraguay and sipulaing for mutual aid and No
action by either Government followed this treaty. for the pro-
gress of events such entirely preclude it, The truth
that Paraguay retained her independence from colonial
saage by the advantage Of her isolated geographical po
sion than by any exertions of her This geo.
graphical position also has been the of the terrible y
ranny which she afterwards subjected under the Die
Fanca and although, in that instance, il may have
operated in favor Of her internal enemy yet must al
ways be powerful safeguard against the risk of foreign don
nation.
After the formation Of the independent una Don Franca
appointed its secretary In this situation he soon showed
degree Of talent that rendered him superior to all above
him especially his profession of advocate he gained much