The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-15
FOREIGN MISC CELLANY.
From The Nautical Standard.
The Rio de la Plata Question.


This question has Of late excited a very great in
terest, and is justly considered by England and
France as deserving speedy solution. For more
than ten years the Rio de la Plata has been the
scene of alternate combats and treaties These
treaties have sooner been signed than they have
been annulled by both of the parties who had
made them Thus, noble river flowing in the
midst of the most fertile and favored land has been,
as it were, shut to the trade of the world, and has
profited only to lawless trader and smuggler. This
country, however, Is capable Of giving great inn
pulse to the trade Of every nation, and creating
commerce equal, if not superior to that of North
America. Possessing land to an almost countless
extent, the climate is varied according to locality
and latitude, but there is room for producing in
abundance all that every other country produces
As II often happens, those very gifts of heaven have
probably been the cause of its misfortune and
miseries.
As il is the incalculable resources of the Rio de
la Plata have, in spite of the msgovernment of it's
transitory rulers, developed themselves TO great
extent; although increasing decreasing, accord
ing 10 the state OF peace or war, commerce presents
large amount OF imports and exports. For long
time Montevideo, at the mouth of the Plata river,
has been the scene of aggression on the part of
Rosas the dictator of Buenos Ayres; and the Eng
lish and French governments have thought fit to
interfere on behalf of the Montevidean republic, to
put stop to the atrocities committed on the sub
jects of both nations by the Buenos Ayrean chief.
About four years ago, expedition, composed
Of five English ships and five French ones, pene-
trated in the river and destroyed the vessels of
Rosas, and dispersed his troops But since that
little had been done and the treaties entered into
had been disregarded, and cruelties continued.
The French and English have during that time
maintained blockade of the river, and trade has
been suffering.
The French Chambers have just voted a sum of
G720OO for the subsidy of troops to be sent to assist
The Montcvidean republic against the cncroach-
nents of Rosas; but an amendment passed in the
same sitting to the effect that negotiations should
continue. The trade of Montevideo il considera-
ala v,,l I,t &c tl. la
ber of vessels that entered the harbor was 7lS, of
ll6,23l tons, manned by 1904 men. The number
cleared was 1877 vessels, of III 237 tons, and 249
men. OF which were British entered, LOG vessels,
of D ,6lS tons, and 2ll cleared, 10 vessels
OF 20, ,555 tons, and l02 men.
The number of vessels entered at Buenos Ayres
in lS43, the last year of the reports, since which
but little trade has been carried on, account of
the blockade, was $40, Of l05,23S tons of which
entered, British, 126 vessels, of 27 1868 tons and
cleared, SO vessels, Of 2 SIT tons.
The value of exports in British ships was, in
ls4l, EI46k, k,S29; in 1872, f2ls,677; and in ls43,
The objects Of exports are hides, skins, horns,
horse, OK and COW hair, WOOL salted beef and tai
low The value of the exports for the year lS4l be-
ing f2 ,3T6, whilst the value of the exports in
1912 WAS but fl ,440 440 account Of the politi-
cal state of the country.
We sec that we have the prospect of a large trade,
which is all but lost through the pusilanimous
conduct of the British and French governments.
united efforts had been well directed from the be-
ginning, they would soon have forced him to yield;
but by temporizng with him, they have made him
powerful indeed There can be no doubt that any
European nation could succeed in reaching Buenos
Ayres; but when there, what thcns Rosas in
trenched behind the numerous rivers that intersect
all the country, and encamped in the immense
plains that connect the shore to the highest
tains, Is then unattackable, and defy the largest
and best armies. Deified by his rude followers,
who have the most unbounded confidence in him,
backed by the whole population of those immense
Pampas, he may fatigue and harass his enemies,
and destroy them in detail not being strong enough,
or too willy To risk battle
There is no other way left now, but TO enter into
treaty with him, and get the best conditions posi-
BILE. Many in this country have been ruined by
our interference, and other nations have protcd by
our folies We must retrace our steps; since VIC
cannot obtain end by force, we must obtain il
by good words. 1t is our duty well our inter
est to support the French If there is the least chance
of success but If there be none il is also our duty
and interest TO interfere with thcm and make con-
Jointly the best terms can.
We happen to know something Of Rosas, and he
is far from being so black he has been repre-
sentcd.
There have been so many causes at work, and so
many circumstances have occurred over which he
had no control, which have made him appear Is a
monster; but his readiness TO treat with the peni
potentiaries of England and France, has shown
that he is willing TO come TO terms, and adjust past
quarres. II is now the duty of the English gov
ernment to see that these matters speedily set
tied, for our commerce in that part OF the world
suffers most materially, and our influence all but
lost The river Plata is the great inlet TO the trade
of the interior of South America. The demands for
English manufactures would be immense; Bir-
min CHAM hardwares and Manchester goods would
be sent TO an ncalculable amount; they sought
for, and in great request among the agricultural
and pastoral populations Of the Pampas, as well as
among the Indian tribes. The exports from the
Plata could be immense; the riches of the country
great TO battle calculation; the trade
i'm hides, skins, and tallow alone could be increased
a hundred-iol without creating any spprecisble
diIninution in the stock Of cattle and sheep that
Craze in the boundlcss plains and on the banks Of
the rivers that run into the Plata. Countless
hordes of wild horses and horned beasts cover
ing that land, and could, by means OF the asso, be
brought 10 cheap yet remunerative market at
brought 70 market for an English crown, which
would have been sold in England at a high price.
Meat too, could be sent 10 any part OF the world for
the trouble of sailing, and very little above the
price Of cssk and salt. Talow is TO be found in
great plenty, the animals being generally in good
order. Honey, wax, and many other commodities
could be exported from the plains in any quantity
Wool is als TO be had at a very low price Indeed
there are many goods that may become the objects
of considerable and important commerce and bar
ter, that require and they produce, which
sure TO find a ready market in England, and would
cause to carry extensive and lucrative
trade with them.
We must not lose time, but set 10 work in good
earnest. There can be difficulty in the matter;
and if we arc willing TO profit by il, opportunity
offers itself at this moment, that Is not often pre-
scented TO nations 20 benefit us and put an end 10
unnatural and cruel state Of war.
From The Ndrai aud Military Gazette.
The New Arctic Expedition.
ESTERpnIsr Captain CotItSsox G. II ASp IS-