Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-04
TREATY WITH PARAGUAY.


TREATY WITH PARAGUAY.
We learn from the Alexandria Gazette that let
ters have been received from the Hon. JOHN S.
PENpLEToN, Charge dAffaires to the Argentine
Confederation, in which he states that he has con-
cluded and signed Treaty Of Friendship, Com
merce, and Navigation with the Government Of the
Republic of Paraguay, and that the treaty has been
approved and ratified by the competent authorities
Of that Government. So mat IL only awaits the
appreciation Of the Government of the United States
and the exchange Of notifications, to 60 into effect
The details of the treaty will, of course, remain
unknown until published by authority; but it is to
be presumed that it is of the usual form and sub
stance, as the Representative of our Government
would not be authorized to accept any other, and
not at all likely to take any which is not perfectly
satisfactory.
This treaty is one of very great Importance to
the commerce of the United States, since it opens
to our merchants country not only the richest
and most populous in South America except Brazil,
but one which has been heretofore closed against
all foreign intercourse whatever and is therefore in its
whole entire and new addition to the commerce
Of the world
More than million of people, scattered over a coun-
try larger than New York. Pennsylvania and Virginia
together and which produces in the greater part if
throughout its whole extent the richest articles of
merce-tobacco, rice cotton indigo, &c.must prove if
not Immediately, certainly in very short time
valuable addition to the business Of the commercial States
and especially to the United States.
1t is country not adapted the production of wheat
and must always rely foreign supply of breadstus
except Indian corn, which it produces very we'll 1t has
no manufactures and must supply itself also from abroad
with most of the articles of that class which its
and its vast will the same time demand and
enable it so easily to pay for.
This country Of the first of the South Amer-
States which threw off the authority Of the mother
country Its geographical position the headwaters
Of the Rio de la Plata rather at the head Of navga
ton and fifteen hundred miles from the Atlantic has not
only secured its independence but protected it entirely
from any attempt at its re-subjugation.
exchanged the authority Of old Spain for the rule
one Of the most remarkable men who has performed
part in the Of States during the
century.
For upwards Of thirty years the celebrated Dr. FRANc
continued maintain hio authority by Of system
of the most remorseess tyranny and caprcous cruelty
of which there is any example in the history of the world
One of the by which his power continued
impaired to the moment of his death policy Of
as that of the Island of Japan The laws Of the country
(which nothing but the edcts Of Franca who united
all power in his own person. forbade the entry of any
human being into the territory of Paraguay any pre-
text whatever OF the few who by any chance did enter
permitted TO return; very few did escape
and from their imperfect reports only has the world for
half century had any consciousness Of the existence Of
this Republic, so called
The talents Of Franca proftng by the perpetual
fusions and civil wars Of the surrounding Provinces
abled him protract long this singular anomaly Be-
ing himself the strongest power, and standing perfectly
aloof from oil connexions whatever, he allowed his
way for the third Of century, and died in the full
possession and exercise Of his power
After his death the present President Lopez ap
pointed Although Lopez not tyran he has still but
very gradually relaxed the system Of Franca in respect
foreign intercourse He has steadily refused to make
treaties though repeatedly solicited thereto not only by
the South American States but by the European Powers
Within the last six months he persuaded to make
treaty with the Argentine Confederation, and has
signed and caused to be ratified with England the
United States France, and Sardinia.
All these Powers, acting and the time, and
in concert have at last succeeded in obtaining the same
conditions Of intercourse and trade.
Our readers already know that Mr. PESDLEToS in
junction with Mr.. ScHENcK, succeeded in efectng a
treaty with the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. This
treaty with another of the South American nations
cuded by Mr. PEHDLEToS justly entities that gentleman
to great credit for his exerons and abilities All
counts speak in the highest Of his devotion the
interests Of his country, and OF the signal which
has attended his efforts to accomplish the objects Of his
mission He is still engaged assiduously in further d.
plomac matters which we doubt not will also be
cessfully terminated.