The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-19

account o. the Quarantine removal, or wanting TO
extend the Jersey blight over any of this ate
really, Captain Rodman Price we did not think
you such goose.
Exploration or the River lie PA~ta and TIT
outarieA--lts CSmmsx cisl and Political linz
porsance.
We have received copy Of the report made
by Captain Thomas j. Page to the Secretary Of
the Navy, of the exploration made b. him with
the United States steamer Water Witch, ia the
South American rivers employing into the river
La Plata. The report lie a very meagre and con
densed account of the voyage of the Water
Witch, hut while it gives us au idea of the great
extent Of the river navigation practicable in
those regions all the detail and scientific obser-
vations Oh population climate, topography and
productions are necessarily omitted.
The country examined is, next to Our own val
ley of the Mississippi, Of the most interesting
in the world, hot only from its peculiar charac-
teristics but from its probable future the oeat
Of q mighty empire. A vast population has
already gathered upon the banks Of the Urugusy,
Parana and Paraguay rivers and their tributarisa
Confederate on bold their several political systems
upon their banks, and look to their waters Us the
destined means Of opening the markets Of the
world to their productions. While in many
things this vast plateau extending from the east
ern slope of the Andes 10 the Cordillera, running
parallel to the coast Of the South Atlantic ia den-
teal with the great valley of North America,
there are Others which make it. as it were, the OBJ
verse OF the medal. In the valley of the Missis-
sippi the temperate chimes lie upon the head
waters Of the liver courses and these carry their
products to an outlet within the burning zone,
where the Caucasian is untitled to labor. Ia this
great valley Of South America it is the torrid
zone That lies upon the headwaters of naviga-
ton. ard the water courses carry its products to
more temperate cline. Here the seat of white
population grows around the focus of great in
land commerce under cODgenal climatic infu-
ence, and is thus better adapted to extend its
energy and enterprise over the seats Of riverine
empire.
These considerations have occupied the
attention OF European statesmen for the
last twenty years, and many of the
most able representatives of European diploma
cy have been stationed there. Waewski, Lord
Howdeu, Baron Gros, Mr.. Gore, Sir Charles Hot
BAN, Mon. St. George and others, have success
siyely represented their governments there during
the past ten years. This pregnant fact called the
attention of our own government TO the scene,
and in 1862 it was determined to send out sur
veying expedition TO examine the rivers
The Water Witch, a steamer of about four
hundred tons, and drawing nine feet of water,
detailed for the service, and sailed from Nor
folk early in 1858. III adapted as a sca-going
steamer necessarily is for river exploration, still
she assembled the Paraguay 1000 miles from the
sea, 10 the nineteenth degree of south latitude
where she was stopped, not by shoals or bars in
its channel, but by political considerations
Tributaries were also examined for huodceds of
miles and their adaptabilty to steam navigation
perfectly demonstrated. The country produces
vast numbers OF cattle, and some wheat sugar.
cotton and tobacco-the latter of a very superior
kind-and "ye1ban or South American ia.
which from the hold il has upon the native popu-
lation, may Dc supposed TO resemble coffee and
tea in its influence upon the human system. and
when better known may rival the Chinese leaf
and be the ohicc; OF vast commerce.
Throughout the region examined by tue Water
Witch expedition a sparse but very hospits ,e
population was found, aad Captain Page was
everywhere received with open arms. His com
ing was hailed by the pres ami by the people ~
the advent Of n new era 10 them, and the praise
Of ID, "illusirious North American government
was 10 every mouth We are glad 70 see from
the extracts from newspapers printed thousands
Of miles inland in the countries visited-which
extracts accompany the report-that Captain
Page did not withhold the successful results Of
his observations from the government and people
o. The country. The good effect Of this genial
policy Is visible in every line Of the report, and
in 10 Captain Page has given practical lesson TO
our government which We trust will not pass uu-
heedCd. VI has bcen too much our practice 70
send to The countries Of Spanish America rep.c-
sentaives who neither understood the Ian
guege Dor compfehoudcd the advantages We
might draw from an enlightened diplomacy.
We nay also add that when our repre- =cntatiycs
have learned by observation aud practice and
urge upcn our govcrnmcnt any Modification -,
policy, or energy q action, their Communications
arc uuhecded. and iie unanswered in The crowded
pigeon holes Of he state department Nc knov
this io b. a fact ard sc h.ve often seen and pro-
tc-tcd against occasions watre thi. neglect has
u jured Tic interests of our citizens aud u the
country.
j. ihc countries visited by Captain Page there
i' vast region available 20 labor and 70 con-
muce. ana which Is ready and wiliDg b. admit
them a -gnifcant fact 10 this resrcct il exhi
Htco % iU' reply II President Lopez. Of Para.
quay. to a Leca'o cent by The Pope TO arrar.c
certain matters tberc. which we had rcported n
our ate South American exchanges. Lopcz re-