The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-04
THE PARAGUAY EXPEDITION.
Our Hv.val Strength to be Employed IN A'd
OF Our Diplomacy.

pver assembled under the American flag with the excep
sion of that which opcrated the Gulf during cur war
with Mexico is rapidly concentrating at this port ana al
Norfolk and about sail for the waters Of the Paraguay
The government has on former occasions ttered lts
eaglcs in the face Of powerful European nations and not
without good results, but the nsolence, dupicty and
ourages of the American States have received n,
check whatever hands The despots who rule for
the nonce and by the hour-succcedng each other like
shadows ON wa-have conducted the affairs of their mis-
named republics either believing that internal poll
tical divisions demoralzing and weakening as
their own that greater interest elsewhere wouii
overlook the aggreons Of petty States and
have gone from without being made oatohe
single outrage and most Of the foreign ministers we
have sent to make the proper recamations-stum
orators third rate lawyers barroom politcians-hav
gone without any other object than TO get their outfit
salaries and return home soon as they had scraped
together enough silence their creditors. No wonder
that in such hands diplomacy has gone wrong, both
IN Central and South America and no wonder that the
cunning and observing of Paraguay has consider
ed himself in possible danger from American diploma
lists or American But fortunately for the country
We have a President who is determined to maintain its
honor and vndicatc its rights, and thus formidable
squadron will soon make its appearance in the waters Of
Paraguay with rcclamatons the hand and Paix
hans on the other These contemplate South American
countries which have long trespassed on our good
nature are about TO be taught lesson by which they
will be able TO regulate their future intercourse with the
United States.
Our government has for many years attempted to cx
tend its commercial relations with the different nations Of
South America, prolerng them the advantages OF re-
cprocal and lucrative trade. The Plata and the Amazon
been the of the most benevolent and advan
tageous explorations conducted at expense and mer
Ill
enterprise to bring these efforts happy and profitable
conclusion Paraguay particularly selected as con
try with which the beneficial relations might be
fualy established.
In 1853 Mr.. j. s. Pendcton Pcnpocntlary to Para
quay concluded a treaty with the United States, but
though Il was ratified it formally exchanged. IL
was generally understood however, that il was reliable
arrangement for the previous mission of Mr. Brent and
the actual appointment of an American Consu'-Mr T. A.
Hopkns-for Asuncion, early as the year 1851, to-
gether with the official reports Of the agent sent by
Mr. Polk led everybody to believe In that year, them
1853, Mr. Hopkins presented himself Consul aud
also the agent American trading company which he
had succeeded in getting during his visit 10 the United
States The exchange of Pcndetons treaty not being d
rccty made Col Fitzpatrick was ont by Mr.. Pierce
as Q special envoy 1855, to exchange II with the usual
formalities but offence taken the amendments
technical phraseoogy Of the instrument in the words
the United States Of America" which Lopez oonended
were not geographically historically correct Ttzpat
rick returned with flea in his ear, and to this day
have had absolute treaty with Paraguay, though
have Consul whose duties like his salary are precisely
nothing But nevertheless the previous personal as
surances Of the friendship of Lopez the American
tion two important enterprises undertaken. One
was the exploration Of the Paraguay river, its afuents
and conucnts by the Water Witch, commanded by Lieut.
Page, and the establishment Of the trading company
known as the United and Paraguay Navigation Com
pany.
The Water Witch sail ed, under the command Of Lieut.
Tnos J. Page her destination, and leaving Bacnos
Ayres on the Of September 1853 reached Assumption
on the Of October having stopped at all the ports
her route and made chart OF the river. small
was constructed as tender the navigation OF the
smaller rivers at Asunciou, and large portion OF the
exploration was accomplished under favorable
stances but in attempt to ascend the Parana through
the common waters Of Paraguay and the Argentine Con
federation where she had already been invited pro
ceed for the purposes Of exploration and having nothing
on board adequate for her defence except salutng
battery she fired into by the commander Of the for
sress OF Iapra and suffered the loss of her
as well considerable damage to her hull The
nrc was returned calamity the Of defence
Lieut. Page was not board being unfortunately absent
with the small in Of the tributaries making
personal examination The Paraguayans boasied Of this
affair and proclaimed that they had hullcd the Water
Witch and she at their mercy. This attack her
was gross outrage, she not in Paraguayan
II she VAS peace with Lopez and engaged in
a scientific exploration but really had been invited there
from the rst BY all the riparian governments aud her
mission which even barbarians would have re-
sctcd From that day to this proper apology has been
made this government, and has formally
obtained any We have so much absorbed in pitt
ful disputes that have had no tmeaprarcnty
desreto wipe out the stain received by aag To
Mr. Buchanan whatever has been or Is likely to
te done vindi,ate IFS honor Lieut. Pages expedition
was seriously Affected by this Infamous conduct and dup
city Of lopez but he nevertheless with materials
surveys and information which will prove a last
ing benefit The commercial world His report,
In tho shape Of a personal narrative, will shortly
appear the press Of the arpcrs and his maps have
already been sought for by the British government.
The fate of the trading company much better.
Mr. Hopsins, returning TO this country from Paraguay
with the of tho personal friendship and govern
mental aid of Lopez have already mentioned, adj
dressed himself leading merchants and capitalists OF
this city aud Providence for tho purpose Of establishing
company take dyanagc o this favorable opening lie
represented the Fertility and natural products Of Paraguay
he wha, they really arc-sccond 20 other, pro
portion to rs area, the face Of the globe. After
somo months negotiation joint stock association was
formed N this city, With capital OF si2o 600 for The pur
pose of carrying out the project hut met with cons,dc-
rsbc opposition from the friends and representatives Of
American houses in Bucnos Ayrcs and Monevldeo. who
feared their profitable commissions and their control of
the river business would be lost IL a direct trade
Was opened 10 Assumption by new and wealthy par.
ties But four gentlemen II this city finally Join.
ed the enterprise, which taken up and
carried through in Providence by the exertions
of number Of capitalists, Lieutenant Governor Arnold
DR. Darlington and their friends and the Office Of tho
,mpauy was subsequently moved there, under charter
obtained from the STATE Of Rhode Island. steamer
called the Roger williams purchased IN Philadelphia,
brought round TO this city, and put in order for the voy
age under tho direction Of Mr. Copeland engineer aud