The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-02
Tbs Kxpeditlon Go Paras uny.


Tbs Expedition Co Paraguay.
The President having fully determined TO
brig the Paraguay government to account for
its attack on the Water Witch, and its unjusti-
fable treat ment Of American citizens while en-
gagged in commercial pursuits in that country,
to which they were invited, ia preparing to
maintain it BY an adequate force. Commander
Page, to whose nerve, experience and talent the
charge of the squadron is to be committed, has
been visiting this city, Boston and Philadel-
phia, to ascertain what eailable craft among the
propellers could be obtsined to add to the go
seInment vessels already selected. The neces-
sity of some suoh step was made known several
months ago to the Chairman Of the Naval Com
mittee of the Senate, the advising official friend
of the Secretary of the Navy, and offers were
then made the department to procure for it
these very vessels, and to have them ready in
ninety days. The offer was unnoticed; and now
il is doubtful whether the expedition will get
has always been prompt, firm and decided, and
it lie great pity that any delay should occur in
carrying it out.
The only two vessels actually selected as yet
are the Harriet Lane and the Fulton, and we
believe the Arctic. The former is fine ship,
with noble engine Of American design and
the three have been fully described in the
HERALD.
The Fulton is an old steamer, which was cut
down, reftted and improved to such degree
that she draws only about nine feet water, and
is quite fast. There are no ether steamers in
the navy of the light draught indispensable for
this service. 1t is, therefore, necessary to re-
sort to the commercial marine to make up the
deficiency. 1t will be necessary to employ pro-
pellers, for on an ordinary side wheel steamer 1t
is impossible to work effectively forward and
aft pivot gun of much calibre. The wheel houses
are in the way. Probably some vessels may be
obtained of sufficient strength, but they will re-
quire considerable expenditure and some time
to get them into proper condition. As it is,
they will he obliged to carry their guns in their
holds till they reach Buenos Ayres. II is the
intention Of the President to send out some
seven or eight vessels, mounting ten inch
pieces Of Dahlgren's construction. The num-
Der Of them will be about fifty and the force Of
seamen and marines about six hundred
The navigation Of the river is one of the
chief difficulties to be encountered. Its depth
is very much affected by the prevailing winds.
The tide rises three or four feet IN the Paraguay
hundreds Of miles from It's mouth, but is not
perceptible in q blow from the northward
The draugbt Of vessels which can safely ascend
to Assumption should not be over twelve feet,
for at the mouth of the Parana where IL unites
with the Paraguay, just above Corrienies. there's
the bar ofSan Juan with but fifteen or sixteen feet
water, which shoals according 10 the season or
the wind. Vessels drawing over twelve feet
rarely get over; no deep channels exist, and
the river is wide in proportion to its shall
lowness Commander Page will, however, take
up bis light squadron with great facility. for he
has sounded every mile Of the stream and
knows every foot of the way.
But what will b. the effect of his appearance
in the river? Lopez has hitherto considered him.
self perfectly safe from any attempt on our
part. His principal means Of defence consist Of
a fort about one hundred and fifty miles below
Assumption; and no serious opposition TO the
expedition is expected before Il reaches this
point. A question Of etiquette may arise pre-
viously at the mouth Of the Parsna where It is
customary for vessels entering into his country
to salute the Paraguay Admiral Should the
customary salute be withheld, Lopez who Is a
thorough Jesuit would make 1t an excuse for
not receiving our commissioner. and thus gain
further time to complicate the existing ques.
tons II Is presumed, bowever, that our squa-
dron going up, with the olive branch at It's fore.
mast, will conform to etiquette. and thus avoid
a difficulty of frivolous nature. TIL we come
to blows we are bound TO be civil.
The hundred gun battery is the one where
the decisive action will take place. 1t CON-
mands the channel, and there the gauntlet must
be run. With our beaver metal and superior
skill, II lie believed the contest will not long be
doubtful, although II is understood the onemys
artillery is directed by French officers The
Psrseuayan army iteelf is Of no account II is
composed Of race quite indisposed 10 war and
unaccustomed to arms
The expedition should arrive out at Assumption
as early as November for after that period the
river waters fall, and the navigation for large
vessels becomes more difficult. Lopez UNDER
stands all this, and hopes to profit by it, Oar
success will, however, almost entirely depend
upon the character of the commissioner. He
should he no ordinary man, for be is to be placed
in delicate and responsible position, and
his conduct will determine the success or failure
d the expedition. the President appreciates
the importance of the position, and 1t is hoped
will adhere TO his expressed determination to
give II to the very best man he can 6ud.
Our demands must be stcrply insisted on, aud
our squadron must act effectively. commits
sioDer might easily defeat, by his negligence, or
Instability, or want Of ssgacity the policy of our
government and the plans Of Captain Page. We