The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-09-23
The Expedition 20 Paraguay.

From The New York Times.
II has been the policy Of this paper to
dissent from some Of the leading measures
Of the Buchananan Administration, and to
reprobate the inefficient execution Of Others.
To find one which, in all its parts, and in
its carrying out, responds to the dictates of
sourd Judgment, and obtains our unre-
served sanction, really affords the luxury Of
fresh sensation, and We pay homage to it
accordingly.
The expedition to Paraguay has this
novel merit. Originating, as /, un-
questionably did, in that old couse, the
misconduct of one OF our consuls, and
promoted as o speculative attempt to
obtain indemnity through our Govern
ment for losses incurred in the course
Of ordinary mercantile transactions, ii has
had incidents materially affecting the dignity
Of the United States, and requiring prompt
intervention, il we propose to share fairly
with the commercial world in the advanta-
ges resulting from the opening Of the Plata
and its affiuents. We take 1t for granted,
indeed, that the State Department fully ap-
preciates the i'll influences upon our interests
in Paraguay produced by the avidity and
indiscretion Of Mr.. Hopkins, and recognizes
that to the feeling 80 excited is to be as.
cribed that change Of the amicable prepos.
sessions of President Lopez, which led to
the attack upon the Water Witch, and all
our subsequent woes.
But, while officially we have nothing to
do with the causes Of this unfortunate
change, it's consequences are all.important,
They supply valid ground Of reclamation.
and, IL indemnity be refused, Of war. The
first Of these was the refusal to ratify GER
tain verbal amendments to treaty, which,
in March, 1853, Mr.. Pendleton had negotia.
ted with Gen. Lopez, the text Of which that
dictator had ratified, but which had been
corrected In it's passage through the United
States Senate. In the original draft the
constitutional title OF this Government used
in all treaties-the United States Of Amer
lea, was altered to suit the prejudices Of
Lopez, into 1.-THE United States Of North
America" and 1.-The North American Tn.
ion." Of course, as no such departure from
precedent could be permitted by the Gov
eminent Of the United States, the misnomers
were amended and as this amendment
would delay in the final ratification of the
instrument, the time when the treaty should
become operative was extended for few
months. On the ground Of these changes,
the dictator refused to exchange ratifca-
tons When Lieut.. Page, Of the Water
Witch, who was authorized to procure this
exchange, wrote to the Paraguayan Secre-
tary on the subject, that functionary declin-
ed to receive his note, becase written in
English, and not in Spanish. When subse-
quently the Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick was
sent as Special Commissioner to settle the
business Of the treaty, the dictator declined
TO ratify absolutely.
In the meantime, the second ground Of
complaint was furnished to the American
Government. The Water Witch, small
surveying steamer, in prosecuting its exami.
nation OF the Parana, pushed its way to the
portion of which Paraguay owns the left
bank. 1t was authorized to make the sur.
vey, not merely by instructions from Wash.
ington, but by license and proclamation
from the Government Of the Argentine Con-
federation, and from the State OF Corrientes,
belonging TO that confederation, whose ter
ritories lay on the opposite bank, and who
were greatly interested in the results of the
expedition. As the little vessel was pass
ing the Paraguayan fort, Itapirn, on the
LIST Of February, 1855, it grounded 1t was
at once fred into from the fort, and before
it could be got Of, was seriously damaged
One man was killed, and others Of lis dimi-
nutive crew wounded. The act was clearly
in violation Of the Law OF Nations. 1t was
cowardly, malignant, and exhibited an en-
tire disregard Of the power and spirit Of the
State owning the vessel. OF course no
word Of apology or disavowal ever came
from the rulers of Paraguay. On the con.
trary, when Mr.. Fitzgerald talked of the
ratification of the treaty Of March 4, 1853,
Lopez replied by demanding satisfaction for
the conduct of the Water Witch in presum.
ing to return the FIRE of his fort, thus dis
couraging all idea Of ordinary diplomatic
adjustment. In superseding the usual course
by arming squadron TO attend and back
the negotiator, our Government has there
fore evidently adopted the only plen availa-
BILE with this inland ruffian.
In the details and organization Of this ar
mament, the Executive has also been Judi.
cious. There was no occasion SO TO hasten
the matter as TO imperil its efficacy. The
utmost care has therefore been taken TO rem
der the sqadron complete at all points. H.
stead Of yielding 10 a natural instinct Of
retaliation, which would have placed Lieut..
PAGE at the head Of the expedition, meas
ure that would almost necessarily have pre-
vented pacific arrangement, the command
has been given to that cautious and expert
enced officer, Capt. SHUBRICK and, with
Judgment equally praiseworthy, Mr. BowLIs,
whose experience Of Spanish character and
language, are OF the utmost value, has been
selected as the diplomat. The appointments
are acceptable auguries Of the result. 1t
can scarcely be doubted that among them
will be ample indemnity for the outrage
committee upon the Water Witch, and the
opening Of the Paraguayan waters to the
whole Of our marine, whether naval or mer.
camille, the latter consummation being Of
the largest importance 10 the American en-