Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-19
ParHCuR +.

interesting. Oar readers are wei aHa'e,
that ever since the establishment of the Die
tatorship by Francia, forty.fve years ago. 1t
has been almost os much shut out from the
rest of the world, as Japan is now, or as
China was formerly. Franeia died many
years ago, and ever since 1910, the dictator
ship has been in the hands OF man named
Lopez. Strangers have from time to time
visited the country, and they all concur in
representing this man as q great scJundrel
and great tyrant. The manner in which
our own citizens we're treated, is still fresh
10 the recollection of everJ body; but, for rea-
sons of their own the English newspapers,
especially the London Times, have been IN
the habit of representing Lopez as the most
enlightened, and beneficent ruler since the
days of Sssostris. Fortunately, in England
itself has arisen q witness who cOntradlcts
all this iu the most positive manner. This
witness is Lieutenant Colonel Guernsey, Of
the British army, who distinguished himself
in the Crimea, and subsequently went to
Paraguay IN the capacity Of engineer, to
construct certain public works for Lopez
lie only stad four months, when he left the
country 10 disgust The following observa-
tons are taken entirely from his letter:
Paraguay is, beyond all doubt, the most
highly favored region upon the face OF the
earth. /. has the most delightful OF all Gil
m ates, aud its healEhiness is altogether with
out example. No other region eau compare
with it in the productiveness of its solI--not
even Cuba, or the most favored portions oil
India. 1t abounds with every mineral
known to man, and, in the language OF
Scripture, "is we'll watered even as the Gar
den of the Lord" 1t is, probably, also the
best wooded country in the world, the prime
val forests still existing there in ali their
original luxuriance. There is not spot
upon its whole surface which is not readily
accessible to market, by means OF the great
natural iulets furnished by the Platte, aud
its innumerable navigab!e tributaries" How
happens it, then, that this country, settled
By Europeans three hundred years ago, in-
stead of being one of the most furnishing
is one of the most wretcbei on The face OF
the earth Col. Guernsey furnishes the
true solution. The government is the worst
10 the world, and it has done it's best to
couuteract all the efforts Of nature in its
favor.
10 the year 1910, Lopez usurped the gov
ernment. and has held it ever since. His
dominion is perfectly absolute, aud all bis
measures are directed TO the aggrandlze
ment of himself and his family. All the
Offices of importance are in their hands
His Oldest son is commander Of the army
and navy, and minister Of war, besides.
His second son, who cannot read or write, Is
commaudaut OF Ascension. A third son,
when he gets old enough, ia to be Chief
Judge. All the minor Offices are filled by
mis- kindred, and his brother is bishop OF the
whole country. This interesting family
party have things entirely their own way
They have entirely monopolized trade, and
having set up shops and stores Of their own,
the fair trader stands no chance with them.
Twenty-Five per cent. is charged the trader,
as duty upon all articles of food, and
duty of ten per cent. is Land upon every artl-
Gle exported. There are numerous oth6r
duties, invented to obstruct toe legitimate
trade aud favor the monopoly. There are
licenses to trade, licenses to embark, llcen-
SEES to purchase licenses to store, licenses to
trade 10 the country, &c. For this reason,
the resources of the country have not yet
been developed, and the world is stiii IN IL
noranoe Of its immense capacity. Even
those resources which were formerly de-
veoped, have been either greatly curtailed
or entirely cut off. For instance; immense
numbers of cattle were raised, in former
times, By wealthy proprlet0rs. throughout
the country. The present government has
contrTed almost to destroy the trade In this
branch of industry. by its exactons. it
was in the habit Of watching the proprietor,
until his cattle had become ready for mar
ket, and then making him give up one half
of all be had to the nominal use OF the gov
eminent, really, to the use of Lopez himself,
allowing him only three dollars head,
which was most usually never paid at all,
and always, If paid, taken out in goods from
some of the Dic.ator's stores at four times
their real value. These cattle, thus appro-
priated, are sent to one of Lopez E-tancias,
and afterwards 10 Buenos Ayres, where the
skins alone readily command ive dollars
The government has also monopolIzed the
yerba, or tea, every biz Of which that is sold,
passes through its hands. So it is, in fact,
with every thing else. The slaves, which
are numerous, all belong to the government,
and are treated with inhuman severity.
The government Of Lopez is the most ex-
ecrable tyranny on the face OF the earth.
The monster seems to delight in shedding
blood. For the most triding offences, for the
most innocent words, upon the slightest sus-
piciop, men are seized and put to DEATH
The reign Of terror is complete. No man
dare whisper the name of the tyrant, except
in terms of AFFECT slavery. Two poor wo-
men were turned out of their house, which
was the only property they had on earth,
and it was leveled with the ground, because
a SPY bad reported their brother as having
said something t. the dscredit Of the Dicta-
tor at Buenos Ayres. Women are freqcent
" hogged naked in the streets of Ascension,
until the blood runs down to their heels
The exactious and tyranny Of the govern.
nent, have driven all foreigners from the
country. Col. Guernsey speaks IN terms OF
high indignation, Of the treatment extended
to the American settlers, and expresses q
hope that this government will exact terri
bic satisfaction. The government OF Brazil
has also, long account to settle with Lopez,
and it seems probable that be will not be
suffered much longer, to blight the green
province over which he presides -Rich.
Wing.
The Li,tIes Trial at Rochester.
The above trial commenced at Rochester,
On Monday. Ira Stout and his sister, Mrs.
Sarah Litties, are arrsign=d for the murder
IF Cha. w. Littles, the woman's husband.