Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-30
The un,ted state. and Paraguay.

message wDiCn calls LOT reuf'es VI ouuaSoS
Committed on the United States steamer
Wster-Witch. and American citizens, by the
government of Paraguay, has given rise to
an inquiry into the exact state OF the pre-
sent relations subsisting between this gov
eminent and that of Paraguay.
| 1t is known TO most OF our readers that
| Commander Page was sent 10 1858, with the
Water-Wich to make an exploration ana
survey of the tributaries OF the river La
Plata-'he principal of which are the Para
Ma and P4raguay-they having be- n declsr-
ell 10 August, 1852, By General Urquiza,
/ President of the Argentine Confederation,
open to ali foreign flgs. This gave access
to Paraguay, which Is an independent gov
! erumeut, and not member OF the Argen-
! tine Confederation.
| CAPTAIN Page was commissioned, also, by
! the President to negotiate, either jointly with
our ministe At the courts of Brazil aud the
Argentine Confederation, or singly, as cir
cuusances might render necessary, treaty
| of friendship and commerce with the gov
ernnent of Paraguay. On his arrival, bow
ever, in the waters of La Plata, be learned
that this had already been done by our min
! i.ter to the Argentine Confederation, who
at the invitation OF the English minister,
| Admiral Sir Charles Hotban, had assembled
! t. Asuncion in a man OF war steamer; while
the Sardinan minister, Mr. Ceruti, ayailed
| himself of similar invitation from Mon
/ sieur 81. George, the French ministerial
bound on the same erraDd; and on the 4th
| of March, 1858, each concluded "a treaty
with Paraguay. The exchange of ratifioa-
/ tons OF the American treaty was TO be etfec-
| ted il fifteen months from that date, at the
( city of Asunclon. twas immediately trans
mitted hJmr, and, on being presented TO the
Senate, there were found IN it such express
slons as the "United States Of North Amer
ca," the North American Union." which,
being UNUSUAL and not admissible, were
stricken out, ami the United States Of
America" substituted. These were the only
charges made, and in this form it WAS re-
turned with Instructions to Commander Page
To propose 10 the government OF Paraguay
an exchange of ratIicauups. II was receiv-
ed by him on the 18th of October, 1854,
while at Corrieutes; and as the Water
| Witch, in Common with ell men-ofwar had
but recently been excluded from the waters
of Paraguay by special decree, be despatch
ed on the following day two officers, 10
steamer bound To AsuBcinn, with note TO
the Minister of Foreign Relations, inform
lug hun that he had been commissioned by
the President of the ULited States to ex-
change the ratification of the treaty, and
proposed to meet person duly authorized
on the part OF Paraguay. The minister de-
! cliued To notice the note of Commander
! Page, because It was written in English.-
| This state OF things was Immediately repoI-
ted t. the State Department, with the infor-
nation that the treaty was on board the
| Water-Witch, where it would be kept until
further orders.
! Captain Pages reception by President
! Lopez on his arrival 10 Paraguay, was en-
tircly satisfactory, his intercourse with the
people friendly and cordial, and all the ia.
ciities for the prosecution of the work with
which be was charged were promptly gran
ted. The work progressed well-for no
| country had 50 deep an interest in the re-
. suits OF tue exploration as Paraguay--until
the unfortunate rupture between the agent
OF the American and Paraguay Company
and President Lopez. This company had
Teen induced, under assurances and pledges
of exclusive privileges and advantages from
Mr. Lopez to embark in an enterprise, com
mercial agricultural, and manufacturing
involving a great outlay Of money, but
promising corresponding return. A num-
Der Of American citizens. belonging TO this
company, became, consequently, established
in and near Asuncion. Their works--cgsr
factory, saw mill, agricultural establishment,
&i.,--were IN prosperous operation, when
LJp.z's wrath, kindled bj an angry CORES
pondeHce that had arisen between himself
aud the agent of the company into desOur-
Ing flame, Tell iudlscr mina:ely upon oil the
Americans. lie broke up the operations Ut
the company IN all its branches, closed the
cigaridct0ry, tore down the mill, aud drove
the people from the agricultural establish
ment. These outrages called Captain Page
then engaged with the Water-W tCh at a
di-tance-to AsuUcion. His previously good
relations with President Lopez enabled bin |
to have frequent uureseryed personal inter
views with hin, hoping to effect reconcilia-
ton, AID restore the company 10 Its previous
prosperous condition. 10 this be failed; aud |
only by firm and positive assurances to
President l. pez as to the course bi, duty to
American citizens would require him to pur-
sue, did he secure to them, while residing on |
shore, protection of person and property, |
which they felt assured they should DOT have
enioyed but for the WateIWitch. Failing |
to recouciie the difficulties between the gov
eroment and company, Captain Page OF
tanned an assurance from the President tina,
the Americans should lie permitted to leave
the country with their property by the usual
conveynnces. They received their passports,
but Oh asking for the permit at the custou-
house for the shipping Of their goods, Dc.
they were informed that the permit could
not be granted until the deeds for the real
estate which had been purchased by the
company and paid FIR should be surrendered
to the government. l. was we'll known that
the collector acted only by orders Of the Pres-
deot, the government de JactO. and the un-
controlled director Ut all its branches
Captain Psg- addressed note to the Score
tary Of State, Informing him Of the demand
made by the collector; also, reminding him
Ut the Presidents assurauces as 10 the de-
parture OF the Americans; and desired to be
informed ii they would not be permitted to
leave the country by the usual conveyances,
at the same time assuring him, 10 hrm but
courteous terms, that the deeds could not be
surrendered. The communication was re-
turned to him, with "a note from the minister
10 the effect that his eIceilency could DOT
read English, and required that 1t should be
translated into Spanish before it could be
received. Captain Page replied As bis