The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-28

would not be pernfefed 70 le6vo No cQ0Atry ~ me
usual conveyances. at the same time assuring
him, in firm but courteous terms, that the deeds
could not be surrendered. The communication was
returned TO him, with note from the minister
to the effect that his exceoncy could not read Eng
iish and required that il should be translated into
Spanish before it could be received. Captain Page
replied AS his communication had been treated
with contempt and az no was unable to ascertain
the designs of the government he should receive the
Americans on board of the Water Witch, with 80
much Of their property as could be taken by her,
aud proceed with them to Corrientes, the place
where they desired to establish themselves at that
time. This communication was also returned. Tho
of the country. fea
This act on the part of the commander of tho
Water Witch, which, had he omitted, would have
subjected him to the censure of his own govern
ment, brought upon him the wrath of President Lo-
per- who has characterized il in such language that
one would suppose the commander had been guilty
of an objectionable ndignity. When, however,
consider that President Lopez governs Paraguay des
politically, we should not wonder that he considered
INC Hinely Icuol uLfoI0cu tio CiuLcho
outhis permission as an act merDg not only his
denuncation, but the punishment due to the gravest
offence. He published in his official organ that the
Water Witch had left the port of Asuncion, after
assuming threatening attitude, with her guns
loaded notwithstanding Captain Page had received
visit from the Brazilian consul only an hour before
he sailed, doubtless sent by President Lopsz to
whom he stated, in reply to his apprehensions, that
he had not the most distant idea of firing into the
town, the Americans were all safely board that
he could not be responsible for any gossip to the
trary and as to his guns being loaded, he should be
delinquent in his duty if he did not take warning
from the unmuzzled fieldpiece, on a commanding
position, about three hundred yards off, around
which stood guns crew ready for action. Added
to this, the Water-Witch had to pass the Paraguay
squadron, lower the river, every vessel Of which
was doubly manned, and, as President Lopez boast
ngly proclaimed to the people of Paraguay ready 10
fire. But the little Water Witch even with her
boats howtzers. too well prepared at that time.
President Lopez concluded to watch his opportunity,
when her officers aud crew should be divided This
occurred some months afterwards, when the com
mander and all the officers save the first lieutenant
and engineers, together with eighteen Of the best
men-cf crew of rty-live--were out of her; and,
worse than all, when she was in neutral waters, in
that part of tho Paraua which is the common bound
airy between Paraguay and the Argentine Coniedera-
ton. Here without other warning than the fire Of
two blank cartridges, she was wantonly fired into,
the man at the helm killed. the whcelrope cut away,
and the vessel hulled ten times. The fire was re-
turned, and we hope with some effect, from what
transpired. And what is the reason
assigned by President Lopez for this act of bar
barityf That the Water Witch was in private
channel of tho river belonging to Paraguay.
1t is not probable that tho Water-Wiich, in her
then condition as to officers men, aud armament,
would have invited attack from weconstructcd
stone fort, and one known to be fully garrisoned
and it is quite improbable that she would have
been taken out of tho main channel into private"
ono belonging to Paraguay, when the object Of her
work was TO trace ont the course of the former.
The true reason for firing into the steamer at this
time is to be found only in the fact that she had re-
moved from Asrncion American citizens without
permission of President Lopez ; that is no refused
10 allow them permit for the shipment of their ef
fects until he ascertaincd that they were being re
,eived on board-until he made fully aware that
he could not detain them or hold on TO their NOV
,bIe property without losing something of greater
value to himself
In 1856, after the return of the Water-Witch to
the United States, a commissioner was despatched
10 Paraguay with instructions to propose the ex-
change of notifications of this treaty This
second attempt on the part of the United States to
establish friendly relations with that government
and what was the results On the presentation of
bis credentials the commissioner is informed by the
minister under date Of November 8, 1856, that
at is requisite therefore, that you should be pleased
10 Disclose the objects of said special commission, in
order that may understand the halt 10 the pending
questions In regard to the complaints of this govern
nent against that of the United States for the serious Of
ences offered it by the scandalous hostties Of the
handing officer of the Water WITCH United States
.el of war - s8- t4 nj
This little cunning, which demanded ON expana
lion in matter Of her wrong, is not altogether
unfamiliar TO diplomatic agents in South America. IL
is expressed by sailors as getting to windward,"
rs putting your opponent on the wrong tack" Pres
dent Lopez, in fault, could afford to become a com
plainant
We have other purpose than to bring the main
features of the affair Of the Water Witch before tho
country II is undenably true that it is Ear more
difficult to conduct our relations with the small