Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-10-15
National Afairs.
THE PARAGUAY EXPEDITION.

time fitting out at New York and Nor
folk, is by far the NEST considerable ar
mament Of its kind which has left our
shores since the war with Mexico. 1t
consists Of two frigates, two sloops-of-
war, three brigs-of-war, eight steamers,
and store ship. The destination of the
squadron is the waters of Paraguay, and
the object Of this imposing demonstration
is TO demand, aud enforce if need be.
reparation. for the gross insult
offered to the Ament3n Hag BY firing
INTO The UnaeA Sfsgry s<anisr of war
Water Witch, while kngagedin peace
full exploration of the Parana river,
whereby she suffered the loss of one of
her crew and was considerably damaged
in her hull. Commissioner Bowlin, who
accompanies the expedition, is also
charged 10 make reclamations upon the
Government of Paraguay for the dana.
ges sustained by an American Company,
which, until broken up by the arbitrary
course pursued towards it by President
Lopez, was engaged in commercial and
agricultural pursuits at Asuncion, the
Capital of Paraguay, and in its vicinity.
Independent, however, of these, the chief
causes of the difficulty which has arisen
with Paraguay there are other points of
difference that have existed ever since
the partial ratification of the treaty os
1858, and growing out of the course
pursued by President Lopez with regard
to that treaty. Perhaps. also, the desire
to make salutary impression not only
upon the States of Argentine Confede-
ration, but upon all the turbulent little
Republics OF South America, may have
had its influence upon our Government
in sending out Commissioner to Para.
quay, supported by sufficient force to
prevent repetition Of previous insults,
and as an evidence Of our determination
henceiorth to vindicatc promptly the ho-
nor Of our flag and to bring our just
claims to an immediate settlement by
peaceful negotiation, if that be possible.
or by resort to arms il force should be
found necessary Viewed in this light,
tbs expedition now about to set sail, even
if il does not have occasion to fire sim
gle hostile gun, will, in all probability,
be productive of very beneficial results
In the plan of operations adopted by our
government ii is understood that the
feet will make its rendezvous at Buenos
a yres, wbileG ommissiouer Bowiin pushes
On To .Asuncion IN a small steamer. which
is to be followed up, within supporting
distance, by all the other vessels Of light
draught. If he fails to obtain from the
government of Lopez, full and immedi-
ate satisfaction, "tLe squadron will be
put in motion, and all vessels drawing
from nine to twelve feet Of water, will
push on to their work, and the remainder
will lie at the mouth Of the Parana, and
maintain vigorous blockade Of the Pa
raguay"
If, therefore, President Lopez refuses
to consent to the terms demanded of
him, and active operations become neces-
sary the chief dependence will be upon
the steamers accompanying the cxpedi
ton, for the heavier vessels Of war, while
engaged in blockading the mouth of the
Parana, will be al far distant from Asun-
cion, the Capital of Paraguay and the
point against which hostile demonstrs
ton would be made, az vessels stationed
at the mouth Of the Mississippi would be
from Pittsburg, on the head waters Of
the Ohio. We have not the least doubt,
however, that our difficulty with Para
quay viii be amicobly adjusted without
resort TO force. Lopez has submitted
before to a less imposing demonstration
made by Brazil, and captious and inso.
lent as he may be on ordinary occasions,
he has too much at stake, officially and
commercially, to venture upon resistance
in the presence Of an armed embassy
Though Republican in form, the govern
ment Of Paraguay is, in point Of fact,
almost as absolute despotism rs it was
in the days of DR. Francia. From tho
period Of his acension to power, the rul.
ing policy of Lopez has been to engross
to himself the whole trade and commerce
Of the country; and in this he has been
80 Ear successful, that at the present tine
he is "the chief merchant. the chief AK.
and the chief ship-owner Of
Paraguay. The mere blockade. there
fore, Of the mouth Of the Parana, by
cutting of all communication with the
sea-board, and thus breaking up his CON.
mercial operations, would, in all proba-
yility, prove saiEicicH: Of itself 70 induce
him to offer a satisfactory atonement for
ais past acts Of insult and aggression
but, under the double pressure Of block.
lding squadron, and an armed notilla,
'eady at any moment to commence hos.
illtles, we may safely conclude that be
will promptly concede all that Commits
ioner Bowlin is authorized to demand.
indeed, it would be scarcely possible for
lin TO do otherwise. Exclusive Of tho
iuarani Indians, the total population Of
Paraguay does not exceed three hundred
thousand Asuncion, the Capital Of the
Republic, and IT, principal port. has not
more than ten thousand inhabitants. near
y all Of whom are Mestzoes, or desccn-
lants of Spanlards and Indians Tho
whole merchant marine Of the State con-
lists Of but about dozen Yessels, aver
ging each some forty tons, while tho
nitro naval force at the command of tho
Government is composed of one small
rig aud two steamers Of light drought.
We need not, therefore, be under much
pprcheDsion Of coming into conflict
i,h power 90 feeble Baltimore Er.
hinge