Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-12-03
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THK PAa1auAT WAn.-During The pasl

O0CSDDSI y, 4oJos
THK PAR3suAY WAR--During the past
summer aud fall, our navy yards ~resounded
with the preparations necessary to prepare q
formidab BILE feet for hostile operations, and
it was given out through the official organ
that It's destination was Paraguay, one of
the petty South American States, the CAPT
tai of which, situated one thousand miles
interior from the sea, il was proposed TO visit
for the purpose of demanding redress for al
legged wrongs, or in default, to lombard the
city After OBTAINING a portion of the men
composing il long enough to vote for the
Administration C andidafes for Congress in
New York city, the expedition has finally
set sail; and the probabilities are that while
il will prove rs expensive nearly as the ia
nous Utah war, il will fail entirely to ac-
comPlish the object eesigned--is being re-
a vigorous resistance by planting batteries
along the banks of the river which it is
necessary TO ascend, and placing distractions
in the channel. The undertaking will be
somewhat similar to an effort to reach Cin-
cinnati with u hostile fleet by way of New
Orleans--and hardly more likely to prove
The cause OF this Eew Executive war
for, like the Utah i~mbroglio, and the Gray
town demonstration during the Administa-
lion of Pierce, Congress has not we believe
sanctioned the proposed aggressive move
ment-is the killing of a seaman by a shot
from q Paraguayan fort while one of our
their principal river, the navigation OF which
by armed vessels Of other nations had been
intsrdicfed. The particulars Of the affair
are thus detailed by an English officer, who
seems to be well posted in reference to the
matter:
Some three years ago the Water Witch
was in the vicinity Of the batteries of ItaPi-
n and the fortified camp, a position which
has the Parana in iis front and the terrific
~ Of Corrientes opposite. On the paraguay
side, and close to the batteries, is a
small island in the possession and eccupa-
ton of the Paraguayan government; and
between the batteries is q narrow channel,
tae navigation OF which is strictly prohibited,
and is quite unnecessary to commerce.
Captain Page, commanding the Water
Witch, being absent on some important sur
VeYing business, the officer left in his place
got up steam, and attempted to pass the
channel. He persisted in steaIning on even
after being informed by The commandant
that his orders were imperative to prevent
vessels other than of the P~araguayan gov
eminent from passing. This must have
been well known to the intruders, and should
have been respected in an especial degree
by the official citizen Sf-a power SO credita-
bly, punciilious on The assertion of its own
Interpretation Of its own maritime laws as
the American Union proverbially is. The
commandans's circumstances being disre-
gar6ed, q few blank cartridges were fired; and
then as the Water Witch still steamed On a
sho,ted gun was discharged, but wide Of the
vessel. The Americans replied with round
and grape; the batteries returned the yolley,
striking the hull of the steamer, and killing
the man at the wheel. The Water Witch
not being a vessel of war, and consequent
" not qualified TO contest the point further,
then steamed down the river; but no exuita-
ton was manifested by the Paraguayans, as
she was there for scientific, Dot bellicose
purposes. That the government of Psragnya
in common with every other, has a right to
regulate the navigation of lis rivers as it
may deem necessary for the security of the
state, no one will deny. These laws have
long been in operation, and were not i'm
provised for a special occasion. They were
notorious throughout the La Plata, and not
more stringent thnn others in that region.
or than in certain important rivers and seas
in Europe, till the other day. 1t is conten-
ded that the island belongs as much TO Cor
rientes as to P~araguya. This is notth fact;
ii has long been in possession and occupa-
ton of the Inter. Ii C~orrientes had any
vslid claim, Urquiza, chief OF the Argentine
Confederation, would have set about enfor-
cling il, and Brazil would have assisted while
there existed her differences with Pareguya.
These are now happily disposed of. So, |
trust, the present embodiment will be, us
soon as examined in that dispassionate spirit
which President Buchanan must desire
should animate every transaction he is iden-
tilted with.
Thu E1nSfaA SfaBna nisRricF C,NtErf ia IN