The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-24
QUESTIONS PENDING BETWEEN PARAGUAY
THE UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL
Irrom the n. y. Journal Of Commerce. /

The terrestrial paradise north Of the paana and
the Paraguay river is to be aroused from its slum
Der With the death of the Dictator Fancia it sup
posed that new was naugurated for E Paraguay,
but subsequent events have only shown that dspot
has been succeeded by another and perhaps dan
gerons for the welfare Of that half civilized sire
public
President Lopez who wormed himself into power is a
OF ability His profession Of advocate, it il
said, exercised with zeal impartiality and dsnter-
estednes until Fmncia centred ia himself all power Lo-
pee at that time retired in disgust to his farm, 100 miles
from Assumption, and there gave himself up books and
agriculture until called to the post of consul at the death
OF Francia-
ontrages upon Brazil and Corrientes which occurred
that period had to BE- passed by without correction
satisfaction the troubles at the mouth of the river
Plate hurryng affairs that crisis which resulted
in the raising Of the siege OF Monteyideo, and the
plete overthrow OF the tyant Rosas The Emperor of
Brazil Don Pedro II, awaiting himself of the fact that
Rosas had prohibited the free navigation of the Para.
and Paraguay and had thereby prevented the develop
ment OF the republic OF ST. Lopez, hattered the fat
old President who remarkably resembles George w by
comforting upon him the grand cross of the " Order OF
Christ, and by making his son, Gen Lopez, commander
in the order Brazil had two objects in view lst
to keep Paraguay from forming alliance with Rosss
from invading the Argentine province of Corricntes
and "a, To obtain an uninterrupted river navigation to
the rich Brazilian province OF Matte Crosse, which is
north OF Paraguay. Brazil succeeded in forming all-
with Paraguay for six years and then the former
united her well disciplined regulars with the Guachos
UfQulza, and alter tS power, loAg the terror
of South America, vanished forever. GE
The overthrow OF Rosls created active movement
among the diplomats whose governments had been wait
ing until that desired event 1.-THE downfall of Rosas to
form treaties with all the river States. England France
the United States and Sardinia not only had their regu
lar representatives but special commissioners ready
with naval ornaments and small steamers 10 make ami
cable and commercial alliances ut Monteyideo Buenos
Ayres and at distant Assumption. There also
q of traders from these various countries, all
pecting golden harvest Among these commercial
Mr. Hopkins, who represented the United States
and Paraguay navigation company joint stock
formed in the State OF Rhode Island the oscnsibc object
OF which 10 introduce steam navigation the Para
quay soil American manufactures and export immense
quantities Of cigars But the nobcst enterprise Of all
that under the command of Lieut. T. j. Page, which
had for its end the scientific exploration OF those a
fuents of the La Plata which water the undeveloped and
fertile fields of southern Brazil, Paraguay and the Banda
Oriental 1t work OF humanity and science, in
which the Rayants of the civilized world took the deepest
interest The little Water Witch steamed in 1858
from Norfolk, Virginia, and her explorations. well
her treatment by President Lopez part of history
But to return in July 1852 the Argentine Confedera
ton acknowledged the Independence of Paraguay and the
latter country declared that her southern boundary should
be the Paan Thus giving up the long claimed sovereignty
the ground known as the ''Mssiones On the ed
Of December 1852, Sir Charles Hoham, the British
voy, arrived at Assumption in the steamer Locust
and was followed by the French envoy, IN. st.
Georgrs,) in the steamer Flambard These gentlemen
accompanied by the diplomatic representative of the
United States, Mr. Pendleton Before three months had
elapsed these three governments thus represented made
treaties of aity commerce. and navigation with Para
quay The treaty with the United States seemed very
fair for both parties, and ratified by the United
States Senate in 1854 and other alterations made
except few verbal ones which corrections Of blum
des in the title Of country "to be attributed ays
MIR Fitzpatrick in his letter appended to President Blu
chanans last eage) entirely to the careessness Of the
representative Of the United States of America The til
ties United States Of North America and the North
longing to country. But 10 and behold no sooner
did an envoy and that envoy Lieutenant Thomas J.
Page present the treaty for ratification In 1854 than the
qibbing President through his Secretary replied with
out the usual marks of common courtesy, that the
communications In English and therefore would
not be received This insulting treatment closed the
diplomacy Of Lieutenant Page. Two years after
ward Mr.. Richard Fitzpatrick presented himself at
Assumption the special commissioner Of the President
Of the United States and In unmistakable Castlian
specially requested the ratification Of the treaty made
Assumption the 18th of March, 1883 The reply to
this request letter from the Paraguayan government
asking for explanations and entering (l complaints
against the Water Witch, which, while in it, quiet
and peaceful work in that portion OF the Parana
der the jurisdiction Of the republic murerousy fired
upon by ParAguayan fort and which President Lopez
had the impudencc tn denoincc 'serious offence
the part of the United States offered by the scandaous
hostities of the commanding officer of the Water Witch
IT, 3. vessel Of war;. And ~ Paraguay demanded
whether the United States would sustain the .clans
states hut snc alleged the secretary, his .un
heard Of insolcnces and cxceses that at last they
called for the snpremc decree revoking his exeuatar
az IT, s. consul II must bc admitted that Mr. Hopkins
Was turned out of tho country and il it had not been
for the presence OF Ieut Page. doubt the II. s.
sui would have suffered severely 1t is to he regretted
that the Water Witch became necessarily involved in
this affair Of Hopkins yet the United States IL 10 it.
sell sustain its dignity. even If IL is sometimes
wanting ts consular representation 1t is also due TO
the respectable men Of Rhode Island who compose the
United States and Paraguay Navigation Company that
their monetary affairs and their alleged losses be IN
yestigatcd.
Lopez finding that the United States special commits
soner would not join the complaints against the
''Water Witch and Hopkins. made his tool, Vasuex,
reply that he Lopez lad fully done his part towards
rxtifying the treaty Of 1852 and not going To sign
new document containing thirty two amendments
msic by the Senate of the United States Miserable
specs 4 plssaaser The amendments tho corrections,
thirty two times, at the terms North American Union
and United states of North America Mr. Fitzpatrick.
with dignity and pluck replied that the treaty made In
March, 1853 i not written in the terms which are en-
pIoye in other treaties between the United States III
America and foreign nations with whom has treated
North American Union, &c, not found in thsac
treaties that al the United States America only Il
used and the Senate of the United States Of America
viii sssusiy amend the language az every treaty with
any nation power previous 10 IFS nhcation -
His excellenoy the President Of the republic could