The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-08

arisen with Paraguay, there are other points Of
difference that have existed ever since the partial
ratification of the treaty of 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 the Argentine Confederation, but upon all the
turbulent little Republics of South America
may have had its influence upon our Government
in sending out Commissioner to Paraguay. SUD-
ported by sufficient force to prevent a repetition
of previous insults, and evidence of our deter
mination henceforth to vndcate promptly the honor
of our flag and to bring our Just claims to an imme-
date settlement by peaceful negotiation, if that be
possible, or by resort to arms if force should be
found necessary. Viewed in this light the expedi-
ton now about to set SAIL even if it does not have
occasion to fire a single hostile gun will in all
probability, productive of very beneficial results
In the plan of operations adopted by our Govern
ment 1t is understood that the Fleet will make its
rendezvous at Buenos Ayres, while Commissioner
BowLIN pushes on to Asuncion in a small steam
er, which is to be followed up, within supporting
distance by all the other vessels of light draught
Ii he fails to obtain from the government of LOPEZ
null and immediate satisfaction, ''the squadron
will be put in motion, and all vessels drawing
IRON 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 a vigorous
"bockade of the Paraguay" If therefore Pres
dent LOPEZ refuses to consent to the terms de-
manded of him, and active operations become
necessary, the chief dependence will be upon the
steamers accompanying the expedition, for the
heavier vessels OF war, while engaged in block
aiding the mouth ofthe Parana, will be as far dis
tant from Asuncion, the Capital of Paraguay
and the point against which hostile demonstra-
ton would be made, as 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
Paraguay will be amicably adjusted without a
resort to force LOPEZ has submitted before to II
less imposing demonstration made by Brazil and
caphous and insolent 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 Republic
can in form, the government of Paraguay is, in
point Of fact, almost as absolute despotism as it
was in the days of DR.. FRANcIA. From
the period of his ascension to power,
the ruling policy of LOPEZ has been
to engross to himself the whole trade and COM
merce of the country; and in this he has been so
far successful that at the present time he is ''the
''chef merchant; the chief agriculturst, and the
''chief ship-owner OF Paraguay" The mere
blockade, therefore, of the mouth of the Parana,
by cutting off all communication with the sea-
board, and thus breaking up his commercial
operations, would, in all probability, prove
sufficient of itself to induce him to offer salts
factory atonement for his past acts of insult and
aggression; but under the double pressure of
blockading squadron, and an armed flotla, ready
at any moment to commence hostities, we may
safely conclude that he will promptly concede
all that Commissioner BowLIN is authorized to de-
mand. Indeed, it would be scarcely possible for
him to do otherwise. Exclusive of the Guarani
Indians, the total population of Paraguay does
not exceed three hundred thousand. Asun-
cion the Capital of the Republic, and its principal
port has not more than ten thousand inhabitants,
nearly all of whom are Mestizoes, or descendants
of Spaniards and Indians. The whole merchant
marine of the State consists of but about dozen
vessels, averaging each some forty TONS while the
entire naval force at the command of the Govern
ment is composed of one small brig and two
steamers of light draught. We need not, there
fore, be under much apprehension of coming into
conflict with power so feeble, Notwithstanding
the preparations we have made in view of such
possibility; but cannot conceal from our
selves the fact that the delays which have
occurred in fitting out the expedition to Paraguay,
and the shifts to which we have been compelled to
resort for the purpose of obtaining vessels of suf-
GENTLY light draught to navigate the waters of the
Parana and the Paraguay, afford convinc-
ing proof-if indeed such proof were required-of
our own naval deficiencies. From the want of a
supply of gun boats ready to be dispatched at the
shortest possible notice to any point where their
services might be needed, we have been reduced to
the necessity of chartering merchant steamers to
fill, however inadequately their place. and of
even withdrawing the Revenue cutter Hrriet
Lane from her useful duties off the Coast The
last session of Congress very properly authorized
now remains for Secretary ToUcEY in his next off
cal Report to urge upon that body the Importance
of making some provision for an adequate tlotilla
of gunboats Our experience in China and in
South America admonishes US how much we stand
in need of them: while the example set us by for
eign powers, shows the uses to which these active
little vessels can be put, and how serviceabe they
are regarded.