New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-28

PARAGUAY IN A COMPLETE STATE OF
DEFRNSE-LOPEZ AND BRITISH OFF,
GERS DEFY THE UNITED STATES SQUAD
RON.
The steamship Alhambrs arrived at Southampton,
England On the 18th inst with the mail, from BIsI1
ard the river Plata.
The dates are Buenos AyIes the 2sth and Monte
yideo the 3lst of December, RIO Janero the ah,
Bahia the 18th ard Pernambuco the 10Th OF JAunHy.
The Paraguay ans had 80 strongly fortified the nyef
that nGs not erpcced he Am6r'cdRS r0HId sneefd 70
any rGrlke attempt tkty Sghs MAKE. IL vas said ta,t
a number Of English officers were assisting the ara
euavsns The latter had also ttr0rE erery s6seeN ~
he tcay or us URlicd States squadron ascending ne
,trfr Many Of the Americans ships of war, from
their draught of water would be Unable to proceed up
the river The American squadron CONSISTED Oh nieea
Fyosa ts> Liropoel Ti~a Feb Il
Accounts from Rio state that the Paraguay RIVER
and forts well fortified that II was propsoe
The Americans would be defeated.
Vast quantities OF rain had fallen AZ Rio, and TIE
streets were inundated. portion OF the runway ntd
been damaged BY the rains. IL was ieaTed thst yeo"
fever would shortly make ITS appearance d. Mo hoin
the want of sanitary measures.
When the Avon left Bahia great fire was rsgtg
there II bad extended to the Exchange Gnd oiner
public buildings 1t was feaftd that very extensive
damage would be done. Property to tue value OF
s2O0, coo had been destroyed.
By the packet bark Antagonist, Cspt. CroNell,
arrived yestercsy we have sdyices to Jan. !. bas-
lees generally remained very quiet.
Tie L. S Com ssioner aud Commodore SaubTieS
proceeded up the river to hod interview with Pres-
dent Lopez on the lst. They left in the L. s. brgs
Dolphin and Perry, who would be taken In toS o. the
forks of the river by the steamers Fulton ana wafer
Witch The remainder of the fleet were al Monteviaeo
TEE Paraguay steamer Maouelita bad 8 week pre-
yously gone up with chain, TO be placed aaross tse
river TO prevent all vessels fom passing. A French
and English stesmer had sso gone up, and It vas snP'
posed the latter would make demand on Lopez, for
indemnity. in the case Of a British schooner latsly
seized by him.
1t was generally thought by impartial and well
informed persons that the aeet sent ont from here
entirely sdsquste and Inefficient that, in fact, an
engage ent took place our force would be beaten.
This opinion is arrived at in view of the facts that bat
four or five of our feet can End the river owing 10
the shallow water and TO proceed in boats the neoss-
sary distance. in q most unhealthy climate, with tae
air infected with deadly malaria and infested with
insects of all annoying kinds, would be destruchvsto
the en- and when arriving a. the head Of the nver
on sudden turn they come in view OF two iofis one
of which mounts l0l heavy guns, manned by mon
well trained by British ard French agents and Of W.
doubted courage, judging by their battles with the
Bueros Ayreap'
1t is said Lopez has 10000 men under arms, and
well disciplined.
The previous report Of the immense strength OF tie
fortfc, ors at the head Of the liver is not strictly
correct but there is no doubt formidable resistance
will be made.