Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-04-24
lgrom tue " ssh,nstoo Constitution, Aprii1'l
IMPORTANT GMOM PARAGUAY


1
lin. Of the settlement Of our difficulties
with Paraguay, we are permitted to
nuh,sh extracts from q private letter
received bv the President from that
gentleman las, evening. which gives an
account OF that happy result. The let
ter is highly interesting:
| PARAGUAY COMMISSION,
Assuncion, Feb. 18th, 1859.
| To las E1celiency james buchanan,
President 81 the United States.
Sls II have the honor TO inform
Won that this commission has been en-
luentlv successful, not merely In set
ting all our differences here in peace
iu and friendly manner, but in enlarg-
ing the sphere Of our commercial priv
iIeges in these waters, aud extending
the time OF The treaty, and in such a
way AS to enlist cordial paihics,and
strengthen the bonds Of friendship for
the future.
All this You would find in my dis
patches, and the treaties Themselves
returned bv me to the State Depart
ment :; but as that would impose Ia
borious research, ! have thought prop
er to give you the important points
through the medium of private let
ter.
When | arrived on these waters
things looked gloomy enough.
When we reached Montcvideo all
| seemed distant and cserved-indeed
nnkind. determined to dissolve that
icy reserve, and give them better i'm
preston Of us, and as knew every
sentiment here was rapidly carried in
land throughout the country. The
Commodore and myself, after three
days Of delay, succeeded in procuring
an interview with the President OF +
uguay. 1t was stately and formal, un-
til | convinced him that our purpose
was neither war, desolation nor con
quest. He then threw off his reserve,
and, shaking my hand warmly, express
sed great delight at hearing sue sen
timcnts from me. | observed IN the
crowd of officials around that the Sec
retary OF Foreign affairs was not there.
| therefore, OH the same evening, call s.
ed ,,lvately upon him at his house.
and long interview with him, which
resulted in completely disarming his
hostile feeling. At the beginning he
told me frankly he was the friend of
President Lopez; at the conclusion he
avowcd himself our friend, and, with
nv permission, he would Immediately
"A, visc his friend Lopez of our lofty
and elevated sentiments, and desire for
peace.
When | reached Parana, the capital
of the Argentine confederation, | met
Gen. Urquiza, the President, and had
a long interview him, the tenor of
which is preserved 10y my secretary,
Mr.. Ward, and sent to the State De
partment. Gen. l'rquiza,w who is every
inch soldier, ana who in that inter
view, bv his chiyalorous frankness, had
won rapidly upon my confidence, ten
dercd me his mcdiations, which of
course | was forced to decline, as in
| formed HIM, tor two reasons-tirst, be-
cause my instructions had not antici-
patcd such an event; and second, be
cause two ont of the three points , !.
| difference were points of honor, and a
nation, no more than an individual,
could arbitratc its honor. But assur-
red him that, whilst was compelled
to decline his mediation as the bearer
of the olive branch, and knowing the
views of the Administration, and its
anxiety for an amicablc bus honorable
adjustment of these unhappy diilicul-
ties, should feel grateful to him for
any kind offices he might employ in
carrying out these peaceful views. AS
closed these remarks the General,
with kind of electric spontan,cty,--
sprang from his seat, and, striking his
breast iicrcely with his hand, said /:
am Il soldier, but a men of peace and,
as a friend OF peace, and as ,.icnd Of
vour government, | accept yonr invita-
ton, and will meet you at Ascuncion.
reached here on the oath January
and Gen. urquiza had anticipated me
several DAYS. Within an hour after
our arrival, and before left the vess
Senior Amaral, the Brazilian minister,
called upon me and offered mcdiations
in behalf of his Emperor. | declined
it for the reasons above, and invited
his friendly offices in like manners s :
surfing him of our desire for peace and
friendship, if we could have them
with honor. He warmly accepted my
invitation for his friendly offices.
Our consul called directly after, and
| came ashore with him. Everything
looked cold and distant. The people
seemed not to know how to behave to-
wards me, and gazed at me as they
would upon an evil thing cast among
them. The first thing did on shore,
as my position was doubtful, was to
address note to Senior Nasque, Sec
rotary of State, &c., informing him of
my presence in Ascuncion, and desir-
ing HIM to fix time tc see me, that
We might arrange an interview with
the President. lie promptly replied,
and we met next morning. We had a
pleasant interview, and fixed time
for the Presidents reception for the
next day after.
Soon after my arrival learned from
General Urqulza that would be cor
daily and kindly received by the
President. This information induced
me to abandon the dress had prepar-
ed. briefly reviewing all the points OF
difference and maintaining our position