The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-28
THE PARAGUAY EXPEDITION.

guay-Its Navy-NavigatiOn OF the R1vcrS-
Polhssca1 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., &c.
At the htest advices from the United States Naval Ex
pedion 10 Paraguay-of which the Brazil squadron forms
portionhe several vessels ordered for that service
were at the following paces-The Sabine steam frgate
and flag SHIP sailed from Bermuda on the 9th Of Novem
ber The storeshp Supply, which sailed from this port
spoken November o. in lat 1881, lon "a So; the
soreshp Release which sailed from here the LIST No
vember, spoken in lat % north lon $40, on the
2sd Of that month the Southern Star sailed from
Brbadoes November 20; the steamers Westernport At
hnta and NJ W. Chaplin were at the place the
24th December, and the Memphis on the 2Svh; the
steamer Caledonia left sThomas with Gen. Paez board
for Cumana, 10 60 from thence 10 Paraguay; the s0op
Preble which left November 49, spoken the 9th
In lat 2426 norh Ion. 1914 the steamers Fulton and
Water Witch sailed from Pernambuco November 26, and
khe steamer Metacomet from Key West December 80.
On the 29h Of November the frgate ST. Lawrence flag
ship Of the Brazil squadron together with the sloop Fal
mouth and the brigs Perry and Banbridge at Mon
tevideo. The Harriet Lane taking in coal at
Rio Janeiro on the 10th Of December.
Such the progress made towards their destination by
the various vessels engaged the Expedition to Paraguay
when last heard from. By this time is probable that
some Of them have approached pretty close TO the
rendezvous
Paraguay, called republic by the geographers occupies
central poston in South America in length about six
hundred miles and in breadth about two hundred with
pleasant climate numerous rivers and valuable produc
Mons, aud is Well known, al least 70 the curious, for M
having been ruled by two despots, in the persons
Fancia and Lopez both pursuing remarkable policy Of
isolation very similar that of China several interest
ing accounts Of been published from the pens Of
desenas and diplomatic agents, and TO have
valuable report Of the more recent observations made by
Captain Page during his survey in the Water WITCH of
the Paraguay and some Of its tributaries.
In the meantime, likely be engaged in ac-
tive operations against it for unredressed grievances,
which likely to be followed by amicabie
tons, and possibly renewed intercourse, the following
notes may be interesting those whose attention is at
acted towards the movements Of squadron and the
diplomatic efforts Of Commissioner Bowlin They
plies to questions addressed to Consular Agents. in
tbc order made
In the first place. may be remarked that the coastng
trade is not permitted TO foreigners.
In 1852 four fatboats were built at Asuncion, and
brig Of 200 tonsthe former carry lumber 10 Buenos
Ayres.
The timber used for shipbuidng is black laurel for
plankng apacho and peeIever for decks cedar These
woods plentiful but prepared with difficulty the
people not having proper implements for saving and cut
ting. No imported wood is used in Paraguay. The
Of lumber $l6e &c per thousand feet and pre-
pared by hand. valuable and costly steam sawmil
first set by the American Company, and destroyed
by Lopez.
Bar is III from to II cents per b. No copper
faseppgs used, copper sheathing. No methods
taken for seasoning ship timber Lopez has timber
yard from which he sells what he likes and at his
prices There private repositories of any kind The
material for cauking is obtained from a native plant,
caragust equal and similar to hemp of which the cost
article Of commerce. could be delivered and sold in
this city at SIO0 per ton. Peanut OIL alow, and cca
resin used to pay the seams. The standing and
running rigging commonly set up is about equal
10 what Is used in badly rigged topsail schooner.
sails generally made from American cotton purchased
at Buenos Ares and Montevideo There is peculiary
Of Ig in the river craft Small iron anchors and chains
used the steering apparatus clumsy and nappropr
ate. The vessels are, however built strongly, and are
quite safe They dull saers, but carry large deck
loads, and last for great number of years. The ship
wrights either natives Cataonans, and they
about fifty cents day, without board There are no
shpyards docks unless they have been
very recently Vessels built the river banks,
launched sideways There are no marine railways,
there any proper tools used in shpbudng, with
The country possesses great variety Of dyewoods, o
fine ooors, which could be prohtaby exported to the
United States There Is regular charge per for
building vessels the price determined by circumstances
There official papers documents of a statistical
character published by the government. Commerce
the decline 1882 but has lattery improved since the
AmercaneomIany entered the country Properly speak
ing there is such class Of persons seamen in Para
quay and the boatmen used in the river craft and gun
boats better 1T TO plant than navigate vessels
Their wages one dollar and fifty cents per month.
An ordinary consists Of six men with captain,
pilot, mate and river pilot. The regular pilot takes
charge Of the vessel between port and port standing at
the bows and giving the course by pointing with his hand
River piIo,age understood practised with
There code Of laws relating to seamen, either recog
MIXING them the Of the State distinct body
Of citizens there consequently any asylums or
hospitals for their relief when sick disabled super
animated. They have sprit OF adventure whatever
and picked up wanted along Shore Their food Is
under regulation whatever. There such thing,
even in the Paraguay navy, hxed ration. In the gun
boat squadron, II may be termed such, is allow
cd daily TO each my men-a pretty liberal allowance IL
the large ours, and quantum nGieit of
corn mandoca tobacco yerba matte oranges and
melons. No wine spirits Of any kind is allowed. As
regards the punishment inflicted upon these amphbous
seamen, it is only necessary say that they the
discretion Of the master. Their numbers the in
crease by the number Of steam.
sail from Asuncon, and upwards Of iorty-a 1--we
sai-mosi Of them foreign cras-werc recently at one
time IN tha, pOss rigid blockade would destroy the
river trade. No wages paid by Lopez 10
his sailors, except when his pleasure 70 do Navi
gaton science is quite unknown, either in the naval
merchant service exceYs has been taught them
by French, Engkh or Americans temporarily his
vice is said that Consul Hopkins, formerly officer
the United States navy, while resident United States
agent among the Ageutucs, 1rs, rigged a vessel for
Lopez, man-ofwar fashion. Recently number Of English
captains have served under Lopez In his incipent steam
navy, but not without thorough disgust and finally taking
French leave. The natives have neither charts buoys
mathematical instruments, lighthouses. They ioa
down the Paraguay when the wind north, and sail up
when is sosh. The foreign trade Of Paraguay Is
fined to the ports Of the Argentine
Ayres and Uruguayand there occasional be-
tween the Parana and Uruguay rivers. Ual the