Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-02
From tho PARAGUAY SQUADRON.

l regret to say that since my last ccmmun'-
cation there has been no addition to our force
in the river. The preblc and Release have
been looked for each day, but i'll vain. at Il
moment also when the stores of the Release
arc in no little demand. if not OF actual ne
cessity. Thus far the organization OF the cX,
petition is completed; the briggs and small
steamers have been put i'll a state ot efficiency
worthy of Il better enemy than the President
of Paraguay. Shell guns of heavy calibro
have been made to supply the lace Of light
batteries of 81 and 24-pounders, whilst arms ot
every description briStlc about the decks and
bctoken expectations Of fight. The arma-
mcnt of the Fulton is four nInc-!nch shell
runs, besides howitzcrs, a battery not to he
dcspiscd by the best Qualifications on the
Paraguay river. The other vessels have
thc''same character Of armament. Addition
nj seamen and marines have been furnished
to each. and all are anxious for the start up
the river. The Dolphin, indeed, has lready
proceeded on her way. the Sabine cheering a.
She passed. The Fulton bearing the Com
modore's flag, will sail tomorrow. The
Water Witch and Perry; and the cambridge
and Harriet Lane, which latter was released
from quarantine yesterday, will weigh an
Choir almost Immediately after
Corricntes. in the province o! the same
name. will he the rendezvous for the vessels
of the expedition, whilst the Fulton will pro-
cecd directly TO Asuncion. The President
of Paraguay may resort to some means "f
preventing the American man-ot-war from
anchoriug off his capital by Offering con-
vcvance of his own to the COMMISSIONER
This, however. will not he accepted, and
there are sufficient precedents to Justify such
refusal.
The question here naturally suggests itself,
Will Judge Bowlin succeed in his mlsslOn?--
That the mission is one of difficulty, and cal
cuated to embarrass. must he admitted by
all who are in any way familiar with its OBJ
jccts and the attending circumstances. The
commissioner himself is sanguine of success
Nv peaceful means. All are not oi the same
opinion. The Seminario dehes the Amcri-
can government to force its demands upon
President Lopez and proclaims Paraguay to
be prepared for war if war there must be-
Yet there are many reasons to suppose that
President Lopez draws broad distinction
between his public declarations and private
opinions. With the low abuse of President
Buchanan and our government that pervades
the columns Of the official organ at AsuncIon,
| doubt not but that the astutc President has
left unsought no mediation that may avert
the threatening storm that Is now last gath
cring around him. This was made evident
i'm the official interview few days since OF
Commodore Shubrick and Commissioners
Bowln with the President of the Banda
Oriental. Sr Percira. His eXcclcncy seemed
to take exceedingly to heart the difficulty be-
tween the Paraguay government and our
selves. His humble services were at our
command, and to mediate i'll any way be-
tween the parties would afford him the sin
ccrcst pleasure. Nor, he added, did he make
the proposition without having authority to
say that such an arrangement would be
agreeable to President Lopez. | doubt not
but that similar advance has been made To
the President of the Argentine con'"dera-
ton. Cen l'rquiza. who. however. ! am AS
sured. will omit no occasion 10 communicate
in the most friendly and cordial spirit with
the commissioner. 1t thus occurs 10 my
mind that our most excellent friend. Sr. Lo-
peg. is seeking the favor of the ncighboring
States To- arrest. If possible, any acts OF hos
tiiity, if not to unite with him i'll rercllng
when necessary, what is called the invading
fleets and armies Of the great Colossus OF
the North. Brazil also, no doubt, is watch
ing our advance with the keeneSt anxiety.
and whilst not daring to openly embrace the
feeble cause Of her eighboriug friend, may
venture i'll some way to cmbarrnss our move
mcnts.
A day or two only after our arrival had
elapsed. when the Brazilian minister very
quietly left herc-rcport says to Paraguay.
to confer with President Lopez, and strong
" to advise him to acccde to Il pcaccablc set
tIcment of our difficulties putting at his DIS
poSal the treasury Of the empire. There is
So much probability in this construction upon
the minister's move, that think it may be
relied upon.
1t is not for us to underrate our enemy.
That he has received ample supplies Of Guns,
ammunition. and ordnance-stores of al
kinds-there can remain no doubt. The for
tiiications ut llumaiti are numerous, and
probably mounted by some guns OF heavy
calibrc-a portion are said to be6 Founders.
The position is exceedingly well choScn--at
Il narrow point Of the river, and command
illr Tie t>ccHt ucS'cHt i'l tNp VI tii'''
miles The batteries are mostly en- barGette,
rs YOU will see from the plan | enclose. pre-
pared by Il person who had the best oppor-
tunity OF making it correct; and unprotect-
ed from the rear-a want supplied by force
of 5000 men. am now assured that
chains and every kind of obstruction are in
preparation to impede the advance Of vessels.
! am confident to say, however, that no ma
tcrIal force at the command of President LO-
peg can arrest the passage Of the Fulton.
There could be no more favorable "pportu-
nifty for ascending the Paraguay than at the
present time. Pilots ust from those waters
report the river high to oyer!iowing, having
indeed damaged some of the Notifications at
lIumaita. The steamer is rapid, and will
make the passage in few days, only stop
ping to coal. or when the navigation is too
intricate to run at night.
Commodore Forrest has determined to re-
main out. notwithstanding the permission
granted him by the Secretary Of the Navy To
return home. Lieut.. Carter has been de-
tached from the Argentina, and ordered to
the Dolphin. The English Admiral, Sir
Stephen Washington, entered the harbor the
other day, and proceeds shortly to the Falk-
land islands. He hopes to return i'll time to
see what he calls the fun"
ILlFTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL. The
the first Wednesday of October. 1858. and close
~, 81; r L.