The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-28
p A r A q U Az.


Interesting Historical Descriptions OF the
Republic-The spanish Yoke Shaken
or by rtigas-Dr. Franeia and Presi-
dent Carlos Antonio Lopez-Dfmculties
with the United states Under Polk's
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS American Conn
morcial Company and It's Baflure-
Damages Claimed, and Humatat
Threatened by United states Fleet
Mixed Commission Appointed TO As
sess the Injuries NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Buchanan's Refusal to Approve the
Award-sketch OF the Present President
OF Paraguay-Origin OF the Dimcuity
With Brazil-Enect Of the Late Naval
Defeat-Rumorod Intention OF Italian
Intervention In the Contest, &C., &c.
The contest now going ON On the Plate, already sig /
nazed by the defeat Of the Paraguayan feet by the Bra
zans and the OF the Paraguayan land forces is
likely TO be continued for some time longer Conse-
quently new interest has been excited in regard to
country whose existence has almost been forgotten In the
United States since the year 1850, when claims on
behalf Of Rhode Island trading company against the
government OF Paraguay were nullhed by the report OF
Cave Johnson which report published in full by the
HERALD at tho time, and is historical and political
curiosity
DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY.
Paraguay, as is well known, is country Of South
America lying between the Parana and Paraguay rivers
bounded north and east by Brazil with which 1t is now
at war, and south and west by the Argentine Republic
is said to contain forty three thousand square miles
and five hundred thousand inhabitants Tho climate is
mild and healthy and the productions various and abun
dant One Of its specaltics Is the Paraguay tea or
matte prepared from the leaves Of species of holly
having taste like the Chinese herb and in great demand
in South America. II has usually been collected pre-
pared and sold for account of the government and is
q considerable article of export Cotton, rice and
sugar. tobacco drugs and fine woods for cabinet
also abundant.
THE FIRST AMERICAN EXPEDITION.
In short, il was represented to be so productive
country by English well as American travellers, and
so well worthy of being explored and made known to the
commercial world that an expedition was recommended
by the American Geographical Society of New York to be
undertaken by our government for the survey and expo
ration OF the Paraguay river and its tributaries about
which there felt great anxiety in the scientific and
commercial world. To this duty Lieutenant Page was
assigned by the Navy Department, having boon pre-
vously selected for similar exploration in the Chinese
seas which, however, never carried out. A very
interesting account of this expedition published by
the Harpers This gentleman, after very honorable
career in the United States Navy and figuring largely in
the subsequent expedition Paraguay when satisfaction
was demanded for alleged wrongs to the citizens of this
country-carred away like other Virgnians in the SER
vice by false estimates of their duty to the State Of their
birth in preference to the Uniontook service in the
rebel navy, and finally obtained command Of the IRON
clad stonewall Jackson and after making fruitless
cruise in the Atlantic, abandoned his ship in the harbor
Of Havana, without firing q gun.
THE HISTORY or PARAGUAY.
Paraguay was discovered by Sebastian Cabot, tho
4grand pilot Of England 50 called IN 1870 and was
who established in the country forty missions, the gov
eminent being conducted by provisional governor aud
board of cOunseors Besides Paraguay their territory
embraced the River Plate and the adjoining sections
They would not permit European to enter their terri
tory; they erected and maintained forts aud armed
force, and monopolized the entire commerce Of the
In i75s When Spain coded seven Of these missions to
Portugal the Jesuits resisted nsteated the natives to
take up arms and riskcd an engagement wthe Spanish
and Portuguese troops, and were defeated They were
from Portugal in 1850, and from Spain in 1857
Paraguay remained subject to Spain until 1870 when
Plata excited by the popular movements taking place in
Venezuela succeeded in establishing provisional unta,
government, under the leadership OF bold adven-
turcr named Arigas and after six years OF struggling
and confusion Plata republics attained force and
consistency The juna of Bucnos Ayres sent body Of
troops under General Begano, to Paraguay to dep0se
its Spanish Governor, but forced to retreat The
people, however took the matter into their 0wnhand,
and dcpoeing the Governor formed unta Of their own,
the government being nomnay carried under Fcrdi
nand VII This was in 1872. In 1913 they declared
Paraguay republic and with an apparent reference 70
cia and Ycgros. This Franca proved to be an ex
traordnary character Az the end Of the irs year on
for three years. and afterwards by several successive
appointments President for life In 1925 he declared
Paraguay independent and the next year this net was
recognised by Don Pedro, then Emperor of Brazil.
DIR. FRANCIA.
Dr. Francia as he s called u iyrant in his govern
ment absolute in fact, and OF most determined char
actcr Yet he introduced industry the arts and good
order among his Subjects aud appeared TO am at their
welfare az he considered IT, His treatment OF Bonpland,
throughout Europe and for nine years. the period of the
latters detention there II rang with denunciaons oil the
outrage The life and acts OF FranGs were gwen 70 .e
suffered Mt his hands, and public opinion sat strongly
against him ever afterwards. Two Swiss surgeons,
Rengga aud Long Champs published work in Paris In
1897, violently assaing him, and Carlyle in the Edn-
burg Review in 1S43, reviewed his career in remark
aide article
CARLOS ANTONIO LOPEZ.
DR. Francia succeeded by the late President Carlos
Antonio Lopez, who for time had coadjutor in the
government OF whom, however, he contrved very soon
TO get rid. He very early displayed disposition in
many respects initiate the peculiar policy OF Franca
absolutely He was personally man OF large frame and
intelligent countenance he lived in considerable sate
apart from his wife and family, who rather visited him
than resided with him. His great object was to Keep
Paraguay out OF all South American difficulties, and 10
amass wealth for himself and his family His dicuities
with the United States arose chiefly out OF the following
circumstanccs:-
ORIGIN OF LoPEz's DIFFICULTIES WITH TIRE UNITED
STATES.
An American commercial agent appointed by PRESIDENT
Polk went TO Paraguay and speaking the spanish language
perfectly and being OF vivacous and enteprsing turn
OF mind formed the idea Of establishing commercial
company to monoposc tho commerce OF Paraguay. and
10 that end was undoubtedly encouraged by the Para
guayan government TO make the attempt For tins pur.
pose the agent Mr.. Hopkins visited France put iaing
In his object there came TO New York and made MS views
public IN address delivered before tho Geographical
Society," which published in lis bulletin accompanied
by map
THE AMERICAN COMMERCIAL COMPANY.
After short time company formed, composed
chiefly of men Of fortune, IN Rhode Island. steamer
was purchased, several sailing vessels loaded ana
chartered, a variety of machinery adapted TO the
manufacture OF the natural products OF the
country forwarded, costly presents 10 the Pre-
and mechanics with intelligent oversccrs, sent out with
the expedition The steamer never reached her dcstina
ton, but wrecked and abandoned IN Brazilian port
on her way out Nevertheless the best part ofthe out
Ais reached the capital OF Paraguay, Asuncon and the
Americans were received with immense cordiaity.
land was secured sawm and tobacco factory erected
I'll co,,,nanr nj home ont small senmera