The New York herald., 1866-03-20

antecedens of their native province with their usual
valor and decision, win contribute new aures 70 the
invncble banner Of the Argentine republic, and fresh
garland 70 the civic crown OF tie country.
Comrades March 10 the vanguard, and take tho post
saSs cs ccess xSo from he % showed you the
path Of honor in facing the toe, and by following
point with their swords to the fields where
glory is to be won, prove yourselves worthy
Of the nsx crusade on which you are apoa, to embark
OF your families, the applause OF your fellow citizens
and the special esteem Of government
For my part promise TO be with You In the hours Of
trial and Of victory and already hail you conquerors
with the watchword-
Viva 10 nacon Argentina Viva la provincia do Corri-
mE PARAGuAYAS FORCES
OF course all in ormaion respecting the Paraguayan
forces must be extremely vague Here is the rea re
st:mate:-Presdent Lopez at Humata, with forces
variousiy estimated The Paraguayan feet, consisting
OF fifteen small steamers and one hundred canoes,
where between Humata aud the fres Bocas. The Tor
tress OF Hunaita defended by hundred guns,
surrounded with stockades Small forces along the Pa
rama, nt itapvin Itapua &c Other detachmens at Asn
cion, Coimbra and Curumba
ANOTHER INSTANCE BRITISH NEUTRALITY.
have already mentioned the iron-cad steamer Miner
va. She arrived here on the 18th ut In thirty days
from Liverpool having called at four places her way
She is the workmanship Of the rcdoubtabe Messr Laird
Co, OF Alabama notorety, who built her for the Bra
tons burhen hundred and seventy eight feet long
thirty Ave feet wide, and eleven feet depth OF hold.
When ready for she draws only eight feet OF water
one hundred and twenty FOUNDER Whworth rihed guns
She is propelled by double propeller which gives
her the advantage Of turning round In her swn length,
which will be Of immense convenience for the narrow
Of Paraguay. Her engines OF hundred and
forty horse power She Is armed with iron plates
of four and half inches in the centre taper
ing to two inches at both ends, from
to eight inches Of teak. Her average speed Is from
nine to ten knots Thus have these stall virtu
ally usurping the prerogative of their sovereign, and
practically declaring war against an independent nation
their own responsibility. II is amazing that the
British government with due regard 70 its own dignity,
has not yeL suppressed such nuisance II would not
require much ingenuity the part Of those long
men, the law officers Of the crown TO make out OF
msprision u treason, not high treason itse II they
were only willing TO do SO.
TiE NATIONAL GUARD SYSTEM.
Much dissatisfaction Is expressed In respect TO the law
which forces between certain 10 serve In
the National Guard, and a the manner In which these
can be and drafted into the regular army during
time OF As the law stands every eleventh member
OF the National Guard 10 liable 10 in the regular
army--a system that leads 70 much abuse fragrant
case In point occurs TO me.
COMPULSORY VOLUNTEER.
Ono OF the drafting officers made overtures OF an i'm
proper nature 70 young woman, who acquainted her
brother resented the indigny offered to his sister with
becoming spirit, upon which the officer compelled him
TO volunteer 10 in the regular army and the young
only escaped this queer OF volunteer service by
paying three hundred dollars for q substitute.
There other vexatious matters connected with the
National Guard system, such as compelling men to for
camp. An instance Of the kind rrred the other day.
when there terrible lg than occurred
BY "our armyp In FIanden One gentleman 10 particu.
board. New York regiments Of miIiiia-bcr pardon
National Guards occasionally encamp n the delightful
locality OF Staten Island for week but they do
when number Of men compusory ordered 70 enjoy
themselves.
close this letter with the injunction to look out for
some startling intelligence ere long