Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-12-03
THE RUTLAND HERALD,
MONDAY, NOVEMBER so, isas,
The Paraguayan Go,ernmcnI ana
the Ix-t uited states Minister

The taraE uaban eoNstnh'H' anu
the lx-t uited states n'ni>ter,
Tho difficulties between American It'll
tcu. in Paraguay and that goNrmmen'
/, little understood by the ,hor, para
graphs and sensational Tumor, that havt
Teen hitherto published in the news
prints \ great deal Of false sympathy
ha, been expressed in the American press
fF Lopez and the Psraguayan lsdians'
because they have been attacked by Bra
al, I raguay AMI the Argentine Republic,
Gar late Minister 20 that country. Mr.
Washhurp, has been hastily condemned
t,r leaving tho country while two OF the
liH-ls, ui his Legation remained prison
rrs in the hands Of the Dictator LOPEZ,
This Indignation appears 70 have been
ui,,la- 4, from the later and fuller intel.
liscnse which has just been received from
Bucnos Ayres ~ the State Department in
relation Z, the differences between the
parties rno brazilian papers have
stopped their attacks on the ex.Minister
- the facts became known, J. Watson
Webb, United States Minister TO Brazil,
has written letter To the Anglo.Bralilian
Times, warmly defending Mr. Washburn,
who, he declares, has discharged his duty
faithfully, under very trying circum-
stances Mr. Bliss, another American,
saws that Mr., Washburn insisted on the
rights Of the Legation, aud did all that
could be appropriate under the circum.
stances.
The Buenos Ayres Standard says the
conduct Of Mr.. Washburn throughout
the whole fearful time was humane, gen.
erous and self-sacrifcing, and that the
abuse he is now receiving is for other rea-
sons than those alleged. A letter from
Rio says: mo doubt the course pursued
by Mr., Washburn was the only one posi-.
bio TO a man who, 10y that time, had
perfect acquaintance with Lopez, was ca.
pNble Of doing"
Mr.. Seward takes tho position that it is
enough tina, they were American citizens
and has asked Secretary Welles to instruct
Rear Admiral Davis, in command Of the
South Atlantic squadron of the United
States navy, TO proceed at once with an
adequate force to Paraguay, and protec,
tho lives of citizens Of the United States
who are threatened by Lopez.
M 70 A.. 4 -
ing extract from the interesting and
thrilling letter of Mr.. Washburn, dated
Buenos Ayres, October -, 1868, which
has just been received at Washington
II gives full history of the transaction,
description Of the true character and
purpose of Lopez, and is a full vindica-
ton of himself
You may have seen the late correspond
ence | have had with Lopez. When you
consider that the men for whom | was
hghting were eleven educated gentlemen,
ana that when they left il WAS like going
10 the guillotine, and that toward the last
1t appeared that no exception would be
made III my favor; that should probably
be put to death by torture; that my wife
and child would be sent on foot to
the mountains, To die of want and expos
ure, you may judge something of our last
two months in Paraguay. Though We es-
capped, never did persons quit n country
with heavier hearts. We felt that all our
friends, all that had shown us any partic-
ular kindness, would, for that reason, be
put to torture or death by Lopez. His
plan Is that OF vicarious punishment If
he cannot vent his rage on person in his
power, his plan Is TO confscate the prop
erty Of his relatives, reduce them to beg
gary, and subject them to torture. Pow
crlcss at last 10 serve any human being,
my residence was surrounded by police
and spies, no person, foreign or native,
daring to visit us You will understand
how we dread to think of all the friends
I'VE left behind as victims OF the revenge
and cowardiee of blood-thirsty tyrant
Lopez is made furious with his appoint
ment, and conscious that his cause is lost,
and as his career has been but series Of
ntamies, he now seems intent on destroy
nag the witnesses and blotting out his rec
ord. lie Is the greatest coward ever
known, and it was only through fear that
he let me 90. When Captain Kirkland,
of the Wasp, in response TO his threat
that he intended to hold on to me, told
him that if he dared to touch me our
Government would have his head if il
had to hunt him through all Christendom
he then concluded to let me depart. For
his conduct, RS you will perceive, de-
h"'nced him AZ the common enemy to the
huInA. raga.apl nnra,r,,a,, 40 I, =,
, pa!e 81 9ilized nations
am remat.iuu here 10 seq what can he
zone 10 save 'he i"rsons seized by Lopez
No ''ioi' VI MINT h''' been or will be
spared to rescue the unfor ,na,e man who
were torn from me under ci.,umstarca.
Of such peculiar atrocity. For rom
kept myself in the power and endured 4, -
hostility of the worst living man FOR
them most 'oheerfully sacrificed health,
comfort, and fortHne, aud endured per.e.
cution and insult. did all that Was in
my power to do. Ny house was crowded
with fugitiyes. and shared with them all
had, and in all tho horrors of the situa-
ton. All parted from me with the deep
est feelings II gratitude. Had the Wasp
been at Asuncion when Bliss and Master
.on were seized by an overpowering force
and dragged away from me while on nv
way from the steamer, | am certain that
Captain Kirkland would have PROMPTLY
responded TO my request and opened on
the town, but, AS you are aware, Lopez
bad kept her below the Notifications, a
league below Ascuncion, in order TO have
he at his advantage, of course, in tn,
street, with my wife and child, / could
offer no resistance to that outrage upon
NY flag
Wy diplomatic powers had been sur.
rendered, and could not resume them
had no longer house, nor home, nor pro.
lection. | could have surrendered nv
family, unprotected, and put them on the
Paraguayan steataef.. Tho Pic Ana ,,a