The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-22
THE WASH3URN MUDDLE
Report OF Captain Kirkland,
Of the Wasp.
Admiral Davis to Accompany Minister
Mcmahon to Paraguay.

WASHINGTON, Now 81, 1868.
the Navy Department is to-day in receipt OF vo-
luminous dispatches from Rear Admiral Davis,
commanding the South Atlantic squadron, giving
full particulars 9th expedition Of the United States
steamer Wasp to Paraguay to relieve Minister Wash
burn, together with letters giving much information
a. to the situation Of AFFAIRS. The dispatches are Of
lSuch nature that they cannot be made public. 1t
may be mentioned however, that nothing appears
no justify the apprehensons expressed in the papers
as to the treatment OF Mr.. Bliss and another member
Of the Legation mr. Masterman y, as win be seen by
the following extract from Commander Kirkland's
1etter:-
Mr.. Washburn and family were received on board
the Wasp on the 10th OF September That vessel re-
mander in the meantime having had friendly inter-
view with Lopez.
On the morning Of the eth, at one O'Clock, ] re-
Washburn. On the 10th September / received on
board from Paraguayan steamer the Hon. Charles
A. Washburn his wife, child, private secretary, man
servant and maid servant On the 18th called on
President Lopez At his headquarters, back OF Veta,
o be % ri reohs h the Unsa
States, deporng, at the same time what ne termed
the unprincipled conduct Of Mr.. Washburn.
thanked him for his feeling towarps the United
States, but decued to discuss the action OF Mr..
Washburn requested him to send vessel with
Brazilian clads, anchored below the batteries at
Ang0stura- This he cheerfully assented to- l feel
bound to add that the ParaguayanS treated This YES
sci in the most hosptable manner furnishing fresh
several occasions In their intercourse with
Ms they were excessively civil. On the
morning of the 18th l received the letter No.
20 from the Paraguayan naval commander, and
left Vieta accompanied by Paraguayan steamer
carrying nag Of truce at the fore, as far as the
-Guardia OF Palma where found the advanced d.
vision OF the Brazilian squadron.
/ Commander Kirkland speaks Spanish as nuently
% English, which some Of our representatives
abroad do not and was thus enabled to conduct all
his negotiations ntelligenty and to arrive at clear
understanding Of the Views Of Lopez.
Rear Admiral Davis, as win be seen from the an
nexed letter, viii accompany our newly appointed
Minister, General Mcmahon, to Paraguay, and 1t
cannot be doubted but that in the hands OF both
these officers the honor and interests Of the United
States will be protected
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP GUERRIEREl
RIO JANIERO, Oct. 20, 1868
SIR have the honor to inform the Department
that have invited General Mcmahon, the Minister
TO Paraguay, and his family to take passage in this
ship to the La Plata. have already said in my CON-
municaton No. 1856, current SERIES that i shall &C
company him to Paraguay. / shall confer freely
with Mr.. WOrthingtOn the Minister to the Argentine
republic and Uruguay, from whom shall, no doubt,
obtain Information which will serve to modify and
mature my plans Of proceeding. l shall keep the
t0ns
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. N. DAVIS,
Rear Admiral Commanding South Atlantic squad
ron.
To Hon. GIDEON WRLLEs Secretary Of the Navy.