, 1868-12-18

Valley of the La Plata has been sssidiously COM
piled with and kindly acknowledged by all the
bellgerents. These important negotiations have
been thus far without result. Charles A. Wash
burne. late U. S. Minister to Paraguay, having
resigned, and being desirous to return to the
United States, the Rear Admiral commanding
the South Atlantic Squadron, was ordered 10
send a ship of war to the Capital of Paraguay to
receive Washburne and bis family and remove
them from a situation which was represented TO
be dangerous from the factions and foreign war
The Brazilian commander of the allied inVa'
ding forces refused permission to the wasp 70
pass through the blockading feet and that Vessei
returned to its accustomed anchorage hemon-
STRANGE having been made against this REFUSAL IL
was promptly overruled and the Wasp thereupon
resumed her errand, receiving Masbburnei Ano
conveyed him and bis family to safe and con,
yeuient port. In the meantime an excited con-
troyersy had arisen between the President OF
Psrarnav and the late United States Minister,
which. it is understood, grew out OF bis pros
ceedings 10 giving asylum at the U. 5. Legation
10 alleged enemies of that Republic. The ques-
tion of the right to give asylum is one always
difficult to determine, aud often productive oil
great embarrassment. In States well organized
and established, foreign powers refuse either to
concede or exercise that right except TO persons
actually belonging 10 the diplomatic service
Ou the other hand, all such persons insist upon
exercising the right of asylum in States where
the law Of nations is not fully Acknowledged,
resnected and obeyed. The President of Para
guay is understood to have been opposed to
Wasbburne's proceedings. The injurious and
very improbable charge is made OF personal
completely in insurrection and treason. Inc
correspoudence, however, has not yet reached
the United States. Washburne, in connection
with this controversy, represents that United
States citizens. attached TO the Legation, were
arbitrarily seized at bis side when leaving the
capital OF Paraguay, committed to prison and
. there subjected 10 torture ;Or the purpose OF
procuring a confession of their own crimInalIy
and testimony to support the present allegation
against the United States Minister. Mr.. Mema'
hen, the newly appointed Minister to Paraguay,
having reached the La Plata, has been Instructed
to proceed without delay to ASCENSION 10 inves-
tgate the whole subject. The Rear Admiral
commanding the United States South Atlantic
squadron has been directed to attend the new
MiIister with proper naval force TO sustain
such just demands as the occasion may require,
aud TO yindicate the rights Of the United States
citizens referred to, and Of any others who may
be exposed to danger at the theatre of war.
With these exceptions, friendly relations have
been maintained between the United States and
Brazil and Paraguay. Our relations during the
past year with Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile
have been especially friendly and cordial. Spain
and the Republics Of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador
have expressed their willingness to accept the
mediation Of the United States for tel eliminating
the war on the South Pacific coast. Chile has
not finally declared upon the question. In the
meantime, the conflict has practically exhausted
itself, since no belligerent or hostile movement
has been made by either party during the last
two years, and there is no indication of a pres
ent purpose 10 resume hOStiiilies on either side
Great Britain and france have Cordially seconds
ed our proposition of mediation, and | do mot
forego the hope thatit may soon be urccepted bv
all the belhgerents and lead to Il secure estab>
lshment OF peace aud friendly relations between
the Spanish American Republics OF the Pacific
and SpaIa, result which would be attended
with common benefits to the belligerents and
much advantage TO all Commercial nations.
communicate for the Consideration of Cor,,ross
a CORES pondence which shows that the Roiivi,n
Republic has established the extremely liberal
principle of receiving into iu citizenship any
citizen of the United States 0. of ary otber ~
the American Republics, upon tie simple couai.
ton Of voluntary registry, The correspondence
submitted will be found painfully replete with
accounts Of the ruin and wretcheduess produced
by the recent e-rshquakeS of unparalleled severity
in tb- republics OF Peru, Ecuador and BoIivis
Tue diplomatic agents and naval officers of the
United States, who were present in these conn
tries AT the time of the disasters furnished all
the relief in their power TO the sufferers and
were promptly rewarded with grateful and toucb,
lug Acknowledgements by the Congress of Perm
Au appeal to the charity of our fellow citizans
has ben answered by much liberaity. In this
connection, submit an appeal which has been
made by the Republic, whose Government is
kindred TO our own 10 behalf of its Inhabitants
,phn guHariur
recent devastation and inundations. Our rela
tions with Mexico during the year have been
marked by an Increasing growth Of commerce
The Mexican Government has ratified the three
treaties negotiated here last summer for estah.
fishing the rights of naturaized citizens upon a
liberal and Just basis, for regulating consplar
powers aud tor the adjustment of mutual claims
All commercial nations as well as friends of
Republican institutions, have reason TO repret
the frequent local disturbances which occur IN
some Of the States OF Columbia. Nothing has
occurred, however, to affect the harmony and
cordial friendship which has, for several wears
existed between that youthful and vigorous Re-
public and our own.
Negotiations are pen5ing with a view TO the
survey and construction OF a ship canal across
the lsthmus Of DGrien, under the auspices of
the United SIatesJ hope to be able to submit
the result Of those negotiations to the Senata
during the present session. The very liberal
treaty-which Mas entered into last year bv the
Unitgd States and Nicaragua has been rati6ed
by the latter Republic. Costa Rica. with the
earnestness of a friendly neghbor, solicits a
reciprocity of trade. which | commend TO the
consideration of Congress. The copyention
caused by the treaty between the United States
and Venzuela, in July, 1865, for the mutual adj
justment of claims, has been held and contnuni
cations have been received Atthe Department of
State that the heretofore recognized law having
been impaired under circumstances which prom.
ise durability it has been recognized. | have
been reluctantly obliged to ask explanation and
satisfaction for injuries committed by the Presi
deut~of the Republic of Hayt. The politieal
condition Of Hayti and ST. Domingo is yerv nm.
satisfactory aud painful. Tue abolition of slav.
cry, which has been carried into effect tbropgb,
out the Island and the entire West Indies eycsn,
the Spanish Islands of Cuba and Por,o RE- r.
been followed by profound popular eonviction
Of the righuulness Of republican iusti,ntions aos
an intense desire TO secure them. The oi,smr, -
establish Republics there encounters ,rs0,t ~
stacIes, most OF WHICH may result from, 80
indulgence OF colonial supineuess ana da,a.se
enee upon European monarchical novrsr. xW,-'i'
the United States has on all oerssioa. - +" ui'e
decided unWilingness that auv mar, " ,S.I
continent or ITS adjacent islands shah -. y us
theatre Tor new establishment Of n,oe",. a
power, little has been done bv a.. r-e enleal