The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-19
MINISTER WASHBURN.
He Defends His Conduct I'm Paraguay
An Explanatory Letter.

Minister Washburn writes to Gumesdo Be-
nitez the Paraguayan Minister Of Foreign
Affairs, letter. in which he explains his posi-
ton in the recent imbroglio between himself,
members of the United States Legation, and
Lopez. He says:-
"a few days previous TO my receiving notice
OF the arrival OF the Wasp at Curupaiu hal
sent my last dispatches to Washington, on the
2Sth Of April, and regret not to have retained
o list Of the persons for whom have forwarded
letters. Still l rememoe Der Carrera to have
brought one for John F. Gowland, and Of his
having expressed fear lest his letters be inter-
cepted and opened by the opposite party,
wherefore he sent them to friend in Buenos
Ayres. MIR. Gowland being known by me as
very enthusiastic friend or Paraguay, could
not imagine how the letters would in any way
il jure the cause of this Republic. saw no
harm in sending letters of which did not
know the contents, to persons of no official
rank. If BeniteZ as Minister of Foreign Affairs,
asked me to forward his letters at a time when
considered him to be loyal and upright man.
why should this Government complain of my
having forwarded letters from other persons?
After Carrera and Rodriguez had beer demanded
by the Government they declared that they
would promise 10 remain within the building of
the Legation while the war lasted, provided l
would offer them protection, whereupon told
them that may possibly leave Paraguay before
that time, so they concluded to leave me; but
Carrera, particularly, did not seem 10 be pleased
with my mode OF acting. and 10 think l ought
TO nave rem01DeQ uHl1l LDe emu OF lne war. MS
is the only reason which ! can ind TO account
for his false and malicious declaration against
me.
Among other points was accused of trying
to bring about quarrel in order to have a
chance TO leave the country, but nave not been
aware until now that 1t was necessary tor a
foreign Minister to pick up quarrel with the
Government to which he is accreulted in order
10 enable him to leave the country. / thought
all he had TO do was to ask for his passports.
But | remained, contrary to my inclination, aud
in compliance with the wishes OF Mr.. Benitez;
and as tor tie latter's belief Of my having
received money from the Brazilian Government
and worked against Paraguay, because | have
not succeeded in obtaining any from this Gov
eminent, he is not more in the position OF
knowing any such thing than auy man abroad.
/ ask, moreover, whether 1t Is at all just aud
proper that such an assertion should be put into
an official communication when there Is not a
shadow OF proof IN existence 10 support II:
Another point of the strange declaration OF
Benitez Is the fact of my having manifested
much indignation at the allies on account
of their inactiop. / believe that every
Paraguayan was angry With them for the same
reason. 1t was generally known that all the
ParaguaYan army wanted was to be attacked,
with the anticipation ut giving the enemy
another Curupaiti, have repeatedly mentioned
in my conversations to Benite8 that it was
cowardly on the rart of large army like that
of the Allies to be Inactive and that If Paraguay
was conquered IN series OF battles 1t would be
a legitimate war, but that 1t was au act of in.
fanny TO allow country like Paraguay to be
gradually starved. have repeatedly written
10 my Government in the same sense, aud
represented that they should not allow such a
brave and valiant nation TO be exterminated in
this manner. But it appears that the treache-
rous heart of Benitez was so full of corruption
that il did not see anything but allusioOs TO
plans of treason in expressions of the above
character.
after having eDdeavored to explain that
| have never known anything about a conspiracy
| until was informed of It by you, and that the
conspirators have never condded any of their
plans TO me, my part of the CORE pondence
| about this matter is terminated. II the Govern
ment accepts my words as the truth, it has to
admit that l can give no information whatever.
| At this hour have no cognizance of the matter
| whatever, except what l have acquired from
| your notes. Should the Government refuse to
| lake my word, then the respect due my private
| character, ana the dignity OF my position, will
| forbid me to continue the correspondence.
| Under these circumstances it seems TO me that,
in OF der TO do justice 10 themselves aud to NE,
| the Government OF Paraguay should adopt QUE
| proceeding out of the Two. They should either
| accept my statement as the true one and make
| an end 10 this CORES spondence, or comply with
my request made in my letter of july IA, to
send my passports and enable me TO leave the
COuDtry,N