The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-24
SOUTH AMERICA.

render of Bliss and MISUNDERSTANDING
WASHINGTON Jan. %, 1859.
The Navy Department is in receipt of dispatches
In detail relative to the surrender OF Messrs. Bliss
and Maserman by the Paraguayan authorities. ON
the third of December Rear Admiral Davis in his
dagship anchored under the Paraguayan battery at
Angostura and Immediately communicated with
Lopez. whose headquarters were six or
seven miles in the interior. Lieutenant
Commander Kirkland, the bearer OF the
message, returned with an answer that Lopez
desired 10 confer with the Admiral in person, and
for that purpose would come down to the river
bank Lopez appeared at the lower battery, and an
interview OF three hours duration was had with the
Admiral All the points bearing upon the matter
were discussed The manners of Lopez were con-
ciatory courteous frank. while he continued to
declare from time to time his intention
TO accede to the request for the delivery
Messrs. Bliss and Masterman Some cores
pondence ensued on subsequent days. and ON the
night OF the 10th OF December. at eleven O'Clock,
Messrs. Bliss and Masternan brought to the
flagship in native canoe These persons having
been delivered to the United States, General McMa-
hon made pref arations to land on the subsequent
day and present his credentials, but the battle OF
that day prevented II. He, however, landed on the
officers OF President Lopez's star and mounting his
horse, proceeded directly to Lopezs headquarters.
Admiral Davis reports that the number Of IRON
OF Paraguay is sixteen, including single and double
turreted monitors and old casemated vessels, mount
ing from one TO eight guns, and adds:-"On this
occasion / was treated with perfect civilty by the
Brazilian officers with whom had intercourse; but
was much annoyed by finding myself constantly In
the line OF fire OF the begerents, and would have felt
more comfortable had been accompanied by two OF
our douhle-turreted monitors
The department mas dispatches from Rear Admit
raj Davis dated Corrientes, November 80, announc-
ing his arrival there with the squadron under his
command He would leave on the lst OF December
PARAGUAY.
Pawnee would remain ar Correntes until further
orders The Kansas would shortly follow the Wasp
10 Paraguay.
Aiaier despatch rrom Rear Admiral Davis, dated
Rosario Del santa Fe. December ID, reports the
arrival OF the Wasp and that the Pawnee and Qun-
nebaug are ordered TO Bucnos Ayres.
Another despatch. dated Montevideo, December
49, reports the ARRIVAL OF the Wasp there the dav
previous. when the Admirals nag was shifted TO the
Guerricre.
The Feeling in Paraguny-Energy of Prcsi-
dent Notwithstanding Sales-Improve.
uents In Pablic Aiiairs--Steamers in the
River Plate-MOnitors i'm Demaud-Increasc
of steam Traffic.
BUENos AYREs, Dec. Is, 1858.
President Lopez is unwilling to risk anything by
attacking. He waits, and so wastes his enemy In
the trenches and let's him attack under disadvantage
Lopez's army is believed to be reduced to about
IL 900 men, and these still closely united to him
as at first. He has provided defences every salient
point through the country, and the purpose not to
surrender but to live to avenge rules absolutely In
almost every living Paraguayan. They obtain many
articles needed for comfort by way OF Bolivia. II
Colonel Church's company were now working the
demand for imported goods In Bolivia at this time
would roll up fortune for the stockholders in a
short time. That company win do great deal to-
wards revolutonizng the interior OF South America.
President Sarmlento has ordered the sale OF old
and useless steamers, to be replaced by better
nr.Ax l.Ao. oxI
the third is preparing for the hammer. He will
most likely obtain the new ones from the United
States He has also provided bounties and pensions
for the army to the amount OF one million OF hard
dollars. He orders the children OF those who fall In
Dattle to be educated at the public expense and an
@ 9aS us 9s Ta az
genious energy Of President Sarmiento Is ast0nish-
Ing everybody and he bids fair to MAKE his admin
istrati0n an epoch in South America
The fine American steamer Zenobia has been sold
at auction here for $4,000, gold. She will be used
for conveying provisions 70 the army.
president Sarmento is doing ali In his power to
promote immigration He told q friend, with
chucke in his eye, that he hoped there would soon
be q great movement OF immigration from the
United States He Is as proud OF the institutions OF
the great republic as though he was their own son.
and he is worthy Of the honor. Such President has
not before ruled In South America.
An Inuian invasion has occurred In Mendoza. at
La Paz, which left the town IN ruins, and many
tives
but money is plentiful and cheap and wool rather
Improving In price, but IL all goes Europe chiefly
to Germany and Holland.
There Is an air OF Improvement In political mat
tiers that promises permanent prosperity TO the
country.
The progress OF the River Plate commerce must be
OF value TO North Americans for the commercial re-
nuons are very intimate between New York and
Buenos Ayres.
Twelve years ago there was one steamer week
between Buenos Ayres and Montevideo and the fare
was sixteen dollars in silver. Now there Is not only
a steamer every day, but on some days there are
two even three. and the fare reduced one-half
while there are often more passengers In one day
than there were then in one month. For the last
few weeks q new company has attempted TO CON-
pete the same route, and the competition has put
down the fare TO four dollars. silver, and under tins
creased.
The same process has reduced the fare on the
river Parana Not long ago we paid nty 70, dollars
Now we pay only rwenty-six dollars sirnilar 70
auctions have occurred from similar causes IN every
Two steamers built in New York, but owned here,
have lately been put on the route between Buenos
Ayres and Montevideo iz.:-the America and the
III they were built In sight of each other aud
arrived here about the same time, and not being
adapted TO any route bur the one named they
There have been great many blockade runners
brought mere and sold. but they are poor property.
pla1ned only for speed, they are great con-
sumers Of iueL In this country great speed
,i nGs araSsS s apS Sn, economy Of fuseoai
averages here sixteen dollars per ton silver. There
are no steamers now In this country adapted 10 the
trade; they draw too much water or burn too much
coal. company hat would bring out good strong
steamers OF light draft and moderate consumption
OF fuel would soon command the trade OF these
rivers. Coal is dear that the difference between
little and great consumption would make hand
eome profit am not sure ous ny own letters
brought out here many steamers Tor sale, and
owing to the accident OF the war they have been
sold. But let the-war close, and there win be for
sale twenty steamers very badly adapted TO this
trade. Even the America and the III, noating pal
aces, 80 large and so grand that not only are
two-thrds OF the capital In them locked mp ana Sc
less but they draw much water that when the
river II low they must lie very out from the shore
We want here vessels adapted TO both passengers
and cargo, capable Of going near the shore. Tney
need not make great speed, but they must save the
coal. All the rivers OF the United states have
steamers built for their peculiar trade but we have
hardly one built for this region besides the two
named above, and these two great mistakes.
The defect IN the structure OF the river boats here
Is found also in the war steamers There 10 not one
ship OF the Argentine navy built either for these
rivers or for war purposes. When the times de-