The Sun. — 1840-10-05 (London, England)

BUENOS AYRES, MAY 16, 1840.—Now, respecting the political state of this unfortunate country—it is not more deplorable to relate than it is true. I will give you a sketch of facts. First, I shall refer to the case of Dr. Maza, the most eminent lawyer in this country, and Rosas' old schoolmaster, but lately head Judge of the Camara, President of the House of Representatives, Minister of Government, and President of a Lodge lately established by Rosas, entitled the Masorca. This Lodge is composed of Rosas' confidential guars; who are accustomed to perform the most cold-bloods; murders by his orders. Rosas, with six of these men, went to the House of Representatives at six o'clock in the afternoon, when Maza was writing his resignation. Rosas was the first who plunged a knife into his heart, whilst the others advanced, cut his throat, ripped the flesh off his face, and butchered him. At twelve that night his son, Colonel Man, an esteemed officer, was shot, without trial. Father and son were thrown into a Policia (police) cart, that night, and committed to the damp well in the Recolets (the place into which the bodies of traitors, murderers, &c , are cast.) Baron de Astrado, Governor of Corrientes, was also slau'ghtered by Rosas' party ; his skin was taken off, and bridle-reins and mane (a strop of fetter) made of it, of which a present was made to Rosas, and he received it as a gift. These articles his daughter Manuelita Rosas rides about with, to show her murdering courage. In the qusrtell (Mrracks) of the Indian Colonel Cuetinos, they shoot none; but have a post in the ground, where the prisoner is placed against it, standing, whilst an Indian holds him by the hair of the head, and another Indian gives him so horrible a gash on the throat with his knife, that he expires instantly. This plan was adopted, as the people left the neighbourhood from the constant shooting. The elks, at night, were frightful. Three weeks ago, Rosas shot and cut the throats of fourteen rich and respectable men ; the following day he slaughtered sixteen! Rosas' most staunch supporters, in the South, revolted against him; and, in that revolution, many of cur industrious countrymen lost their lives and property. Among them was poor James tI. Neill, though he had the greatest confidence in Rosas' government. Forty soldiers, armed with balls, lassos, carbines, and lances, came to his house, from their encampment, which was near ; these slaughtered O'Neill, in a dreadful manner ; but, luckily his wife, with her little children escaped to a thistle mount. The next day, she went to the encampment, to Rosas' brother, the General-inChief, Prudencio Rosas. He gave her no satisfaction. A Mr. Watson and his son were also tied, and both were severely stabbed, beat, lanced, and, what is more horrible, his old wife and three daughters were held, hands and feet, by officers as well as soldiers, and abused in presence of all. This is Rosas' warfare ; and what is more painful to relate, her Majesty's Minister is hand-and-glove with these assassins ; and there is no redress, whatever, for any man's life or property. Two weeks ago some respectable men were murdered, under the British Minister's house, while vsaitine for a boat, to escape from this tyrant. One hundred and fifty infantry and cavalry of Rosas' own body guard, came on them ; some of the unfortunate men begged to be allowed to write to their wives ; others, on their knees, before their assassins, prayed for pardon, but all in vain. They cut their throats, and the flesh from their dead faces, after strip, ping them naked and disfiguring their bodies in the most dreadful manner. One of them was a Colonel Lunch and another Charles Mason, Englishmen's sons, who were brought up in the service. An officer named O'Linda, Riglos, and Cosmey, were amongst the sufferers. When they threw them from the cart, at the Policia door, the assassins again abused, with their knives, the dead bodies. All took place at half past six o'clock in the evening. The English Minister, and Captain Russell, of her Majesty's ship Actaeon, with a Dr. Lepper, heard the cries of these poor fellows, all of most respectable connections. Minister Arrana shoe. d to Mr. Slade, the American Consul, 80 ouncrs of gold which was taken from these men. Those murderers returned to Rosas' house, showing their sabres smeared with blood, and telling how they cut the throats of those Unitarios. Rosas' only daughter, overjoyed at the good deed, told them they should not wash their hands until they took matie (a species of beverage) with her, which they enjoyed in lauehter.