Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress
Mr. Washburn to Mr. Seward
Sir: Soon after my return to this capital I addressed a formal note to the minister for foreign relations, alluding to my long absence and the causes thereof, and expressing my satisfaction that he still retained his former position in the government, as our official relations had always been of the most frank and friendly character. The minister answered my note at considerable length, speaking in a very complimentary manner of our government and country, and especially of the great ability with which our foreign relations had been conducted since you have been at the head of that department. Copies of both notes are forwarded herewith.
I am, sir, very truly, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Washburn to Señor Berges
SIR: It is with extreme satisfaction that I find on returning to my post, as minister resident of the United States near this capital, after the long absence of one year and ten months, the important office of minister for foreign relations is still occupied by your excellency, as at the time when I left. As in the past my relations with you were always, both personally and officially, of the most pleasant and agreeable character, I confidently expect they will be so in the future.
During the time of my long absence, a large part of which, as your excellency is aware, has been forced upon me by the illegal and discourteous conduct of the three powers now allied in war against Paraguay, there have occurred various events in my own country of such great importance as would have been properly subjects of separate notes to your excellency had I been here at the time of their occurrence. The most important of these is the suppression of the gigantic rebellion got up and carried on with great courage and energy by certain ambitious persons in the United States for the purpose of extending and perpetuating the practice of human slavery. After a fierce and terrible strife of four years the rebellion was completely crushed, and now the entire country, being freed from the burden of slavery, is enjoying a degree of prosperity and security before unknown. This glorious consummation of so terrible a struggle was not achieved without great losses and sacrifices, and the loss of our great and good President, Abraham Lincoln, by the hands of a foul and hateful assassin, served much to dim the general joy. But under the republican system of our government a new President, as by law provided, was sworn into office on the very day of Mr. Lincoln’s death; the laws were regularly and firmly executed without interruption or [Page 708] hindrance, administered as our government then was by the conciliatory policy and tried patriotism of Andrew Johnson.
Other events of great importance have likewise occurred, but they are of such general notoriety that I need not allude to them. I cannot forbear, however, making mention of the fact that under the able and statesmanlike management of our foreign relations by Mr. Seward, the policy known as the “Monroe doctrine” has been steadily maintained, and that by moral force alone the attempt by European powers to force a monarchical government on the neighboring republic of Mexico has been abandoned, and the foreign prince whom it was the intention to force on a republic will soon be left with no foreign support, and consequently be compelled to leave a country that never courted his presence.
I need not say to your excellency how rejoiced I should have been to have found the war in which Paraguay is now engaged brought to a successful and honorable termination. But I must say that the great valor and endurance shown by the Paraguay troops, and the great vigor and ability displayed by the commander-in-chief, Marshal Lopez, have not only surprised their enemies, but astonished the world,
I take this opportunity of renewing to your excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
His Excellency Jose Berges, Minister for Foreign Relations
Señor Berges to Mr. Washburn
I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your note of the 12th instant, notifying me of your return to your place as minister resident of the United States near this government, after a long absence of one year and 10 months, most of which was forced upon you by the illegal and discourteous conduct of the three allied powers now at war with Paraguay, stating at the same time that during that prolonged absence there have occurred in the United States many events of so much importance that they would have been the objects of separate notes if you had been here when they happened, one of which was the suppression of the gigantic rebellion got up and carried on by certain ambitious persons of the United States for the purpose of extending and perpetuating the practice of human slavery. You also state that the glorious consummation of so terrible a struggle was not achieved without great losses and sacrifices, and the loss of a great and good President, Abraham Lincoln, by the hands of a foul and hateful assassin, served much to dim the general joy, but a new President was legally sworn into office on the very day of bis lamented death.
You mention that other events of great importance have also taken place, but of such general notoriety as to need no present notice, except that under the able and statesmanlike management of Mr. Seward the policy known as the “Monroe doctrine” has been steadily maintained, and that by moral force alone the attempt by European powers to force a monarchical form of government on the republic of Mexico has been frustrated, and the foreign prince whom it was the intention to force on a republic will soon be left with no foreign support, and consequently be compelled to leave a country that never courted his presence. And you conclude by saying that you had hoped to find the war in which Paraguay is now engaged brought to a successful and honorable termination, but that the great valor and endurance shown by the Paraguay troops, and the great vigor and ability displayed by Marshal Lopez, the commander-in-cheif, have not only surprised their enemies, but astonished the world.
I have had the honor to convey your very important note to the knowledge of his excellency the marshal, President of the republic, and have received orders to communicate to you the present answer.
The presence of the worthy American representative at this capital is very gratifying to the government of the republic, which has always taken the greatest interest in preserving its present good and friendly relations with the United States of America, and it regrets that the illegal and discourteous conduct of the allied enemies, as you very properly express it, caused your long absence from the republic.
This occurrence, so foreign to the usages and practices among civilized nations, cannot be explained otherwise than by calling it an outrageous abuse by the allied powers, that have allowed a free passage to loss distinguished persons of other nations to the same ports; and, moreover, it is the undisputed practice, by the law of nations, to permit a free transit to all diplomatic agents, in the public character with which you are invested.
What has happened to you may be considered as one of those open violations of the most explicit provisions of the universal law of nations, by the triple alliance, too numerous to mention, and of such public notoriety that I may be excused from quoting them to you. Since you have remained so near the scene of the events, you are well qualified to judge of them properly.
[Page 709]My government welcomes your return to this country to continue the good relations with the friendly government of the United States; it commends your heroic conduct in overcoming the difficulties so unjustly placed in your way by the allied forces; and I am pleased to rejoice with you that the flag of the great American republic has forced the outrageous blockade of the triple alliance, commanded that respect and justice it deserves, saluted the national banner of the republic, waving in triumph over the battlements of Curupaiti, in support of the cause of liberty that has just finally triumphed in the United States of North America.
Stunned by the clangor of arms, in the midst of the solemnities of the present war, the government of the republic would not look with indifference upon the noble attitude assumed by the United States in crashing an insurrection in some wayward States that had abandoned the sound principles laid down by the immortal Washington, and it hears with the greatest pleasure, the news of the complete triumph over the armed rebels who sought to extend and perpetuate human slavery.
The government of this republic comprehends the whole value and importance of the mighty task just accomplished by the government of the United States, and it is conscious of the enormous losses and sacrifices that such an undertaking must have required; but the death of the illustrious and magnanimous President, Abraham Lincoln, has caused a profound feeling of sorrow in the breasts of the people of Paraguay and their government, as it did among all peoples and governments that appreciated his great merits, particularly among all the republicans of America.
Though that sad event grieved my government, it was pleased to hear of Andrew Johnson’s elevation to the presidential chair, and hopes his wise administration will restore the Union, sustain the Monroe doctrine, and give back to Mexico that national independence and sovereignty which has been so bravely battled for by President Juarez and his good republicans.
These grave and important events, so significant for the future of America, must be properly appreciated, with gratitude, applause, and enthusiasm, by all the nations of this continent, and Paraguay, which, since the declaration of its national independence, has cherished no other idea, experienced no other sentiment than the preservation of American principles, has always hoped for the triumph of liberty in the domestic concerns of the United States and in the foreign affairs of Mexico.
Fortunately events have corresponded with the wishes of good Americans, but Paraguay is yet struggling bravely in defence of the liberty and self-government of the people in this part of America against the crown of Brazil and its allies, the two republics of the Plata, the shame and disgrace of American republican institutions.
Although you may have seen the treaty of the allies in this war against Paraguay, I deem it my duty to send you a certified copy of it, that you may fully judge of its nature. Fortunately the constant efforts and efficacious measures employed by the republic of Paraguay have averted the insidious designs of the allies up to this time, and makes the probability of their success daily more and more doubtful.
When you say that the great valor and endurance shown by the Paraguay troops, and the great vigor and ability displayed by the commander-in-chief, Marshal Lopez, have not only surprised their enemies but astonished the world, you do us out strict justice, and I must thank you for the frank expression of such natural sentiments.
You are perhaps aware of the interview between the President of the republic and the commander of the allies, which took place on the 12th of September last, for the purpose of devising honorable means to prevent the further effusion of blood, put an end to the most bloody war that ever happened in South America, and secure a permanent peace between the belligerents by mutual concessions and honorable adjustments.
This highly honorable and generous proposal on the part of our President was answered, as you know, by an attack on Curupaiti by the allied forces, that received one more check in their rash attempt to conquer Paraguay.
If we take into consideration the time spent by the allies in their war against the republic, the means they have used as elements of war, the defeats they have suffered on various occasions, confined in the slender zone they hold at the junction of the Paraguay and Parana, we can well judge of their prospects of success.
Without more details, I leave the whole matter to your good judgment, but you will allow me to observe that Paraguay and the illustrious Marshal Lopez have gained fame in this giant contest alone; but with the aid of the Pacific republics, which espoused our national cause soon after the publication of the secret treaty of Buenos Ayres, on the 1 st of May, 1865, contemplating the conquest of this republic and establishing principles disastrous to the other American states, Paraguay must certainly triumph in her cause.
Thanking you cordially for your good wishes for our success and your expressions of personal friendship for me, I return the same to you, and sincerely hope our friendly intercourse may long remain unchanged.
I now avail myself of the opportunity to repeat to you the assurances of my perfect esteem and consideration.
Mr. Charles A. Washburn, U. S. Minister Resident.