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

No. 81.]

Headquarters of the Paraguay Army, Paso Pucu, Paraguay, March 11, 1867.

Sir: In my despatch of December 26th, written from this place, I took occasion to write you at some length respecting the aspect of affairs in this vicinity, and to express the hope that some means, by mediation or otherwise, might be found, by which this brave people could be spared further sacrifices. After having despatched that communication across the lines by flag of truce, I returned to Asuncion, and had hardly arrived there when I learned by telegraph that I had left the port but a short time before an officer with a flag of truce came through from the other side, bringing me several despatches from you, and one from our minister in Buenos Ayres, General Asboth.

One of the despatches then received was the one in relation to the offer of mediation on the part of the United States to bring about a cessation of hostilities in case it might appear that such offer would be well received. In the letter from General Asboth, received at the same time with this instruction, he said he should immediately inform the Argentine government of the friendly disposition of the United States. Since then I have heard never a line nor a word from him. I made known the substance of your instructions to the minister for foreign affairs, Señor Berges, and afterwards gave him a copy, with a note expressing my readiness to render any services in my power towards the attainment of peace. I then waited some two months or more expecting to hear again from General Asboth, and of the result of the proffered m ediation. But not receiving another word from him, on the 5th instant I told the minister that I should make another attempt to send through my correspondence and to receive whatever might be for me on the other side of the lines; and that to be more secure of accomplishing my object I would go through to the allies’ camp. Señor Berges said he would consult the President as to what could be done, and the same day showed me a despatch from the latter saying that there was no difficulty in the way on this side, and ordering a steamer to be placed at my disposition whenever I might choose to come down the river. On the 6th instant I received an answer in regard to the proposed mediation, a copy of which I send with this. It was accepted on the part of this government, and so I had not only to try and get through my correspondence, but to ascertain what response would come from the other side to the mediation which this government was willing to accept.

I therefore left Asuncion on the 7th instant and arrived here yesterday, and having had several interviews with President Lopez, I propose to pass over to-morrow morning to the allied camp. I know not how I will be received, or whether I shall be permitted to communicate with the commander-in-chief of the allies, the Marquis de Caxias, or not. I may be able to send through my correspondence, and yet have no opportunity to write anything later from the other side. I may be refused any means of getting my correspondence from the other side. In that case, therefore, and in case that nothing additional and to the contrary goes forward with this, it may be understood that I am kept a prisoner in Paraguay by the allied forces, that I have no means of communicating with my government, and that I desire to be extricated from a situation so unpleasant and so contrary to the rights of the agents and representatives of neutral powers. I endured prevarications and indignities from the allies, besides being subjected to ruinous expenses, in their efforts to prevent me from getting here, and rather than be held a prisoner at their mercy any longer, I desired to be recalled. But if I am recalled I hope that I may have some means of leaving the country. According to present appearances it is the plan of the Brazilians to conquer Paraguay by starving out the people, as they are doing them no injury at present, except in cutting off their communication with the rest of the world. They are keeping up a furious bombardment from their fleet but absolutely without effect.

I am informed by the medical officers, who are English, and in whose statements I put entire confidence, that the average of killed and wounded is less than one per day, and that it costs the Brazilians at least 600 shot or shell, and all from cannon of large calibre, to kill or wound one Paraguayan. With the same tactics that have been pursued by the other side for the last six months, this war will last for years, and I have no wish to be shut up here to await the period of starvation. Therefore, I say, if the allies persist in denying my right of communication with my government, or of egress and ingress tip the country, I ask, without further qualification, to be recalled. And if I am not permitted to send forward anything from the other side, supplementary to this, it may be taken for granted that I am so restrained, and ask to be relieved.

CHARLES A. WASHBURN.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Translation.]

Señor Berges to Mr. Washburn

Department of State for Foreign Relations, Asuncion, March 4, 1867.

I have to acknowledge receipt of the note of your excellency, dated 5th January last, in which you communicate, to this department that you are authorized by your government to offer its good offices in such mode as may he acceptable to all the belligerents to bring to a close the war prolonged through wide space of time between the republic and the three allied powers who combat her, adding that analogous instructions had been given at the same time to the representatives of the United States at Rio Janeiro and Buenos Ayres.

Your excellency’s important communication having been brought to the notice of the President of the republic, by his order I proceed to answer it.

The government of the republic has learned with satisfaction the contents of the note referred to from your excellency, and congratulates itself that the government of the American Union has recommended to your excellency the demonstration of interest and good wishes which it manifests for the happy termination of the present war, which the republic has found itself under the imperious necessity of accepting in self-defence, and of the autonomy of the other South American republics, formally threatened by the absorbent policy of the empire of Brazil.

The conviction expressed by your excellency’s government that it would be most advantageous for all parties if the effusion of blood could be stopped, and measures now employed in works of destruction be converted to occupations productive of peace, is essentially in accordance with that frankly and generously manifested six months ago by his excellency Señor Mariscal, President of the republic, in his invitation made to the allied powers through the general-in-chief of their armies, his excellency Brigadier General Don Bartolome Mitre, President of the Argentine Republic, who, according to later events of warfare, must have attributed little weight to that act of much importance. The honorable terms of that invitation, as your excellency knows, are friendly and conciliatory, and although they have not produced the beneficial results which were justly to be expected, the satisfaction rests with the government of the republic of having thus set before the world, before the nation, and the very enemies who are fighting it, a high proof of its moderation and kind desires for the re-establishment of peace by putting aside even serious injuries and wrongs which have been inflicted on it. Notwithstanding the prolonged silence of the allied governments in this respect, and notwithstanding the disappointment it thus freshly receives, nor the circumstances adverse to enemies, the national government has not changed its conciliatory policy, and is disposed to enter into honorable and satisfactory arrangements for ending pacifically the questions pending between the belligerents.

In consequence I must express to you that the government of the republic accepts the good offices offered by your excellency on. the part of the enlightened government of the United States in this present war.

In accepting this mediation I should make known to your excellency that my government believes it thus meets the friendly sentiments which animate that of the United States of America and its worthy representative at Asuncion, and through the generous and philanthropic sentiments which his excellency Señor Mariscal, President of the republic, has constantly evinced in the heroic struggle which he maintains against the triple alliance, your excellency is authorized to follow your instructions, whether collective or separate from your honorable colleagues the American ministers at Buenos Ayres and Eio Janeiro.

I discharge the agreeable duty of sincerely thanking you for your obliging and kindly thoughts for the brave defenders of the national cause, whose courageous resistance is almost without example, and has never been surpassed.

I avail of the occasion to offer to your excellency the assurance of my very distinguished consideration.

JOSÉ BERGES.

His Excellency Mr. Charles A. Washburn, Minister Resident of the United States of America*