Mr. Kirk to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The situation of the belligerents is the same as when I wrote to you last; it is confidently expected that within a few days the attempts will be made to pass by Humaita, and the army will cross the river at Paso la Patero; should the allies be successful in this, it is generally supposed that Lopez must fall.
Some time ago I noticed an item of news in an English paper to the following effect: “Herald, December 30th.—The other great South American trouble was also, according to the Paris Patrie, in a fair way for settlement, the Paraguayan president having intimated to the American minister at Buenos Ayres his willingness to come to terms. It is to be noted, however, that direct advices received in this city from Buenos Ayres, of a later date than those received in Europe, make no mention of this matter.” Of course, you know there is no truth in this. I have never had any communication with President Lopez, directly or indirectly; if I had, you would have been informed immediately. On looking over the archives of this legation, I have long since come to the conclusion that our ministers here have never succeeded very well in any kind of mediation. Consequently I have no desire to interfere in their troubles. As [Page 280] far as I am able to judge, there is no prospect of peace. The allies cannot possibly recede from their original intention, to wit, the overthrow of Lopez. Yet I can see plainly there is no feeling of friendship here for the Brazilians, but rather a feeling of contempt amounting to hatred. Nothing but the cause in which they are engaged binds them together.
Mr. Washburn and wife left this city for Corientes last Tuesday. He expects to cross the lines with a flag of truce tendered him by the Argentine government. I have just learned that the steamer in which he started has run aground some twenty leagues from here, and the passengers have been taken by another steamer to Rosario.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.