Mr. Asboth to Mr.
Seward
No. 16.]
Legation of the United States,
Buenos Ayres,
March 12, 1867.
Sir: In connection with my report of the 25th
ultimo, marked No. 14, I have the honor to inform you that, on the 2d
instant, I received from Rear-Admiral Godon a third letter, in answer to
my note of the 16th February, in which I requested him to place a
steamer at my disposal, to enable me to communicate in person with the
Hon. Mr. Washburn on the Paraguayan lines. In this letter, a full copy
of which I beg herewith to enclose, marked A, the admiral states that he
has ordered the Wasp, Lieutenant Commander Kirkland commanding, to
Buenos Ayres, with instructions to proceed, after receiving my
despatches for our minister to Paraguay, without delay to Tuyuti, or
wherever the headquarters of the allied armies may be, and deliver the
despatches to Mr. Washburn, detaining his vessel a reasonable time for
any communication he (Mr. Washburn) may have for the United States
government or for me.
On the day that this reply reached me, after a personal conference with
the minister for foreign affairs, I addressed to him the following
note:
No. 6.]
Legation of the United States,
Buenos Ayres, March 2, 1867.
Sir: Rear-Admiral S. W. Godon, United States
navy, commanding South Atlantic squadron, has, at my request, sent the
United States steamer Wasp, Lieutenant Commander
[Page 144]
Kirkland commanding, from Montevideo to this
harbor, with instructions to receive my official despatches for the Hon.
Charles A. Washburn, United States minister in Paraguay, and to proceed
without delay to the headquarters of the allied armies, or to such a
point up the river as will enable him to deliver the despatches, of
which he is the bearer, to Mr. Washburn in person, detaining his vessel
a reasonable time for any communication Mr. Washburn may have, either
for the United States government or for myself.
Of this arrangement I have the honor to inform herewith your excellency,
and beg to request, at the same time, that, on account of the absence
from headquarters of his excellency Brigadier General Don Bartolome
Mitre, President of the Argentine Republic and commander-in-chief of the
allied armies against Paraguay, you may be pleased to favor Lieutenant
Commander Kirkland with such a letter of introduction and safe conduct
to the proper commanding officer in the field as will insure the
intended exchange of official despatches with the minister resident of
the United States in Paraguay.
I have the honor to be, sir, with distinguished consideration, your
obedient servant,
A. ASBOTH.
His Excellency Señor Dr. Don Rufino de
Elizalde,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Owing to the three days’ carnival festivities, I received, only on the
8th instant, the answer from the Argentine government, complying in a
satisfactory manner with my request, and enclosing open orders to
Marshal Marquis de Caxias to forward, by a flag of truce, to the
Paraguayan camp the official communication, recommending him, at the
same time, to allow the bearer of the despatches to pass over to the
enemy’s camp to receive in return Mr. Washburn’s answer.
A full copy of this note, in the original Spanish, you will please find
in enclosure B, whilst a literal translation of it I have the honor
herewith to append, viz:
Office of Foreign Relations,
Buenos Ayres, March 7, 1867.
M. le Ministre: I have had the honor to receive
your excellency’s note, dated the 2d instant, by which you inform me of
your being desirous to send a vessel of the American navy as far as the
lines of the allied army, with an officer bearing communications from
the United States government and from your excellency, to be delivered
personally to Mr. Washburn, United States minister resident in
Paraguay.
I have immediately come to an understanding with the allies of the
Argentine government about the wish manifested in your excellency’s
note, and I have the pleasure to communicate to you that, in pursuance
to the offer they formally made to your excellency on an analogous
occasion, the necessary orders are being issued to the Marquis de
Caxias, as your excellency will see by the enclosed despatch, that he
should forward by a flag of truce to the Paraguayan camp the official
communications, the bearer of which is the officer mentioned by your
excellency, who will be able to receive the answers of Mr. Washburn,
United States minister resident, as soon as they are transmitted in the
same form from the Paraguayan camp, recommending to him, (Marquis de
Caxias,) at the same time, that should he not see any inconvenience in
it, he may allow said officer to pass over to the enemy’s camp; wherein
your excellency will perceive a proof of deference.
I avail myself of this opportunity to salute your excellency with
consideration and esteem.
RUFINO DE ELIZALDE.
His Excellency the Minister Resident of the United States, General A. Asboth.
I at once informed Lieutenant Commander Kirkland of this result; but, as
it was my original intention, Resides the exchange of official
despatches with Mr. Washburn, to have also a personal conference with
him, and as neither of the three letters received from Rear-Admiral
Godon contained any direct answer touching this my desire, I deemed it
proper to request Commander Kirkland to inform me whether his special
instructions from the admiral contained anything conflicting with my
intention to meet Mr. Washburn in person.
I enclose copy, marked C, of my letter to Lieutenant Commander Kirkland,
and also a copy, marked D, of his reply, received on the 9th instant, in
which he states that his instructions “only require
him to carry despatches.”
This laconic and guarded answer of Commander Kirkland having placed
beyond doubt that the arrangements made by Rear-Admiral Godon were
calculated to prevent my personal meeting with Mr. Washburn, I
transmitted to Lieutenant Commander Kirkland, on the same day, the 9th
instant, the open
[Page 145]
orders
addressed to Marshal Marquis de Caxias by the Argentine government, in
concurrence with the Brazilian legation and the Oriental government,
informing him at the same time that the despatches would be ready the
next morning, at 8 o’clock.
I beg to enclose a copy, marked E, of this note, also, marked F, copy of
Lieutenant Commander Kirkland’s reply, of the same date, in which he
informs me that he would send from his vessel an officer to receive, at
the appointed time, the despatches for Mr. Washburn from this
legation.
Next morning, the 10th instant, Lieutenant Commander Mitchell signed a
receipt for the despatches, a full list of which you will please find in
the copy of my letter to Lieutenant Commander Kirkland, enclosure E.
Half an hour afterwards the United States steamer Wasp weighed anchor and
sailed up the La Plata river, towards Paraguay, and thus, although
deprived of the opportunity of meeting and conferring in person with our
minister in Paraguay on the important subject of the pending mediation,
I have at least succeeded in securing a safe exchange of official
despatches with the Hon. Charles A. Washburn, on the Paraguayan lines,
the result of which will, in all probability, be the acceptance of the
United States mediation by Lopez, who, according to published
statements, has issued a printed proclamation announcing that peace is
all but made.
Meanwhile, Dictator Flores, of Uruguay, seems now also to be more
inclined to have peace restored by the friendly mediation of the United
States; but Brazil and President Mitre are still unmovable in their
determination to conquer peace by force of arms,
and dictate their terms to Paraguay.
The Tribuna, the most influential paper in the river Plata, continues
advocating peace through the United States mediation, and suggests in
one of its leading articles * * * * the following as the basis of
peace:
1. An honorable satisfaction to the Argentine flag;
2. The free navigation of all rivers washing Paraguayan soil;
3. A proper indemnification of the expenses of the war; and
4. A fair adjustment of all territorial disputes of half a century
standing.
The removal of Lopez is not only not urged, but is directly opposed by
the Tribuna, while, at the same time, it impresses upon the Argentine
people the necessity of considering Paraguay and not Brazil their
natural ally.
The New York correspondent of the same paper says that the Assistant
Secretary of State, the Hon. Frederick W. Seward, will arrive here from
Washington as special peace envoy or mediator to negotiate the terms of
peace. I know not whether there be any foundation for this pleasing
announcement, but certain it is that he would be warmly welcomed by all
the people of South America, and that his presence would obviate the
main objection to the mediation, viz: the meeting of the several
commissioners at Washington, many thousands of miles from their
respective homes.
No success has been heard of from the Tuyuti headquarters. The report of
another attack, however, on Curupaiti is confirmed. All the iron-clads
went into action, and the firing was as severe as on former occasions.
The Paraguayans replied with their accustomed precision, and many of the
plates were pierced. The fleet dropped down the river to their old
anchorage when the bombardment was over, and then the Paraguayans opened
fire on the allied encampment as usual. The land forces failed again to
storm the abatis, and thus Curupaiti is still in the same position, now
commanded by Colonel Allen, who succeeded General Diaz, whose death is
much lamented in Paraguay.
A Brazilian gunboat from the Alto Parana arrived at Curuzu on the 2d
instant and reported the doings of the small fleet under Captain
Carvalho in those remote districts. At the falls of Santa Maria they
destroyed the little town, together with all public property; also, the
town of My, where, at a distance of thousands of miles from the sea, the
people manufactured their own
[Page 146]
powder and cannon balls, wadding, and other war materials, which
explains the extraordinary resources of the isolated Republic of
Paraguay. As to General Osorio, he is not expected with his new reserve
corps on the Alto Parana, at Candelaria, before the month of May.
In the interior province of Cuyo no further engagement has taken place
between the national and revolutionary forces; both parties are,
however, preparing and organizing, and more Argentine troops continue to
arrive at Rosario from Paraguay. General Paunero has at last left Rio
Cuarto, but will not risk a decisive movement into the insurrectionary
territory until the artillery, horses, and other re-enforcements arrive
from Rosario.
Additional details you will please find in enclosure H, my daily
memoranda of political events in continuation to enclosure B, with my
report No. 14 of the 25th ultimo. The peace question is the great topic
of the day. The proffered United States mediation has been taken up by
the allies, but up to this hour I have received no reliable information
about the result of their deliberations. I wish I could see reason to
anticipate something more than a polite and evasive answer.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
P. S.—News from Montevideo per electric
telegraph.—The English mail steamer Arno arrived from Rio
de Janeiro. Don Andres Lamas, Oriental minister in Brazil, is among
the passengers. He comes from the Brazilian government on a special
mission of peace with Paraguay, as proposed by the United States.
Nothing else is talked of in Rio, and every one believes it
possible.
A. ASBOTH.
Admiral Godon to Mr. Asboth
South Atlantic Squadron, U.
S. Flag-ship Brooklyn, (2d rate,)
Harbor of Montevideo,
March 1, 1867.
Sir: I have ordered the Wasp, Lieutenant
Commander Kirkland, commanding, to Buenos Ayres, from which point,
after receiving your communications for Mr. Washburn, he has been
instructed to proceed without delay to Tuyuti. or wherever the
headquarters of the allied armies may be, and to deliver the
despatches to Mr. Washburn, detaining his vessel a reasonable time
for any communications Mr. Washburn may have either for yourself or
the government.
I have detained the Wasp here beyond the time I mentioned to you, as
the French packet which arrived on the 27th ultimo was quarantined,
and our mail was not delivered until the following day. There may be
a mail for Mr. Washburn, which, perhaps, you can send in the Wasp by
delaying her for a day.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
S. W. GODON, Rear-Admiral, Commanding
South Atlantic Squadron.
His Excellency General Asboth,
Minister Resident, &c., &c., &c.
Buenos Ayres.
Mr. Asboth to Commander Kirkland
Legation of the United States,
Buenos Ayres,
March 8, 1867.
Sir: In answer to an official application
made by me, under date 16th ultimo, to Rear-Admiral Godon,
commanding South Atlantic squadron, I have received through your
kindness, on the 2d instant, an official communication from him,
dated Montevideo, 1st instant informing me that he has ordered the
United States steamer Wasp, under your command, to this port with
instructions to receive my despatches for the honorable Mr.
Washburn, United States minister in Paraguay, and then proceed up
the river to the headquarters of the allied
[Page 147]
army in Paraguay for the object of delivering
said despatches to Mr. Washburn, and waiting a reasonable time to
receive from him any return communications he may have either for
our government or for myself.
I had made at once on the 2d instant the proper application to the
minister for foreign affairs for the required orders to the
commander-in-chief in the field, and these orders I have received
to-day; but as it was my original intention, besides the exchange of
official despatches with the honorable Mr. Washburn, to have a
personal conference with him, I have the honor to request hereby
that you will be pleased to inform me whether your special
instructions from the admiral contain anything conflicting with this
my intention.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland,
Commanding United States Steamer
Wasp.
Commander Kirkland to Mr. Asboth
United States Steamer Wasp,
Off Buenos Ayres,
March 9, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge as
just received your communication of yesterday requesting to know
whether my special instructions from the admiral contain anything
conflicting with your intention of holding a personal conference
with Mr. Washburn, and I have the honor to inform you that my
instructions only require me to carry despatches.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. KIRKLAND, Lieut. Commander U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. Steamer Wasp.
Major General A. Asboth,
U. S. Minister to Argentine
Confederation.
Mr. Asboth to Commander Kirkland
Legation of the United States,
Buenos Ayres,
March 9, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith
the open orders of the Argentine government, in accordance with the
legation of Brazil and the government of the Oriental Republic,
addressed to Marshal Marquis de Caxias, commander-in-chief ad interim of the allied army in operations
against Paraguay, and received by myself yesterday from his
excellency Señor Dr. Don R. de Elizalde, minister for foreign
affairs, with the view fully to secure for you the intended exchange
of official despatches with the Hon. Chas. A. Washburn, on the
Paraguayan lines.
At the same time I beg to inform you that the box with the despatches
will be ready tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock, containing—
1 official letter of mine for the Hon. Chas. A. Washburn, United
States minister resident in Paraguay.
7 official despatches from the State Department for Mr. Washburn.
3 official letters from the consulate———, Buenos Ayres, for Mr.
Washburn.
7 private letters from the United States for Mr. Washburn.
1 letter from the British legation, Buenos Ayres, for Mr.
Washburn.
1 letter from Captain Wells, United States navy, Montevideo, for Mr.
Washburn.
1 unsealed letter from G. Soler, Buenos Ayres, for Mr. Washburn.
2 packages containing newspapers from the State Department for Mr.
Washburn.
1 package containing 21 newspapers from the Treasury Department for
Mr. Washburn.
1 package containing 34 newspapers from the United States for Mr.
Washburn.
8 books from the State and Treasury Departments for Mr. Washburn.
You will be pleased to acquaint me whether it will be convenient for
you to send an officer to receive said box at this legation, or
whether you prefer I should send it to the wharf at the
above-mentioned hour.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland,
Commanding United States Steamer
Wasp.
[Page 148]
Commander Kirkland to Mr. Asboth
United States Steamer Wasp,
(4th rate,) Off Buenos
Ayres,
March 9, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of this date, and also of the enclosed
letter to the commander-in-chief for the time being, his excellency
the Marquis de Caxias, of the allied army.
I will have an officer sent from this vessel, to be at the legation
of the United States tomorrow morning, the 10th instant, at 8
o’clock a. m., in order to receive and receipt for the box
containing the despatches, &c., for his excellency the Hon.
Chas. A. Washburn, the United States minister to Paraguay, and on
receiving them on board will immediately proceed with them to their
destination.
I take the occasion to offer to you my services in any way that I can
assist you.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. KIRKLAND, Lieut. Commander U. S. N.,
Commanding U. S. Steamer Wasp.
Major General A. Asboth,
United States Minister to Argentine
Confederation.
Daily memoranda of political events in the
River Plata from the 25th February to the 10th March.
February 25.—A great banquet was given to
President Mitre on the 19th instant, by the foreign and native
merchants in Rosario. The president, in returning thanks for his
health being drunk, spoke confidently of the speedy termination of
the war by arms, and said that he did not attach much importance to
the insurrectionary movement in the interior provinces.
February 26. —President Mitre arrived here
to-day on board the Guardia Nacional. A large concourse of people
awaited his landing on the mole, and escorted him to his dwelling,
where he addressed a few words to the assembled multitude, as given
in my report No. 15. From Rosario they write that the arrival of
troops from Paraguay is of daily occurrence, and that the Rosarinos
are at every moment astonished by the landing of immense cargoes of
ammunition, cannons, baggage, &c.
February 27.—The Nacion Argentina, in a
leading article, denies there being any truth in the assertion by
the Tribuna that Brazil accepts the mediation of the United States,
and goes on to say that the propositions submitted by the United
States government are inadmissible, more particularly the one
referring to an armistice.
February 28.—Yesterday Señor Britto, the new
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from Brazil,
presented officially his credentials to the vice president of the
Argentine Republic. Señor Britto said that the removal of his
predecessor having been occasioned by motives alien to the good
relations between the two nations, he would maintain on the part of
the imperial government a policy of the most cordial friendship: a
policy whose noble and disinterested inspirations can only appear
dubious to the eyes of the enemies of the two nations. The
vice-president, in replying, said that the loyalty of the Brazilian
government towards the allies was a guarantee that he (Mr. Britto)
would fulfil the noble intentions just expressed in favor of the
mutual friendship of the two governments; and as regarded the
Argentine government, he assured him that it would always acquit
religiously its compromises of honor.
March 1.—The French mail steamer is announced
to have arrived the day before yesterday at Montevideo, but was put
in quarantine on account of two cases of cholera having occurred at
Rio de Janeiro. The Edward Everett steamer, direct from New York,
arrived also at the same time at Montevideo, and was likewise placed
in quarantine.
The Nacion Argentina alludes to the ministerial changes likely to
take place in the national government by the resignation of Dr.
Rawson, the minister of the interior, whose portfolio will be
offered to Señor Sarmienta, if he comes back. The resignation of
Señor Gonzalez, the finance minister, is also talked of.
The Tribuna to-day has a strong leader against the triple alliance.
Public opinion has of late undergone a great change relative to the
Paraguay question; all who at the commencement were most sanguine
are clamoring for peace, and no stronger indication of this could be
given than the fact of this influential paper taking so decided a
stand against the alliance and in favor of accepting at once the
offered mediation of the United States.
March 2.—Although the French packet Carmel
arrived here yesterday, the mails have not been landed yet on
account of her having been placed in quarantine.
The arrival yesterday at Montevideo of the Itapiru, with 500 men on
board for the army, is announced.
The Standard says: “Peace is now a mere question of time; all Buenos
Ayres clamors for it, and it must come.”
From the seat of war no news. A passenger by the last steamer stated
that when he left
[Page 149]
Corrientes there was a tremendous firing going on. and that people
there believed another attack upon Curupaiti was going on.
From the interior the accounts are very meagre. Paunero is still near
Rio Cuarto, and his inactivity gives rise to much comment. The
northern provinces of Jujuy, Salta, Tucuman, and Santiago have
formed a league in support of the national government, to put down
the rebellion in the province of Cuyo.
March 3, 4, 5.—These being carnival days no
newspapers are published, and it is not safe to go into the streets,
owing to the outrageous playing with water, and pelting of eggs
without number.
March 6.—The news from the interior are that
the Indians made another invasion in the vicinity of Rio Cuarto, and
came within a league of General Paunero’s camp, who was unable to
follow them up for want of horses. Colonel Igarzabal is said to be
marching, at the head of a respectable force, from Catamaca upon La
Rioja.
General Urquiza has sent out general invitations to the public at
large to a grand “fete champetre” for the inauguration of an
artificial lake built by him, at an enormous cost, on his estate;
the fete is to be held with unprecedented magnificence at his
estancia of San José, on the 19th instant. It is stated that the
preparations going on will eclipse everything of the kind known in
the river Plate, and that 20,000 people, with some 50,000 horses,
will assemble to partake of the feudal hospitality of this renowned
chief.
The Brazilians are preparing another expedition to attack Matto
Grosso, which is still fortified and held by a strong Paraguayan
force. The Brazilians have organized a battalion of Indians, and
will cross through the forest towards Miranda.
Dates from Rio de Janeiro of the 22d February announce the sailing,
on that day, of a transport with 500 additional troops for the
Brazilian army invading Paraguay, an equal number having been sent
the previous day by the Itapiru. His Majesty the Emperor has given a
donation of about $50,000 for the manumission of slaves willing to
enter the army and proceed to Paraguay. News from the seat of war
were anxiously looked for in Rio, as it was thought that Curupaiti
had fallen.
March 7.—Yesterday President Mitre resumed the
reins of power, which, for nearly two years, have been held by the
Vice-President, Dr. Marcos Paz. To-day the following decree and
proclamation have been published:
“Buenos Ayres,
March 6, 1867.”
“The Vice-President of the republic has ordered and decreed, viz:
“Article 1. Let the President of the
Argentine Republic, Brigadier General Don Bartolome Mitre, resume
the charge of the executive.
“Art. 2. Let this be published.
“PAZ.
“G. RAWSON.
“R. ELIZALDE.
“L. CONSALEZ.
“E. COSTA.
“J. M. MORENO.”
“PROCLAMATION.
“The President of the republic to his
fellow-countrymen:
“After I addressed you when entering on the war which was forced upon
us, I had hoped not to return to assume office save on the
conclusion of peace, after a decisive victory, bringing back with me
to their homes my brave and virtuous soldiers, with whom I shared
the glory and the dangers of the campaign, fighting a foreign enemy
that had insulted our flag, violated our territory, and forced us to
draw our swords, never to be sheathed again except with honor. But
treason breaking out in our rear, and in the bosom of the country
for the flag of which we were fighting in Paraguay, and the removal
of such considerable troops as the case demanded, coupled with the
opinions of those who shared with me the responsibility of the
situation, rendered it imperiously necessary for me to temporarily
leave the post of honor which I held at the head of the allied army,
and resume the charge of the executive of the republic.
“I resume, therefore, the reins of authority in order to overcome, in
the name of the law, the rebellion, and to give to our institutions
the fullest support, not only by force of arms, but also by the
triumph of public opinion, to place the republic in an honorable
position in the strife which, with our allies, we maintain, and to
instil increased vigor into it until we bring it to a glorious
termination, thus securing peace on a lasting basis, the present and
future of our country. For this end I count on the power of
constitutional authority which you have freely reposed in my hands,
the powerful aid of your opinion, the efficacious concurrence of all
the provincial governments, and the generous patriotic aid of which
at all times Argentine citizens have given such great examples.
“Your fellow-countryman and friend,
“BARTOLOME MITRE.
“Buenos Ayres,
March 6, 1867.”
[Page 150]
The Tribuna, in a leading article to-day, comments upon the attitude
and tone of the Brazilian press on the subject of the alliance, and
upon the declaration made in the Journal do Comercio, (considered as
an official organ,) which openly states that “the
policy of the only monarchy in America can never be unified with
that of the tumultuous republics of the La Plata.”
March 8.—Yesterday Dictator Flores arrived at
this port on board the Rio Parana, and, without landing, proceeded
in the afternoon up the Uruguay river. He has appointed Senhor
Battle provisional governor during his absence from Montevideo.
The Tribuna says we have positive data for knowing that the offered
mediation will be accepted, with the omission, however, of the long
voyage to the United States to hold there the conference.
March 9.—It is reported that the Brazilians
have contracted for 10,000 American pine boards, to be delivered at
Itapiru, on or before the 15th instant. It is also stated that
Marquis de Caxias intends changing his tactics, and that he is going
to send the bulk of the Brazilian army up the Parana by steam to
invade Paraguay by Candelaria, where General Osorio is also
expected. However, nothing is known positively beyond the purchase
of the pine boards. In Corrientes it is believed that Caxias is
preparing for a general attack on the enemy’s positions at
Tuyuti.
General Mena Barreto (Brazilian) is dead. The death is also reported
of General Diaz, one of Lopez’s best generals, and who commanded at
Curupaiti, in which he is succeeded by General Allen.
From the interior there are news from Paunero, of the 2d instant, but
up to that date he had not moved from Rio Cuarto, and was still busy
organizing his forces and collecting horses. An interview had taken
place at Rio Cuarto, between him and Dr. Banquet, Governor Luqués,
minister, of nine hours’ duration, in the course of which Dr.
Banquet vindicated the attitude of the Cordova government, and
dissipated all the apprehensions that the dubious conduct of that
government had given rise to.
March 10.—Yesterday M. Noel, who replaces M.
Lefebvre de Becour, as French minister plenipotentiary, was
officially received at the Government House. The usual complimentary
speeches were exchanged. M. Lefebvre de Becour leaves for France
this week, and his departure is regretted by all who had the
pleasure of his acquaintance.
Another attack has been made on Curupaiti; all the Brazilian
iron-clads went into action, but had to leave the place in the hands
of the Paraguayans.
