Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

[Extract.]

Mr. Asboth to Mr. Seward

No. 28.]

Legation of the United States, Buenos Ayres, June 10, 1867.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you in connection with my report No. 26, dated the 27th of May last, that pursuant to a decree of the President of the republic, issued only in the afternoon of the 1st instant, the official ceremony of opening the sessions of the national congress took place at last on the 2dinstant. I received from the minister for foreign affairs the usual official invitation to attend, but being still confined to my bed by severe illness, was obliged to decline the honor.

* * * * * *

In enclosure B, I beg to forward a copy of the President’s message in Spanish, and in enclosure C its translation into English, as given by the Standard newspaper. The latter enclosure contains also the translation, taken from the same paper, of the Emperor of Brazil’s speech on the opening of the Brazilian Chambers on the 23d ultimo. In both these documents allusion is made to the proffered mediation of the United States in the same laconic and reserved manner. The general tone of President Mitre’s message is constrained and cheerless, and it has met with a cold reception from the public in general, who have been unfavorably impressed by its abstaining not only from holding forth any near prospect of the termination of the exhausting war with Paraguay of which the mass of the people is thoroughly wearied, but also from any allusion to several matters of the highest importance to the general welfare of the country, such as the protection of the frontiers from the desolating invasions of the Indians; the lamentable and filthy condition of the city of Buenos Ayres, the capital of the republic; the necessity of providing against the recurrence of the cholera; the dangerous state of the port of Buenos Ayres, on account of the want of attention to the removal of old wrecks, sunken anchors, &c.; the total absence of river navigation laws, and many others.

In the report from the minister for foreign affairs which accompanies the President’s message, and which you will please find in enclosure D, are reproduced all the notes that have been exchanged between this legation and the department of foreign affairs relative to the detention of the Hon. Charles A. Washburn on his way to Paraguay, and to the mediation question, all of which I have had the honor to forward to your department from time to time, with the exception of Señor de Elizalde’s last note, dated 22d April, a copy of which, marked E, in Spanish, is herewith enclosed, and which translated reads as fellows:

Office of Foreign Relations, Buenos Ayres, April 22, 1867.

M. le Ministre:I have the honor to reply to the note dated the 10th instant, and received on the 12th of the same, which your excellency was pleased to address to me, with reference to the answer given by this government to the offer of friendly mediation made by the government of the United States of America in the waragainst the government of Paraguay.

In the declaration of war of the Argentine government, and in the memorandum addressed to the Argentine diplomatic corps, in consequence of a note of the Paraguayan government to his excellency Mr. Washburn, relative to the same mediation offered to that government, which memorandum was communicated to your excellency before the receipt of the note to which I am now replying, but was received by your excellency after despatching your note, the United States government will find the explanation asked for by your excellency. The Argentine government must refrain from entering into an appreciation of your excellency’s remarks which do not refer to the offer of friendly mediation of the United States government, although it recognizes the noble sentiments that inspired them.

I must, however, call your excellency’s attention to the action taken by his excellency Mr. Washburn with reference to the offer of mediation, which I have no doubt will afford matter for investigation to the United States government, as it will perceive the obstacles thereby raised up to the acceptance of its friendly mediation, even if the opportunity for so doing had arrived.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.

RUFINO DE ELIZALDE.

His Excellency General Alexander Asboth, Minister Resident of the United States of America.

In my report No. 21, dated 12th April, 1867, I fully anticipated that the Argentine government would find an excuse for evading the United States offer of mediation in the correspondence which took place between our minister in Paraguay and the Brazilian commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Caxias. My anticipations in this respect have been fully realized, and as it was moreover manifest from the whole tenor of Señor de Elizalde’s answer to my last letter that the Argentine government was anxious to let the question of mediation rest for the present, I have deemed it proper to wait for further instructions, the more so as in my note to Señor de Elizalde of 10th April, I had gone as far as I could without transgressing the limits indicated by the resolution of Congress and the instructions from your department with reference to the offer of mediation.

It is, however, gratifying to be able to report that my note of 10th April has undoubtedly struck a sympathetic chord in the breasts of many who are not without influence to bring their opinion and wishes to bear on the government. The archbishop of Buenos Ayres was pleased to send his secretary, accompanied by Father Fahey, a highly popular Irish priest, to congratulate me on my renewed efforts, while several prominent natives eulogizing the views I had put forth, assured me with sincere thanks that I had fully expressed the feeling and desires of the Argentine people at large. The Tribuna, and Nacion Argentina, taking opposite sides, have entered into a fierce polemic on account of it, and the Standard makes the following remarks, viz:

We publish to-day General Asboth’s last note to the Argentine government on the peace mediation, and Minister Elizalde’s reply. We feel it a pleasing duty indeed to compliment General Asboth on the marked ability of his note, which is powerful, well written, and veracious. Few such able documents have come before us for some time. Every line of the note in question bears the stamp of a master hand.

The same report from the minister for foreign affairs contains the official notes of the commander-in chief of the allied army, President Mitre, relative to the interview which took place in September of last year, at Gaitaita Cora, between himself and President Lopez, to which the latter, moved by a spirit of conciliation, had invited President Mitre. Subsequent events having proved that President Lopez was making use of no idle boast when he affirmed his ability to carry on the war with vigor and success, these important documents, while they do full justice to his humanity as well as to his sagacity, record his offer for bringing about peace on the most favorable terms for the allies—an offer which has never been either rejected or replied to, but simply referred to the respective allied governments, where it would appear to have lain forgotten and unheeded because it does not conform with the provisions of the secret treaty of the triple alliance. And as nine months have elapsed since the Gaitaita Cora interview took place, and a detailed authentic account of it is only now given, it would seem that the policy of the present rulers of the Argentine people is to secure submission by means of concealment and mystery, and any Argentine who, having the good of his country at heart, abhors this disastrous war and asks for peace, is branded as a traitor. In enclosure F you will please find the translation of these long-suppressed documents, taken from the Standard newspaper, viz: the letter from President Mitre to Vice-President Paz, and that to President Lopez, dated respectively 13th and 14th September, 1866. These documents certainly exhibit a new phase in the Paraguayan war, and may prove an additional argument in congress, both here and in Rio Janeiro, to oppose with energy its continuance.

It is not yet known whether President Mitre will resume the command in-chief of the allied army, and, if so, when he will return to the seat of war. His course will depend in a great measure on the attitude of congress. The long-talked-of resignation of the popular Vice-President Paz is still a doubtful matter, and nothing official or positive is known about it. Should it, however, become a fact, congress will have to elect his successor, and the result of his election will have considerable influence, not only on the return of the president to the command-in-chief, but also on the continuation or termination of the war. It is generally believed that the vice-president contemplates retirement because, while at the head of the government, he had determined upon the acceptance of the United States mediation, a decision which was disapproved by President Mitre.

Tranquillity is not yet fully restored in the interior, and insurrectionary movements, though partial and isolated, are continually occurring. The national government is watching with great mistrust the movements of General Urquiza in Entre Rios, and Governor Luque, of Cordoba, whose sympathies for the vanquished party are notorious, and give the government serious cause of alarm.

The allied encampments in Paraguay have been visited by a new disaster. The unusually high floods of the river Parana have partially submerged all the fortified positions. Curuzu, the taking of which cost the Brazilians so many thousands of lives, and where, not long ago, 4,000 of the garrison fell victims to the cholera, being covered with six feet of water, and thus no longer tenable, has been evacuated. The immense accumulation of supplies at the several depots have been either lost or so much damaged as to be unserviceable. The Marquis deCaxias was obliged to order 3,000 bales of hay, injured by the floods at Itapiru, to be burnt, in order to prevent a recurrence of the epidemic, while many more thousands of bales, which cost about $10 each, have been seen floating down the river. By latest accounts the river was still rising, and may compel the allied army to retire from Tuyuti also.

Marshal Osorio, with his army of reserve, is at last near the seat of war, and has already held a personal interview with the Marquis de Caxias. His forces, however, do not appear to number in reality more than 2,500 men.

For more detailed information, I beg to refer to the daily memoranda of political events in the river Plata, from the 28th of May to the 11th June, in enclosure G.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. ASBOTH.

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

P. S.—With reference to the postscript to my despatch No. 26, of the 27th of May last, I beg to report that the outrage said to have been committed by the Paraguayans in firing upon an Argentine flag of truce, and which Señor de Elizalde sent me word would be likely to throw considerable difficulty in the transmission of Mr. Washburn’s official despatches and provisions, was the natural consequence of the very serious omission on the part of the commanding general, Gelly y Obes, to provide with a white flag the party sent to meet the Paraguayan flag of truce. Señor de Elizalde’s subsequent note, copy of which is enclosed, marked H, dated 31st May, informing me that he had forwarded Mr. Washburn’s official despatches and other papers, shows the correctness of my anticipations that the first news was far from well founded.

A. ASBOTH.

Latest from Rio Janerio–Opening of the chambers–The Emperor’s speech, May 22,1867.

At 1 p. m. yesterday, in the palace of the senate, the imperial session of the opening of the general assembly was held with the usual ceremony, and his Majesty the Emperor read the following speech:

Most august and worthy gentlemen, representatives of the nation:

The meeting of the general assembly always excites in me, as well as in all Brazilians, extreme satisfaction and grateful expectations. The public tranquillity has remained unaltered in all the provinces, and the order generally observed during the late election is a fresh proof of the affection which the Brazilian people have for the national institutions.

Thanks to Divine Providence, the state of the public health is satisfactory in the greater part of the empire. The scourge of cholera morbus, which, I regret to tell you appeared in this capital and in some parts of the provinces of Rio de Janerio, St, Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catharina, rapidly declined, and was not so fatal as on its previous invasion. The government took such steps as in duty bound in these circumstances.

The war provoked by the President of Paraguay has not yet reached the desired termination; Brazil, with the Argentine and Oriental republics, true to the alliance contracted, will shortly attain this end. In the prosecution of so sacred a duty the government has received the most valuable assistance from the untiring efforts of all the Brazilians, and fully trusts in the valor of the army, navy, national guard, and volunteers, who deserve the most profound gratitude of the nation.

The cholera morbus, which unfortunately invaded the river Plata, has caused considerable havoc among the allied forces in front of the enemy. I sincerely lament the death of so many brave soldiers, who only sighed for the moment when they might risk in battle their lives for the sake of their country.

To Brazil and to the allied republics the government of Peru offered its kind services as a preliminary of the mediation of that republic and of those of Chili, Bolivia, and Equador, for the re-establishment of peace with Paraguay. Latterly, the government of the United States also offered its gracious mediation for the same purpose. The allies, while thanking these various governments for their offers, could not, however, accept them, because the national dignity and honor would not permit it. I have the pleasure to inform you that Brazil is at peace with all other foreign powers, whose friendly relations the government is anxious to cultivate.

There has been signed in Paris, and is now in vigor, a declaration interpreting the 7th article of the consular convention celebrated with France, thus ending the misunderstanding which in the matter of States was constantly shown in the carrying out of that convention, and the government supposes that the same result will be obtained as regards the other conventions of a similar nature.

I have great pleasure in informing you that by the decree No. 2749, of 7th last year, the navigation of the Amazon and some of its affluents, and of the rivers Tocantins and San Francisco, will be opened to the merchant vessels of all nations from the 7th of September next. This measure, which corresponded to the expectations of both Brazilians and foreigners, promises the most beneficial results to the empire.

The public revenue continues to increase, but the expenditures, especially that arising from the requirements of the war, has increased in a manner to produce in the State budget a deficit which it is of the most vital interest to extinguish by the means which your wisdom and patriotism will suggest.

The slave element in the empire cannot fail to receive in due time your consideration, providing that in such a manner that, while property is respected and any great shock to agriculture avoided, the important interests connected with emancipation may be attended to. The promotion of colonization should be an object of your special solicitude. The public instruction is worthy also of your particular attention.

Among the measures necessary for the army system are prominent those forming a law of recruitment, and a military penal and prosecuting code. Experience proves the urgent necessity of alteration in the navy system as regards officers. It has also been recognized by practice that a change should be made in the organization of the national guard, more especially with a view to more easily mobilizing this force in extraordinary circumstances.

Most august and worthy gentlemen, representatives of the nation, your dedication to the public weal and your talents assure me that you will enable the government to overcome the present difficulties, and will consolidate more and more the foundations of the prosperity of our country.

The session is opened.

D. PEDRO I, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil.

The President’s message.

Fellow-citizens of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies:

At the commencement of another season of parliamentary labors I salute and congratulate you and the Argentine people whom you represent on the re-establishment of peace and order in all those parts of the republic where sedition and outbreaks recently occurred.

While commanding the allied army in front of the enemy in Paraguay, and fulfilling my duty in sharing the glories and dangers of my brave comrades, I was forced, for a time, to abandon the post of honor, my presence being urgently called for at Rosario and Buenos Ayres; at the same time I despatched from headquarters a respectable division of Argentine horse, foot, and artillery, to quell the rebellion in the interior provinces.

The expediency of these measures was shown by the results. One of the armies of the interior, comprising the above division, and under command of General WenceslaoPaunero, ably fulfilled its mission. A portion of this army, under the immediate orders of Colonel Arredondo engaged and cut to pieces the more numerous rebel forces at San Ignacio; and the northern army, under General Taboada, composed of national guards from Santiago, Tucuman, Catamarca and Rioja, succeeded a few days later in destroying the remainder of the rebels who gave battle at Paso Bargas, in the suburbs of Rioja, and received the chastisement of their treason.

These two battles sufficed to put an end to the rebellion, and, although it is to be regretted that the speedy flight of the ring leaders across the frontier saved their guilty heads from the severe penalty of the law, still it is true that in a very short time and with little bloodshed we have put down a formidable rebellion and pacified the republic.

The various provinces and their governments that were called on to lend their assistance came forward with energy, patriotism, and good will. It is, moreover, worthy the special notice of Congress that Governor Posse, of Tucuman, and his minister, Campo, as well as General Taboada, of Santiago, put themselves at the head of their respective contingents, the last named acting as chief of the staff at the battle of Bargas.

Under the auspices of tranquillity and order that at present reign throughout the republic, the government will be enabled to dedicate all its attention to the speedy and glorious termination of the war in which we are involved, along with our allies of Brazil and Uruguay, against the Paraguayan government. I shall now proceed to give you an account of the most notable occurrences since the closing of your session of last year.

As regards our relations with foreign powers, I am happy to say they are on the most cordial footing;observing towards all a frank and loyal policy, which they duly reciprocate; fulfilling the international obligations that bind us mutually while they do the same, the Argentine republic stands high in the esteem of the civilized world, and we have merely to remove some unfavorable impressions with one or other friendly power caused by erroneous information respecting the just rights of the republic in repelling the war provoked by the Paraguayan dictator, which impressions led to certain suspicions about the rectitude of our intentions and of the object of the campaign. Our only object is to vindicate the national honor and obtain guarantees for the future maintenance of peace and good relations with the republic of Paraguay. Nothing more and nothing less. I shall always avail myself, as on the present occasion, of solemnly making this declaration on our own honor as well as of that of our worthy allies, whose interests are analogous with ours in this long and bloody war.

The Chilian government, through its representative, offered its mediation towards bringing the war to a close. This humane act was duly appreciated by the Argentine government, but nowise acceptable under the circumstances, owing to the just reasons which we explained to the Chilian agent. The war in which Chili and the other Pacific republics are involved with Spain has given rise to a correspondence which you will find in the ministerial memoria. Our government, without neglecting the real interests of America, thinks it has consulted those of the republic by observing a strict neutrality in a quarrel that it neither could nor ought to take any part in. Interests of another nature and of mutual convenience suggest the amplification of the treaty of peace, amnesty, and commerce, since the Chilian government objects to the one now existing. We are ready to enter on these arrangements on a basis of strict reciprocity. The recent rebellion in the interior, which grew up and took such proportions in the provinces bordering on Chili, and the fact that the ring leaders took refuge in that republic, have given rise to reclamations on our part. As these are grounded on justice, we entertain a conviction that they will be justly and benevolently responded to by the enlightened administration of the sister republic.

The government of Peru, as is already notorious, has fallen into a lamentable error about the Paraguayan war, and one which shows how much that country is in the dark respecting the causes of the present campaign of the allies and its tendency and character. In the rnemoria of foreign affairs you will find other details as to the state of our relations with that republic.

The explanations given by our government to that of Bolivia, in answer to a protest about the line of frontier, seem to have been satisfactory; at least we have heard no more about the matter since. Moreover, the most perfect entente cordiale exists, and our commercial relations continue without interruption.

The cabinet of Washington has again displayed its desire for the peace and prosperity of these countries, offering its good offices to us and to our allies for an amicable arrangement of the Paraguayan difficulty. In accord with our allies we declined so friendly a proposal with thanks; duty and honor obliged us to do so.

As regards our allies, the empire of Brazil and republic of Uruguay, I am glad to say that the intimate and cordial relations we have cultivated, the community of sufferings, glories and dangers we have shared, have drawn still closer the mutual bonds and consolidated an alliance that is based on public faith and common convenience.

The diplomatic agents of European powers accredited near this government are entitled to consideration for their upright and friendly proceedings. All questions, whether of old standing or newly arisen, have been amicably settled. At present there is no question remaining or anything to produce a misunderstanding between the republic and the foreign powers with whom we maintain relations of amity and commerce.

The government being forced to devote almost the entire revenue to the exigencies of the Paraguayan war, and more recently for the pacification of the interior, it has been impossible to realize many intended reforms and improvements necessary for the progress and prosperity of the country, notwithstanding the war. Nevertheless we have attended, as far as possible, to whatever was of most general utility.

By virtue of the law sanctioned by congress, the government took 300 shares in the Primer Entre-riano (Gualeguay) railway. It is to be hoped that this line, of such general convenience, will soon be a reality.

The Central Argentine Railway Company will soon be in possession of the lands along the line from Rosario to FrayleMuerto. The governments of Santa Fé and Cordoba have lent every co-operation, and given every facility to the commissioners named by the national executive for the delivery of said lands, and the expropriation of such sites as became necessary according to law. Meantime the works go steadily forward, and the line will soon be complete as far as Villa Nueva.

Although nothing has yet been done in the eastern Argentine railway, (Entre Rios and Corrientes,) the necessary surveys and plans are made, to begin when the opportunity offers.

The want of a bridge over the Rio Tercero was much felt, and we have made a contract with Mr. Wheelwright to put up one by the end of the year.

The electric telegraph from this city to Colonia and Montevideo works with due regularity and is of immense benefit to commerce. The government has contracted for another line from here to Chili, as well as a third to connect Rosario with Buenos Ayres.

At the request of the empresarios of the Welsh colony at Chubut, we have allowed it a pension for the current year; at the termination whereof we shall be able to determine whether the colonists can continue there or should be removed to a more suitable locality.

The events which obliged congress to order an intervention in Catamarca have not brought about the desired end, owing to causes beyond our control, especially the recent rebellion that held sway in some of the upper provinces, including a part of Catamarca. Nevertheless the provisional government established by the people lent every assistance to put down the rebels, and placed itself under the orders of the national commissioner. It is hoped that this province will shortly again be governed by constitutional authority, as befits the patriotism and good feeling of the people of Catamarca.

The preconcerted plan of the rebels who overset the governments of Mendoza and San Juan extended also to some other provinces, where sundry disturbances occurred; but the rebels being everywhere subdued, the restoration of law and order followed.

After the overthrow of Governor Ferreyra in Cordoba by a revolution, and when the national authority was preparing to act up to its duty in the emergency, the governor handed in his resignation to the legislature, who accepted the same and then appointed Dr. Mathew Luque as governor.

Whether owing to the demoralization produced by a number of local revolutions, or to the impotency of the government, the province of Cordoba has not responded as might have been expected by the republic and national executive, in the war against Paraguay, or in the movements to put down the rebels. On the contrary, it has been the refuge of many of the rebels and their leaders, some of whom started from Cordoba, with arms in their hands, to unfurl the banner of revolt. The national government has dictated proper measures to vindicate the law, and bring down the severe agency of justice on those who may be shown to have connived in that province with the rebellion.

The province and government of Buenos Ayres have unreservedly lent whatever elements were called for by the national government, and with the utmost readiness and patriotism offered all necessary resources for the annihilation of the rebels and the restoration of order. The government of Buenos Ayres having requested that the Boca road should be restored to provincial jurisdiction for the purpose of necessary repairs, the national authorities acceded to the demand even before the expiration of the law of residence in the capital.

The national tribunals continue to render the valuable services expected from so great an institution. Many grave questions came before them during the past year, and it is a matter for honorable satisfaction that even certain interests complicated with those of the enemy (Paraguay) have found the fullest guarantee. The rebellion of the interior provinces being now over, the severe and impartial sentence of the federal tribunals will be called for to vindicate public law and dignity, apart from the impulse of political passion.

The work of drawing up codes, intrusted to able and zealous lawyers, progresses rapidly. At the close of last session the second volume of the civil code was presented to congress, and this session the third, now in press, will be laid before you.

The church of the republic has been honored by the creation of an archbishop’s see. On presentation of the Papal bulls the new archbishop entered on his dignity, and the ecclesiastical tribunals were organized, after many difficulties heretofore insuperable.

The government regrets having been unable to do so much as it could have desired for the cause of education. Nevertheless in those provinces where order has not been disturbed the national colleges have made great progress, and primary education is attended to with the sums voted for the purpose. As it is admitted that popular instruction is the most imperious of all necessities, the government will present in due time projects on this head.

The revenue of 1886 amounted to $9,568,554, showing an increase of $1,273,483 over the returns of 1865, being equivalent to 16 per cent. The revenue of last year has been $721,554 more than the estimate of ways and means, and exceeds the sum voted in the budget by $1,415,274. But for the reduction of 2 per cent. on exports in 1866 the increase would have been 19 per cent. over 1865, and 37 per cent. over the returns of 1864.

The steady growth of our revenue, in spite of the rebellion in the provinces and the Paraguayan war, is a striking proof of the wonderful development of our trade and produce, which makes the republic already figure respectably in the import and export tables of foreign nations.

The government negotiated with the Provincial Bank of Buenos Ayres for a credit of $4,000,000, according to law of September 1, to meet the expenses of the war in Paraguay, and by means of this easy and lucky transaction we were enabled to dispose of that amount for the purposes intended without loss or drawback. With a part of this loan, with the ordinary revenue of the country, and with a sum of money raised abroad by permission of congress, we have been able to meet the extraordinary and heavy expenses of the Paraguayan war and the revolt in the interior, besides the ordinary cost of administration, and it affords government great pleasure to say that the funded debt, and all other national obligations, have been religiously attended to.

The finance minister will give you a detailed account of the collection and outlay of the national revenues.

The department of war and marine has duly attended to the multiplied and urgent requirements of the Paraguayan war and the rebellion in the provinces. The despatch of war stores and army clothing, and organization of forces, &c., have been ably managed, and the most praiseworthy zeal and activity displayed by the parque and commissariat departments, as well as by volunteer committees among the citizens, who have rendered signal service in this manner to the government and to the country.

The Argentine army now in the field in Paraguay, forming part of the allied army, is entitled to the consideration of congress and of the republic for its valor, discipline, and constancy. Firm and serene at its post of honor and duty, it still bravely holds out in a struggle that has already lasted nigh two years, supporting, with heroic self-sacrifice, all the hardships peculiar to the country and climate.

As regards the armies of the interior, one of which was re-enforced with some divisions from the headquarters in Paraguay, they have fulfilled their duty under Generals Wenceslas, Paunero, and A. Taboada, putting the rebels to flight, driving the ringleaders beyond the frontier, and thus effecting the pacification of the country and re-establishment of the lawful authorities in those places where they had been ousted by the rebels. The divisions belonging to our army in Paraguay will speedily return to headquarters and assist in the glorious termination of the campaign.

The steamers composing the Argentine navy continue to execute whatever service is required of them for the army, and have recently been re-enforced by two capacious steam transports.

In fulfilment of a precept of the constitution I have given you a picture of the condition of the republic, and recounted whatever of most consequence has occurred since the close of last session, including such time as the administration was held by the worthy vice-president, Dr. Marcos Paz. The “memorias” of the various ministers of state, which will be laid before you in due time, will complete the rapid sketch, and also furnish interesting food for study of the congress members if they would properly appreciate the real state of affairs.

BARTOLOME MITRE.

May 1, 1867.

Letter from General Mitre to Vice-President Paz

The General-in-chief of the Allied Armies to D. Marcos Paz, Vice-President of the Republic:

I have the honor to enclose you the originals marked 1 to 4 of documents relative to the interview requested by Marshal Lopez, and accepted by me, as well as to the business thereupon treated of.

Having advised the allied generals of everything occurred, and conferred with the Brazilian envoy extraordinary (Octaviano) on the subject, we have come to the resolution to refer the matter to the decision of the respective governments, conformably as declared by me at said interview.

I must add for your information, and to enable your government the better to understand the nature and bearing of this incident, that in the course of our interview General Lopez declared himself ready to treat on all questions that may have led to the present war or may affect our tranquillity for the future, so as to satisfy (as he says) the legitimate demands of the allies, including a definitive arrangement of frontiers, but without accepting any imposition, and least of all his retirement from command in the republic of Paraguay. In this sense he manifested his readiness to arrange on bases, and even make a treaty, which, amounting to a negotiation not in harmony with the stipulations and objects of the triple alliance, I neither could nor ought to accept the same, but confined myself to hearing what he had to say, so as to communicate the same to the allies, as is expressed in the annexed memorandum.

For my part, during the conference I felt bound to be very explicit, declaring that, although we only made war for the sake of the present and future peace of these countries, I considered it very difficult, not to say impossible, to arrive at any arrangement unless based upon the conditions of the triple alliance treaty, since the antecedents of the quarrel induced the allied peoples to believe that no solid guarantees of future peace could be found outside of such conditions; that therefore we should part in the firm conviction that any arrangement was impossible, and that the war must continue without truce or armistice; and finally that neither the conference we had just held, nor the memorandum then drawn up, nor any subsequent deliberations, at all held us, even in a normal sense, or fettered in the least our liberty of action to prosecute hostilities with full vigor.

General Lopez, on his part, accepted my declarations, and added that it was in this sense he had taken the initiative of seeking an interview, to see if it was possible to make peace on the terms he deemed convenient, declaring that he was resolved to carry on the war to the last extremity, and that he would now do so with even greater vigor, seeing the impossibility of an immediate arrangement, since he could not paralyze his action by waiting for the deliberation of the allied governments, which must necessarily be slow. In reply to this, I repeated my remarks that he was at perfect liberty to carry on the war as he judged best, and that he might at once act accordingly, as I should also do in fulfilment of my duties as general. At the same time I pledged my word of honor and good faith to give him notice immediately of what we might resolve upon, as I now do under this date.

The tone that prevailed throughout the conference was most proper, and notwithstanding that some grave points were touched on, nothing of an indecorous nature occurred, and whatever may be the result this act will certainly contribute to moralize our warfare by giving a good example of refinement without enervating the valorous spirit of men like us who do our duty with arms in our hands.

May God preserve your excellencv.

BARTOLOME MITRE.

Headquarters at Curuzu, September 13, 1866.

General Mitre’s note to Marshal Lopez

His Excellency Marshal Francisco S. Lopez, President of the Republic of Paraguay, and General-in-chief of its Army:

I have the honor to advise your excellency, according to promise, that having advised the allies of the conciliatory invitation which your excellency was pleased to make to me on the 11th instant, in our interview at Yaitaiti Cora, we have agreed, in conformity with my declaration to you on that occasion, to refer the whole matter for the decision of the respective governments, without making any modification in the position of the belligerents.

May God preserve your excellency.

BARTOLOME MITRE.

Headquarters at Curuzu, September 14, 1867.

[Untitled]

DAILY MEMORANDA OF POLITICAL EVENTS IN THE RIVER PLATA FROM 28TH MAY TO THE 10TH JUNE, 1867.

May 28.— The Rosario correspondent of the Standard writes apropos of the festivities of the 25th of May, the anniversary of the declaration of independence, “What with the Paraguayan war, the revolution in the interior, the cholera, and the presence of the Indians in our province and in that of Cordoba, the people have very little heart to do proper honor to the sun of May.” The same says, further on: “From a gentleman of TraileMuerto, I understand that the Indians have become a chronic nuisance. They lately entered the houses of Messrs. Hamilton and Chavari and carried off everything. It appears, however pretty evident that these marauders are deserters, and mixed up with savages who enjoy heavy subventions from the national government.”

A small paper called the Progresso, of Canelones, a small town in the Banda Oriental near Montevideo, has been seized by order of the government for an article on the Paraguayan war; the editor has been placed under arrest and fined $1,000 without even the form of a trial, the minister, Flangini, declaring that he considered the paper a libel.

Cholera has not wholly disappeared from Buenos Ayres, although the epidemic is believed over. There is a great fear that it may become endemical here as in large towns in Europe.

May 29.—From the headquarters of the allied army in Paraguay it is reported that General Argollo has been named to succeed General Polidoro as chief of the staff. The arrival of the Galgo steam transport with 420 recruits from Brazil is also announced. It is further reported that General Osorio had arrived at Tuyuti and had there an interview with the Marquis de Caxias, and that great activity prevails in the Brazilian camp, which leads to the belief of an approaching action,

One of the local papers of this city publishes the substance of the toast proposed by the British minister at an official dinner given by him to the President of the republic and the corps diplomatiqueon the 24th instant, the birthday of the Queen of England, which he is reported to have ended with these words: “War is at times good enough when the object of the war is attainable, but peace is better, and he proposed peace.”

The Tribuna announces that the national congress will be opened on the 2d June.

May 30.—The Tribuna publishes an official despatch from the Bolivian secretary of State, Don M. D. Mutioz, dated La Paz, 19th March, 1867, to the prefect of the department of Santa Cruz, strictly prohibiting all trade in contraband of war with Paraguay, Brazil, or the Argentine Republic, so as not to compromise the strict neutrality which Bolivia is anxious to maintain in the war which affects its neighbors.

The Standard of to-day says:

“It is reported in political circles that Dr. Rawson, on the opening of congress, will resign. Dr. Rawson as a minister commands our highest esteem. He is, beyond all question, the right man in the right place, and it is a pity he cannot bring himself to remain in office until the whole cabinet, of which he forms so bright an ornament, so conspicuous a member, goes out of office.”

Public opinion attributes the resignation of Dr. Rawson to the Paraguayan question. The minister believes, with most people, that it has lasted quite long enough, and that, as the allies cannot go ahead, the next best thing to do is to make peace. The vice president is of the same opinion, and it remains to be seen what congress will do in the matter.

The Uruguay (Entre Rios paper) of the 27th instant says: “On the night of the 25th the citizens of Concepcion gave a grand ball to General Urquiza and his family, in return for the hospitalities at San Jose last March,” and concludes a detailed account of the event by these words: “Nothing could be more satisfactory than the reception given to the illustrious captain general by his loyal people of Entre Rios.”

May 31.—The words used by Governor Alsina in his inaugural speech on the opening of the provincial chambers, having been misconstrued by a portion of the house to indicate a desire on his part to assume a dictatorship, gave rise to an animated discussion after they were pronounced, and to the appointment of a special committee to consider the project of passing a vote of censure. The committee, after holding interviews with the governor’s ministers, recommended in their report the adoption of the following order of the day: “Whereas it appears from the explanations given by the committee that, in the judgment of the provincial executive, a dictatorship can never become a constitutional solution of the problem proposed for the consideration of the legislature, the assembly hereby considers the occurrence at an end, and only regrets the ambiguity of expression which led to the misunderstanding;” which order of the day, after a short discussion, was adopted without a division. In connection with this incident, Governor Alsina has published the following letter, addressed to his ministers, which has been warmly approved by the press and the public in general:

THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATURE.—IMPORTANT LETTER OF GOVERNOR ALSINA.

My Dear Friends: As it has come to my knowledge that in yesterday’s session of the legislative assembly, respecting the report of the special committee, some expressions were used of a hurtful character towards both of you, I am bound for the sake of friendship and sincerity to declare that such a circumstance causes me deep pain.

Although I am aware that you accepted my speech in the genuine meaning of the words and not in any capricious interpretation, and although you can nowise be held responsible, since you were ignorant of the tenor of my speech till you heard it spoken in the assembly, I avail myself of this occasion to offer some explanation, and beg you will give it all the publicity possible, so as to remove any doubt, if indeed such ever existed.

The incident with the chambers being now over, I am conscientiously impelled to give free expression to my sentiments in dealing with the people, from whose ranks I have risen to direct with honor the public destinies. No matter what susceptibilities I arouse; no matter what obstacles come in my way, I follow a fixed principle of always speaking my mind truthfully, whether to the people or to its representatives, or to my friends. In this manner I save my responsibility as governor, and, although at the cost of bitter trials, cooperate in the great work of elevating sincerity of speech above traditional customs and ideas. I have not become governor to flatter public passions, nor to seek the solution of great political questions in a cloud of deceit which obscures the magnitude of real dangers, and leads the country from one error into another, until descending into the abyss where the public liberties are entombed. I have not assumed power merely to follow a routine, nor yet to waste my efforts in a struggle between self-love and conscience, between the desire to do good and the visinertiæof doing nothing. Finally, I have not accepted my position merely for ambition, or what men usually call glory; far from glory, it is a martyrdom for those who take office with the firm resolution of sacrificing everything to the impulses of duty and patriotism. No; you may fully believe me when I say that the only consideration which holds me to my post is the desire of serving my fellow-citizens, and not allowing their just hopes to be disappointed.

The impression caused by my words in the legislative assembly, and perchance among some of the citizens, is easily explained. In a country only recently emerged from a barbarous tyranny, the word “dictatorship” must have produced some sensation; but, if my speech had no other result, I should flatter myself for the same. I may have individually been the loser, but the country has after all been the gainer, and that is sufficient satisfaction. In the history of a nation, events occur at times that must be regarded as lessons, and neither the people nor its rulers should forget them: to call up such events is to do a public service. When a country like ours has emerged from a long reign of terror, and reposes confidently on its present enjoyment of liberty, abandoning all care of public interests with a reckless indifference, and suffering a lethargy to overspread the limbs of the body politic, then it is right that some voice should be heard to arouse the sleepers, and point to the page of history where sloth and torpidity prepared the steep incline that fatally leads to despotism. The word of alarm used to indicate the danger will be deprecated, the intention of the speaker will be subjected to various interpretations, but the cool judgment of the historian will in time place the matter in its true light. May God grant that the effect of my words be not momentary and fleeting, like the spasmodic convulsions of a corpse under galvanic agency.

As it cannot now be said that my explanation is with a view to disarm the severity of the chambers, I intend to make a few brief remarks which cannot fail to quiet public opinion, if it has really been at all a victim to a false alarm. My ardent desire being to remove as far as possible an unconstitutional emergency, I thought the best means of prevention would be to expose the plain, unvarnished truth, and I therefore proposed for the study of the chambers the problem of how to carry On a constitutional government without the legislature. Meantime the members of the assembly, yielding to an impulse of the moment, took for a constitutional solution the dilemma resulting from an unconstitutional state of affairs, forgetting, moreover, that I laid down the problem as incapable of solution in a moral point of view. They could not, therefore, suppose I would contradict myself so flagrantly as to draw from such antecedents two legitimate solutions.

Educated as I have been in the school of liberty, with an unextinguishable hatred of tyranny, and having served for some time in the ranks of those who saved Buenos Ayres and the whole republic, I can honestly assure the people that my conscience has never for a moment given ear to the accursed idea of raising a dictatorship upon the ruins of public liberty. Those rulers who aim at sundering all legal obligations between the magistrate and the people, and placing their will above the law, never give the signal of alarm to the citizens. On the contrary, they begin by lulling the public mind into a treacherous security, painting the present as most prosperous and the future as serene and unclouded; while the voice of flattery may be regarded as a canticle to the dying liberties of the country

I have now fulfilled the object of my letter—to express to you my regret at the expressions used in the assembly, and to offer explanations for the tranquillity of even the most nervous minds.

Yours very sincerely,

ADOLFO ALSINA.

Messrs. Avellaneda and Varela.

June 1.—* * * The following is also from the Standard of to-day:

“There is great noise made by our colleagues about the firing of the Paraguayans on some of the allied troops, who, thinking they saw a white flag, approached the enemy’s lines to see what was wanted. At first sight the matter seems to be a most traitorous act, but it appears now that the allied troops carried no white flag: therefore, the firing on them amounts to nothing very extraordinary. General Gelly y Obes reports the circumstance in an extravagant letter to the minister of war and marine, but it was plainly his duty, if he wanted to find out what the enemy required, to have sent an officer with a white flag. He forgot this, and for it he would, in Europe, have been brought to a court-martial.”

June 2.—The mails from Rosario bring satisfactory news from the interior. In the province of Santa Fé, the chief matter of interest was the opening of the chambers by the governor, Oroño. In his inaugural address, he draws a very flattering picture of the affairs of his province, from which it will appear that no other province in the republic shows greater signs of vitality or progress than Santa Fé.

The mortality returns for last month show too clearly that the state of the city of Buenos Ayres is anything but healthy. In four days last week the interments numbered about 100, and many of these have been owing to cholera or colitis.

The Standard of to-day says:

“The last dates from Paraguay announce large desertions from the allied lines, and a tremendous battle impending.”

The steam transport Brazil, arrived yesterday at Montevideo from Rio de Janeiro, brings 250 recruits for the army invading Paraguay.

June 3.—The ceremony of opening the national Argentine congress took place yesterday in accordance with a decree to that effect issued by the president of the republic late on Saturday, the 1st instant. All the members of the corps diplomatique, with the exception of myself, prevented from attending by severe illness, were present in full uniform. The foreign consular corps was representedby only one or two of its members, and the absence of the. United States consul was remarked upon. Previous to the reading by the secretary of the senate of the message, a copy of which will be found in enclosure B, and its translation in enclosure C, with despatch No. 28, dated June 10th, 1867, President Mitre spoke as follows:

“Fellow-citizens of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies: I had thought and should have wished not to present myself before you until after a glorious termination of the war in which we are involved. Circumstances over which I had no control called me away temporarily from the post which honor and duty vindicate as mine so long as there is a single Argentine soldier or flag to lead to battle against the foreign foe that provoked us to the fight. Such circumstances alone cause me to assist at this solemn inauguration. But, I am happy to tell you that the objects for which I resumed the reins of power have been carried out; the peace of the country, disturbed by sedition, is again happily restored, and the efforts of traitors, who stopped not at the most execrable crimes, have been vigorously suppressed by the federal forces and the weight of public opinion.

“I feel confident that the day of final victory, and of solid and honorable peace, so much desired by all, and so much delayed by the effects of treason, is now near at hand; and that the Argentine Republic, as soon as its lawful aspirations be realized, and with a present and future all its own, will continue its onward march toward great destinies under the auspices of progress pregnant with liberty, and in the midst of peace obtained at the cost of such generous sacrifices.

“To consolidate our internal order under the rule of institutions by opposing good to evil; to strengthen nationality by the union of all legitimate interests; to save the present dignity of the country, and guarantee peace with our neighbors both for the present and future; to facilitate the march of whatever governments come after us—this is the task that has fallen on us in this period of trial.

“I trust that Heaven will bless our work and strengthen our principles; inspire the people with civic virtue, the army with courage, and the congress with wisdom.

“Honorable senators and deputies, the congress session is inaugurated.”

June 4.—The Tribuna’s correspondent from Brazil, in announcing the arrival of General Polidoro at Rio de Janeiro, asserts that the general has made the most extraordinary statements respecting the utter impotence of the allied army and navy in their present position and condition, and that there are only two courses open to the allies—either to withdraw from the struggle or to arm 50,000 more slaves. He says, moreover, that the allies cannot retire from Tuyuti for fear of the enemy falling on them, nor can they advance for want of men. The same authority says that it was currently reported that General Polidoro would be appointed minister of war.

The Diario do Rio, of the 25th May, publishes a leading article calling upon the government to free, in the provinces of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco a number of slaves and send them as soldiers to re-enforce the army. “Thus,” says the writer, “we can form, in two months, a new army of 30,000 men, which may cost us 45,000 bonds, (of $1,000 each,) and this army, advancing by Itapua, would at once bring the war to a close.”

June 5.—The Tribuna of to-day announces that one of the first projects to be submitted by government for the approval of congress is the authorization to obtain from the provinces a further levy of 3,000 men, for the army in Paraguay.

The news from the seat of war is, that the waters of the Paraguay and Parana rivers have risen to an unprecedented height, and on the 30th ultimo the Brazilian squadron, taking advantage of the high water, entered Lake Piris and bombarded the Paraguayan positions for a whole day, without attaining apparently any important result.

The Tribuna of to-day publishes my last note to Señor de Elizalde, on the mediation question, dated 10th April, and Señor de Elizalde’s answer, dated 22d of the same month, taken from the report of the minister for foreign affairs, which accompanies the president’s message. In a few introductory remarks the editor of that paper commends my views, while it criticisesSeñor de Elizalde’s note.

June 6.—The Standard says that “Gelly y Obes’s decree about receiving despatches from the enemy with musket balls has been totally disregarded by the commander-in-chief, as we understand that despatches are coming and going for the French consul.”

The Nacional (evening paper) announces the probability of Señor de Elizalde being elected vice-president in the place of Dr. Paz, whose resignation is daily expected to take place.

June 7.—By last accounts from the seat of war it appears that the unprecedented floods of the rivers Paraguay and Parana have caused new disasters in the allied camps. At Curuzu the water submerged the whole encampment, and the garrison only escaped destruction by a precipitate retreat on board the squadron. Many war supplies, particularly hay and ammunition, were either lost or rendered unserviceable. Great fears are entertained for Tuyuti, as the river was still rising.

An idle rumor has been published by the Tribuna of Montevideo, to the effect that General Gelly y Obes has written to General Asboth, United States minister in Buenos Ayres, stating that President Lopez has elements in Paraguay to carry on the war for ten years longer. The national government, on this account, held a cabinet meeting, in which the question of General Gelly y Obes was indignantly contradicted, and a reprimand sent to him for so lightly expressing such opinions to a foreign minister. “There is not the slightest foundation for this statement, and the only wonder is, what could have been the motive for such an absurd fabrication.”

June 8.—A special telegram to the Siglo, of Montevideo, published the day before yesterday, states that the Argentine government has sent peremptory instructions to its agent in Chili to demand of the Chilian government the fullest compensation for the loss of life and property caused by the late revolution in the provinces, which seems to have taken its origin in Chili. This news we believe, if not altogether unfounded, is at least premature.

Besides the concession made by the national government to Mr. Hopkins for a telegraph line from Rosario to Chili, it appears by the report of the provincial minister of finance that the provincial government of Buenos Ayres has decided upon carrying, at its own expense, the telegraph wires as far as San Nicolas, from which point they will be continued to Rosario, at the expense of the national government.

June 9.—The Tribuna of to-day has a telegram giving an account of a rather inexplicable occurrence at the government house in Montevideo. It appears that as Dr. Gonnoilhon, a French resident, had old claims against the republic of Uruguay, which were so far admitted, that bonds were given for indemnity—but which must have been subsequently repudiated, because they were selling for less than one-twelfth of their value—Don Gonnoilhon sent a letter to General Flores, with the draught of a decree recognizing his bonds, together with a check for $250,000, for his signature of the decree. General Flores is reported to have been so incensed at this attempt to bribe him that he was determined to resign, and would have done so but for the interference of several friends. The affair, according to the telegram, threatens to become serious, and seems very complicated. Dr. Gonnoilhon, who is said to be acting in concert with several accomplices, has been sent to prison, and a criminal charge laid against him.

June 10.—Another disagreeable occurrence is reported to have taken place in the Montevideo government house. A SeñorTezanos (formerly editor of the Pueblo, of Buenos Ayres) called the day before yesterday on General Flores to say that he was going to start a paper in Montevideo. The dictator advised him that whatever he might write should be for the public good; but that if he preached dissension, and inflamed party spirit and civil war, the government would put down his paper, as they had the other day one published in Canelones. Whereupon SeñorTezanos, raising his voice, said that the constitution and the laws would protect him in telling the truth and resisting tyranny. General Flores at once had him arrested and sent to prison in the dragoons barracks, where he is now confined.

The news that Marquis de Caxias had ordered the burning of 3,000 bales of hay, which lay on the banks of the river at Itupira, has provoked great comment. It is understood, however, that this measure was rendered necessary by the fact that the hay, having got wet in the late high floods, was rotting and likely to produce a recurrence of the epidemic in the allied camp.

A. ASBOTH.