Mr. Washburn to Mr. Seward
Sir: The position of affairs in this miserably protracted war is somewhat changed since the date of my last despatch, No. 88. The allies have advanced both by land and water, the squadron having passed Ourupaiti on the 15th instant, greatly to the surprise of every one, without losing a vessel. It is now lying between Curupaiti and Humaita, behind an island in the river which protects it from the guns of both. It is supposed here that it is waiting to repair the injuries received in passing Curupaiti. and that when completed an effort will be made to pass Humaita, and which, if successful, will cut off all communication by river with President Lopez’s army. The allied land forces have also advanced in force till they are above Humaita and within a league or two of the river.
There they are said to be intrenching themselves. Their lines are so much extended that without taking great precautions to fortify the passes, they will be liable to be cut off from their base of supplies, divided, and, perhaps, compelled to fight at great disadvantage. But when their intrenchments are completed it is believed they will advance to the bank of the river and intrench themselves there. In that case, if the squadron shall have effected a passage above Humaita, the Paraguayan camp will be completely invested and the duration of the war will depend on how long President Lopez can stand a siege. He may in this extremity make an attack on the allied lines; but his forces are so disproportionate to those of his enemies, that the probabilities are that it would prove disastrous. Nevertheless, the Paraguayans have held out so long and fought so bravely against such vast odds, while the allies have moved so slowly and languidly and lost so many opportunities, that the dawn of peace appears almost as remote as it has at any time for these two years past.
I have received nothing from you of a later date than March 15th, and nothing from General Asboth later than May 27th; consequently I know nothing of what has since been done in regard to the offered mediation of the United States. At the time that General Asboth sent forward the last correspondence for me, he requested the privilege of the Argentine government of sending through to me some provisions and other things that I was very greatly in need of. With characteristic courtesy they promised to send them through the lines to the Paraguay camp, and with characteristic bad faith they failed to do so. They sent through the correspondence, but the provisions they kept to themselves. That you may have an idea of the situation here I give you the prices in silver of the following articles: tea, six dollars per pound; sugar, three dollars; claret wine, five dollars per bottle; common cotton cloth, from two to three dollars per yard. In fact, everything imported is valued at more than a thousand per cent, above its cost in Buenos Ayres, and there is very little to be had at any price. On the 19th instant, by Señor Berges, minister for foreign affairs, I was advised that an English gunboat, with the secretary of legation at Buenos Ayres, had come up as high as Curupaiti, and that it had brought up my correspondence. As yet, however, I have not received it, and yesterday I was informed by Señor Berges that only the day before had it been delivered by the secretary. For some reason it had been kept back ten days, and Señor Berges has suggested that it has been delayed so that I should not have an opportunity to answer any despatches from you or General Asboth by the same conveyance. I look for its arrival here within three or four days, and I shall expect to receive anything directed to me from the United States as late as the 20th of June.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.