[Extract.]
Mr. McMahon to Mr. Seward.
No. 10.]
Buenos Ayres,
November 21, 1868.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
received from Mr. Worthington, United States minister resident to the
Argentine and Oriental Republics, the assurance that the allied
governments engaged in the war against Paraguay will oppose no obstacle
to my passage up the rivers Parana and Paraguay to my post of duty, and
that they have issued appropriate orders to the generals commanding
their respective forces.
The communication contaning this assurance, a copy of which I inclose,
marked A, comes from the Argentine government, and was issued, it
appears, upon consultation with the representatives of Brazil and the
Oriental Republic.
* * * * * * *
I will leave for Paraguay this evening on the United States steamer Wasp
accompanied by Admiral Davis. Three other vessels of the squadron passed
this port to-day on their way to the Parana.
No change in the military position has taken place since my last
dispatch. The allies have not yet attacked the position of President
Lopez at Villeta.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H.
Seward, Secretary of
State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Señor Varela to Mr. Worthington.
Foreign Office, Buenos Ayres,
November 13, 1868.
Mr. Minister: The Argentine government has
solicited the assent of its allies to resolve upon the affair spoken
of in the note your excellency did me the honor to address to me,
dated the 10th of the current month, and I have the satisfaction to
say in answer thereto, that the allied governments order the
generals of their respective forces not to put any obstacles to the
transit of General McMahon save that they find necessary to delay
him in the interest of the war operations that may be at the point
of being executed, as it was declared in the recent case of the
steamer Wasp. The allied governments are persuaded that General
McMahoh, understanding the importance of these operations and the
interests depending on them, will contribute on his part so that
they do not suffer any embarrassment.
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency
the assurances of my distinguished consideration.
H. G. Worthington, United States Minister Resident to Argentine and Paraguay
Republics.
