Mr. Washburn to Señor Benitez.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, in which you advise me, after a brief resumé of what had passed in relation to certain persons who for some time past have been domiciled in my house, that in requesting all such persons who did not belong to the legation to leave it, I was correct in my presumption that there had never been the least Intention on the part of the government in regard to those ladies the Señora de Pereira, Mrs. Eden, and Mrs. Thomas, whose longer residence in my house was desired by Mrs. Washburn, for reasons stated in my note of yesterday, to molest them or interfere with their remaining here. To this it is added that the two latter will be advised that they may return to-day. For this promptness and consideration of Mrs. Washburn you will please accept my sincere thanks.
You then add that, in regard to the longer residence of the Señors Carreras and Rodriguez, instead of being in no other way culpable than for remaining in this legation, they are claimed by the tribunals of justice, and in a manner so peremptory that it is expected they will leave this legation by one o’clock to-day.
Having advised these two gentlemen of the contents of your note, they manifested much surprise, but expressed their readiness to go at once and meet and refute any charges that may be made against them, and they actually left before the hour indicated.
It is with as profound regret as I ever experienced in my life to have two friends whom I very much esteem, and who have been my guests for some five months, leave my house under such circumstances, as I am fully persuaded that no accusation can be brought against them from which they will not triumphantly vindicate themselves. During their long residence with me we have naturally talked with entire frankness on every manner of subject, and it appears to me that if they had either of them ever committed or connived at any act criminal or offensive to the government of Paraguay I should have learned something of it. But I have not. The first-named, Dr. Garreras, it is well known, came to Paraguay to give any assistance in his power to the cause of this country against Brazil, risking his life and fortune to arrive here; but as, his services here have not been made available, he has desired to leave it for the same object, believing that by going abroad he could have an influence in enlisting the sympathies, if not the active assistance, of one or more of the Pacific republics in behalf of this country. How such a man, whose innermost sentiments I know so well, could have committed any offense against a government he was so anxious to serve is beyond my comprehension. The same interest in the cause of Paraguay has always been evinced by Mr. Rodriguez. This gentleman, you will recollect, came to Paraguay in a diplomatic capacity, that of secretary of the [Page 740] Oriental legation, of which he was left in charge at the departure of the minister, Señor Vasquez Sagastume. After the fall of the government which he represented his diplomatic functions were suspended, and he then desired to leave the country, but as yet has not been able to do so. Yet, as you are well aware, it is laid down by all writers on the rights of legation, that until they can depart from the country the members of a once accepted legation are entitled to certain immunities; and if any one commits an offense, the government to which he had been accredited is not authorized to try him, but may send him out of the country, and demand his punishment of his own government.
As both these gentlemen have held official position, Dr. Carreras the highest, save one, in his own country, their case will naturally excite great interest, and my own conduct in the matter will be severely criticised by my own government, and very likely by others, and should any grave and serious injury befall them I shall most likely be censured for not advising them to remain in the legation, unless taken out by force. But you are aware how exceedingly anxious I have always been to avoid anything that might lead to a rupture between this government and my own, and as I am convinced they will be able to vindicate themselves, I therefore have not done so. But I am exceedingly anxious that no serious evil shall befall them, for then I can have little desire to continue in a diplomatic career, but shall have much to leave it, and not expose myself to another so painful experience.
I have only to add that if these gentlemen or Señor Leite Pereira remain in this city, it will be a great gratification to me if I may be permitted to send their meals from my house, or other things necessary to their health or comfort. Will you please advise me on this point at your earliest convenience?
The colored servant of Dr. Carreras still remains with me in the capacity of a servant.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew assurances of distinguished consideration.
His Honor Gumesindo Benitez, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.