No. 17.
Mr. Osborn
to Mr. Evarts.
Buenos Ayres, June 4, 1880. (Received July 8.)
Sir: The political situation is extremely critical * *. The President, on the night of the 2d instant, about ten o’clock, left the “Red House” and the city, and went with the national troops stationed here to a station called the “Chacarita,” about six miles outside of the city, where he now has his headquarters with the troops. His ministers of government were not advised of the withdrawal of the President from the capital until the next morning, when they followed him.
Last night, the 3d instant, a majority, perhaps, of the senators and deputies of Congress withdrew, and embarked on board of an Argentine gunboat now anchored in this port, to await the orders of the President.
This movement by the national authorities was caused by the landing, without passing the custom-house, of some 8,000 Remington rifles and several batteries of Krupp steel guns to arm this province. The national government had decreed that this provincial government should not import arms without paying duties. To this the provincial authorities demurred and declared they would import arms and would pay no duties. On the night of June 1, the national authorities learned that a vessel with a cargo of arms for the provincial government was on the way up from Montevideo, and the attempt would be made to land them at the “Boca,” the mouth of a small stream at the southern portion of the city; soon a regiment of national troops passed through the city on the double quick for the “Boca,” to capture the arms, and soon after a regiment of provincial troops followed to protect them.
Both regiments took up positions near each other, and waited till daylight, when both regiments started back for their quarters, with the regiment of the line in the advance. The provincial troops had not advanced more than a half mile from the “Boca” when the vessel with the cargo of arms was espied coming into the “Boca,” chased by a national gunboat. The provincial regiment returned; the vessel gained the landing, the guns were landed, and taken to the provincial government house.
As soon as the legislature met, the govenor sent a message to that body giving a history of the transaction, which the legislature approved. The President at the same time sent a message to Congress asking permission to put this province under martial law, and mobilize the national guards of all the provinces; but the members finding at the doors of Congress provincial troops stationed by Governor Tejedor, the members [Page 24] from the other provinces refused to enter, and no quorum could be obtained.
The President then withdrew his message and thereupon adopted the policy of withdrawing from the city.
* * * * * * *
A letter addressed to the people by the President has this moment appeared, with a decree declaring Belgrano to be the headquarters of the national authorities. In his address to the people he declares Governor Tejedor a rebel, and that he, the President, will not return to the city until the armed insurrection against the authority of the nation disappears. Belgrano is about live miles from the city. The national troops from the different frontiers have been ordered to Belgrano.
Dr. Gonzalez, minister of foreign affairs, has tendered his resignation, the President’s house has been abandoned, and it is probable that the provincial authorities will take possession of it to-morrow.
I have, &c.,