Mr. Washburn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I left the camp of President Lopez about 2 o’clock yesterday, being provided with a coach to take me to his advanced post, and an adequate escort. An officer had been previously sent over to communicate with the advanced guard on this side, and brought word back that there would be no inconvenience in my passing through to this camp. We came on with the flag of truce and the American flag in advance till we met the escort sent to meet us, when the Paraguayans turned back, and I came direct to headquarters of the commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Caxias. Before starting I had prepared a letter for him, as I did not know but it might be necessary to communicate with him from his advanced guard, and besides I desired an answer from him in writing. This letter I delivered to him, explaining the circumstances. Before reading it he asked if I came on my own account, or that of President Lopez. I answered on my own, and the letter would explain all the circumstances. He then sent it to be translated, and we began conversing on the present state of affairs. He said the allies would never treat with President Lopez; would not begin to do it; would entertain nothing from him in any way except on condition of his leaving the government and the country; that the offer of mediation, by General Asboth, on the part of the United States government, had not been accepted, nor would any mediation as between them and Lopez be accepted. I soon learned that the condition of affairs on this side was very different from what it had been represented to be on the other, and to all appearances the end was near. It is true there has been scarcely any fighting for the last six months, only a useless bombardment from side to side. But this army appears to be infinitely better organized than ever before, and at least three times as numerous as the other, besides having an immense squadron. The position of the Paraguay army, it is true, is as strong as labor, with swamps and morasses, as if placed for the purpose, can make it. But the whole army is within the same intrenched camp. And they are very anxious to be attacked where they are. But General Caxias says all these intrenchments can avail them nothing if he chooses to attack far away from them, as I conclude he will do. He says that General Osorio is approaching the Parana above this place some 30 leagues, and that he will pass it at Itapua or Nicarnacion, and will then I suppose march straight for Asuncion, or to the Paraguay river below there to cut off the retreat of Lopez. In the event of such a flank movement Lopez cannot spare any price whatever to check it, and his cause will then be desperate.
One of my first inquiries of the Marquis de Oaxias was for news from the United States, as I had had nothing later than October. But I learned that nothing for me had been sent here since December. The marquis told me, however, that he had received a letter from Buenos Ayres saying that General Asboth had made an effort to communicate with me, and had proposed to ome up the river on a man-of-war, but that they, (the authors of the letter,) after a confidential understanding with Admiral Godon, had so arranged it that he was not to come, but instead of him an ensign from the squadron was to be sent. I will make no comment on these confidential interviews of the admiral, the object of which seems to be to defeat the diplomatic agents of his government in the performance of their duties and instructions. After having caused me a delay of nearly a year in reaching this country, and of some four or five months after getting instructions to send me forward in a vessel of war, he still remains in a position to do me great injury, and make my residence in Paraguay very unpleasant, and with a disposition to do it. I therefore ask to be recalled, and that when I am recalled some means may be furnished me to get out of the country, should the war and the blockade continue so long.
[Page 715]I propose to return to the Paraguay camp to-morrow, without a line or word either from the United States or Buenos Ayres. From the Buenos Ayres newspapers I have learned something of the unhappy political aspect of affairs at home, and with only this to console me I shall return to await for better news whenever it may suit the admiral’s pleasure for me to receive it. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.