De Caxias to Commander W. A. Kirkland, May 23, 1868

The Marquis de Caxias to Lieutenant Commander Kirkland,

Illustrious Sir: I acknowledge the receipt of the note dated the 22d instant, directed to me by Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland, of the United States steamer Wasp, which reached me yesterday at 7 o’clock p. m.

Lieutenant W. A. Kirkland asks my permission for the steamer under his command to pass the Brazilian squadron, the division lying below Humaita, and that which forced its passage above, and to continue on up as far as Tucuara, below the mouth of the river Tebicuari, in order to receive on board Mr. Washburn with his family and baggage. Commander William A. Kirkland bases his request on the reasons given him by the above-mentioned Minister Washburn, which may be reduced to the following:

1st. The great difficulty which exists at present in the land communication between San Fernando (the headquarters of the army of Paraguay) and Curupaiti, which renders it impossible, or almost so, for his excellency, his family and servants, to arrive at the last-named place, except by water transportation.

2d. That since for military reasons the Paraguayan steamers do not descend the river so far, Minister Washburn infers that in order for himself and family to leave Paraguay, it is necessary that the United States steamer should go to some point below the mouth of the Tebicuari, signaling its arrival there; that Marshal Lopez advises him that there would be no opposition to all this on the part of Paraguay; and that, finally, at the point above mentioned, it would be easy to transfer to the North American steamer Minister Washburn and family, servants, and baggage, arriving there in a Paraguay vessel.

In reply, I will commence by expressing to Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland the great regret I feel at not being able to comply with his request, in which I am governed by considerations of the first importance and of manifest propriety.

Those military reasons of which his excellency Minister Washburn speaks as preventing the Paraguayan steamer from coming so far down the river, and which indeed hardly admit that they should go to the point indicated below the mouth of the river Tebicuary, are the same that govern me and place me in the disagreeable position of not being able to accede to the wishes of his excellency Minister Washburn and of Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland.

Operations and movements of war which shortly have to be carried into effect near the place indicated as the destination of the North American steamer render it less suitable and convenient for the proposed object of the worthy commander, whom on this occasion I ought to inform that a few days since a Paraguayan steamer, the Pirabete, I judge, in despite of these military reasons, arrived at Pilar, where she was seen and watched, and where she fired several cannon shots on shore.

What I have here briefly stated to Lieutenant Commander Kirkland does not mean that I intend to obstruct, in the least, the departure of his excellency Minister Washburn and his family from Paraguay.

If I cannot accede to the means proposed, I will point out another method which will produce the same result, uniting all the advantages prescribed by the laws of nations and of war for the observance of belligerents and neutrals. Let his excellency Mr. Washburn embark his family, servants, and baggage, as soon as may be convenient to him, in a Paraguayan steamer, which, with a flag of truce, can come down the river as far as Pilar or as Tagy. His excellency will find at either of these points all the vehicles of transportation which may be necessary to carry his family and baggage by land as far as Curupaiti, for which I will give immediate orders, satisfied that his excellency Minister Washburn will make a comfortable journey until he embarks on board the steamer Wasp at Curupaiti.

You herein see, Lieutenant Commander Kirkland, the good will and earnest desire that prompt me to aid his excellency Mr. Washburn in leaving Paraguay and in going wherever he wishes.

The reply of Lieutenant Commander Kirkland will guide me in taking the measures and the orders that may be necessary.

I cannot omit improving this opportunity of tendering to Lieutenant Commander W. A. Kirkland the assurances of my high consideration and perfect esteem.