Thomas O. Osborn to By the President: Hamilton Fish, April 12, 1875

No. 12. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Fish.

Sir: In my dispatch numbered 43, and dated March 15, I had the honor to inform you of the mission of Dr. Carlos Tejedor to the Brazilian government.

The departure of Dr. Tejedor has been delayed by the yellow fever reported at Rio de Janeiro. I understand now, from Mr. Lamarca, secretary of the legation, that passage has been secured on the steamer that leaves here on Thursday next.

Since my arrival here I have abstained from transmitting any opinions to the Department in reference to the foreign affairs of this country, as I desire first to acquire some knowledge of its language and history, to enable me to do so with some exactness.

Since the dispatch of the acting chargé d’affaires of this legation, dated November 15, 1872, and published by the Department, the official correspondence has been confined to matters of routine, caused doubtless by the frequent changes in the personnel of the legation.

I think it not improper now to take up the thread of events concerning the Paraguayan question since the date of the above dispatch, and unravel it to the present time, as another and probably successful effort is about to be made to settle it between Brazil and the Argentine Republic, the two principal parties to the controversy.

The somewhat celebrated note of Dr. Tejedor to the Brazilian governent, dated April 27, 1872, which was transmitted to you with the dispatch mentioned, remains as yet without any substantial contradiction, and must, I think, be considered as already belonging to the truths of history.

The mission of General Mitre to Rio de Janeiro subsequent to the note of Dr. Tejedor, while serving to pacify the irritation caused by the language of the note, in fact accomplished nothing as regards the main question of the limits beween the Argentine and Paraguayan Republics, to which is intimately allied the evacuation of Paraguay and of the Argentine island of Cerrito, at the junction of the Rivers Parana and Paraguay, by the forces of Brazil.

In the agreement, the sole result of this mission, signed by the Brazilian and Argentine plenipotentiaries at Rio de Janeiro, and which was approved by the Argentine government, but as yet never sent to Congress for ratification. Article VI provides that the two contracting parties shall withdraw their forces then in Paraguay (November, 1872) within three months after the celebration of the definitive treaties with Paraguay; or, in case of a delay of more than six months from the date of this agreement, then Brazil and the Argentine Republic will come to an understanding as to a time for the evacuation, when Brazil will also leave the island of Cerrito, (or Otajo.)

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The discussion of boundaries between this country and Bolivia has made no progress for more than a year, although Dr. Tejedor placed on record some three years ago the cordial desire of this Government to help Bolivia to a solution of its difficulties, by granting a liberal boundary, and material aid to construct a railway (originated by an American citizen) from the capital of Sucre to the River Paraguay, by the valley of the Pilcomayo, its natural southern outlet.

These limits are intimately connected with all the other matters above mentioned, and perhaps a tripartite arrangement between the three republics would be the best way to settle them, although it does not appear that Paraguay has any original right or reasonable claim to any part of the Chaco. I have conversed with several Paraguayans, and they all say that a separate jurisdiction over the opposite bank of their river is the only way to enable civilization to penetrate to their country, as well as the only safeguard of their own lives in case of insurrection or revolution. The latter has proved to be the case several times in the last three or four years. The claim to the opposite bank they declare really originated, and is sustained by the influence of the Brazilian government, with their chiefs, for the sole purpose of preventing that friendship between the two republics which a common origin and a common interest so imperatively require.

Dr. Tejedor goes to Rio de Janeiro to make a fifth attempt to bring all these difficulties to a final solution. He goes, as it is understood, at the express desire of the Emperor, and under positive promises previously rendered, which will probably make his mission a success on Argentine principles. But time alone can prove the truth of this.

In the event of an unfavorable result, I think no war will ensue between the two countries for some time, as I think neither party is mad enough to desire it or begin it, and would prefer to wait and leave matters as at present.

The whole diplomatic and consular corps at Montevideo, a few days ago, protested against the passage of a law making paper money a legal tender there. The Argentine government immediately by telegraph disapproved of the action of its minister, and ordered him to withdraw his signature and apologize. This act has been severely commented on by the press, and the course of this government fully approved.

I have, &c.,