Thomas O. Osborn to By the President: Hamilton Fish, September 29, 1874
No. 4. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Fish.
No. 22.]
Sir: Being advised that the British packet will be permitted to leave this port to-day, I take this first opportunity to inform you that on the night of the 23d instant, the two gun-boats Parana and Uruguay, belonging to the government, through the treachery of the captain of one of these gun-boats, the Parana, were seized by the nationalists, the defeated party in the late election; thereby a rebellion, an open rebellion, is inaugurated against the government.
One of the gunboats, the Uruguay, was disabled and abandoned; the Parana is now being used by the revolutionists to blockade the port, consequently no vessels have been permitted to leave.
The opposition press in this province has been suppressed; there is much excitement in this city, and so many conflicting rumors afloat that it is very difficult to get at the truth.
President Sarmiento has declared all the provinces in a state of siege, and called out the national guards. Many arrests have been made by the government. General Mitre sent in his resignation as general of the army, when an order for his arrest was returned, but he could not be found. It is reported that he has left for Montevideo; others say that he is with the southern division of the army commanded by General Rivas. I think there is no doubt that two of the divisions of the regular army have gone over to the insurgents. I learn from good authority that the rebellion was precipitated; that it was not the intention to strike during the administration of President Sarmiento, as they considered his government legal, but on the 12th of October, to prevent the inauguration of Dr. Avellaneda, who, they claim, was elected by fraud and force. The president and his officers are doing everything in their power to crush out the rebellion.
The United States steamer Wasp, A. T. Mahan commanding, arrived in this port yesterday morning. I send with this note a copy of the message of the President to Congress, in secret session, published in the Standard of this morning.
I am, &c.,