Washburn to William A. Kirkland, May 14, 1868

Mr. Washburn to Commander Kirkland.

Sir: Your two letters of April 26 were received by me in Asuncion on the 7th instant. In your official note you advise me of the arrival of the Wasp, under your command, at Curupaiti, and that you are in readiness to take me, my family, and effects on board, and convey me to such point on the Rio de la Plata as I may prefer. You are probably aware that all land communication between this point and Curupaiti is very difficult, and that it would be impossible or nearly so for my wife, child, and servants to reach the latter place except by way of the river. You are also aware that for military reasons the Paraguay steamers do not go so far down the river. In order therefore that my family may be put on board the Wasp it is necessary that it should come higher up the river. I have therefore come down to this place to consult with his excellency Marshal Lopez, and ascertain if the military situation were such that the Wasp could without risk or difficulty come up the river to near this place. His excellency advises me that there will be no objection made on the part of Paraguay, and that the steamer can come without inconvenience to such point below the mouth of the Tebicuary as may be signaled on her arrival. At such point the transfer of all persons and effects from a Paraguay vessel may be easily made.

His excellency not only interposes no objections, to the coming up of the Wasp, but with great kindness and courtesy he has offered me letters to the commanders of the two fortified places on the river between here and Curupaiti, in which he has given orders that on your arrival at those places you will be allowed to pass without molestation. These letters I inclose to you herewith to be delivered by you accordingly as they are addressed. His excellency President Lopez has also offered kindly to provide a pilot for the steamer from Humaita to and above Timba, should it be found necessary. I think therefore you will have no difficulty in coming up to near this place.

With your letter of the 26th April I also received one, dated April 4, from Mr. Hollister, United States consul in Buenos Ayres. In this he advises me that a few days before he had delivered to the honorable Mr. Borges, Brazilian minister in Buenos Ayres, a package of correspondence, including dispatches from Washington, from Admiral Davis, and from Minister Webb, besides private letters, and that he had promised to forward them with a letter to the Marquis de Caxias, requesting him to pass them through the military lines. The consul also advised me that he had been presented with a bill against me for some provisions that had been sent some months before, and that he would notify you of the fact, that you may look for them and take them on board if you found them, and bring them up the river to me. But neither the dispatches nor the provisions have ever reached me, and you make no mention of having looked for them in your letters. It is very important that I receive everything intended for me before the Wasp returns, and I trust you will try and find all that may have been sent, and bring it with you.

I return immediately to Asuncion to have everything ready on being notified of your arrival near this place. There being constant telegraphic communication between here and the capital, you will probably be detained but a short time before all would be ready for your departure. The point on the river where you will probably come to anchor is off a place called Tacuaras, where there is a guard-house and some soldiers stationed. It is but a short distance below the Tebicuari.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,