Observations on the Present State of the Affairs of the River Plate Part 5

People sometimes think that by giving publicity to a doc.u.ment they bind down more the persons who have signed it to their engagement; this is a mistake. The only result which comes out of it is, that it makes them much more cautious and reserved in future in communicating them.

Believe me ever, my dear M. de Vidal,

Your sincere friend,

J. H. MANDEVILLE.

(PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.)

_Buenos Ayres, January 12th, 1843._

MY DEAR M. DE VIDAL,--My thanks for your letter of the 28th ult. in answer to mine of the complaints of the captain of the Fantome. It was perfectly satisfactory.

I have received a despatch from Lord Aberdeen, acquainting me that the Vidal and Ellauri treaties are under the consideration of her Majesty's Government, and that he will not fail by next packet to communicate to me the result of their deliberations.

The under Secretary of State writes me that the latter is in some measure preferred, and, therefore, it is right for me to mention this circ.u.mstance to you, in order that you may not be unprepared, should it be adopted.

Believe me, my dear M. de Vidal, ever your sincere Friend,

J. H. MANDEVILLE.

(PRIVATE.)

_Buenos Ayres, January 12th, 1843._

MY DEAR M. DE VIDAL,--When I received M. Gelly's official letter, upon the entry of Oribe's troops into the Banda Oriental, I was myself too unwell to thank you for your letter of the 28th ult. on the subject of your resignation, and too sad and discouraged by it at the idea of your retirement from office at the present moment. But now I see by the _Nacional_ of the 3rd that you have n.o.bly decided upon still retaining the Foreign and Home Departments, I am as anxious to congratulate you and your country upon this resolution, as I was averse on the day I wrote to M. Gelly to take up my pen for any body or any thing, but for this letter of yours above mentioned. The two official communications which I send you by this opportunity, would have gone with my letter to M. Gelly, luckily, its of little consequence whether you receive them now or this day month.

What has prevented the British and French naval forces from coming long before this to the River Plate, I can have no conception. The interview between the British Amba.s.sador and Guizot took place on the 9th September, when he agreed to all that Lord Cowley proposed of uniting their forces to put an end to the war. Before the end of December, I would have sworn that they would have been here. I cannot conclude my letter without expressing to you my truest thanks for the expression of your friends.h.i.+p towards me,--and my confidence that, happen what may, you will always duly appreciate my public and private conduct to you.

Believe me, my dear M. de Vidal, that my sentiments and my utmost efforts will always be in unison to draw closer the ties of friends.h.i.+p which have been so happily established, through you in great part, between the two countries where we first drew our breath, and my labour will be unceasing to preserve them unchanged.

J. H. MANDEVILLE.

_To his Excellency Don Jose Antonino Vidal._

MR. GORDON'S LETTER TO GENERAL RIVERA.

_Ytapua, September 26th, 1842._

Having arrived safely at this town on the 20th instant, I forwarded, on the same evening, a despatch to the Government of this Republic with my pa.s.sports soliciting the necessary license for myself and my companions to continue our journey to a.s.sumption. By the same opportunity I forwarded to the Consuls of the Republic the despatch with which I was charged by your Excellency.

The answer from the Consuls reached me yesterday afternoon, and with it I have received, for my own person, my two companions and servant, permission to proceed to the capital, with the a.s.surance that every a.s.sistance and protection will be afforded me. I regret having to add that this license is not extended to the Oriental escort, under whose protection and with whose a.s.sistance I have been able so fortunately to complete my journey to the Paraguay territory--for the reason (in the words of the Consuls note) of the said escort _being no longer necessary_.

On this account the Government of this Republic has granted a pa.s.sport, which Don Blas Acevedo takes with him, ordering the Paraguay authorities to render to this officer and to the men under his command every necessary a.s.sistance on his return to the camp of your Excellency, and has also forwarded the despatch which I have now the honour to transmit in answer to that of your Excellency, with which I accompanied my above-mentioned letters to the Consuls of Paraguay.

It only remains for me to express to your Excellency my perfect satisfaction in regard to the conduct of the escort, generally and individually, during the whole time that we have journeyed together. I am perfectly well aware, Excellent Sir, that such a declaration is unnecessary on my part, being confident that soldiers chosen by your Excellency for any service, would necessarily act as these have done, but I should neither satisfy my grateful feeling nor my duty, did I not state that in fulfilling their commission, both the escort and the officer that accompanied me from Monte Video, have, in every occasion and in all circ.u.mstances, been constantly active, obedient and ready to exert themselves to the utmost, and that in no instance have they given cause of complaint, either to myself or to the parties at whose houses we have stayed, or through whose lands we have pa.s.sed.

I cannot conclude without calling the attention of your Excellency to the case of the soldier Jose Arillu and to that of the coachman Antonio, both of whom have been seriously hurt in the service just completed: at present I can do no more than to recommend them to the consideration of your Excellency, but I purpose communicating the affair to my Government.

Repeating my sincere thanks, and saluting your Excellency with the expression of my highest esteem and most distinguished consideration, I have the honour to subscribe myself,

Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,

G. J. R. GORDON.

_To His Excellency Don Fructuoso Rivera, President of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, General in Chief of the army, &c. &c._

REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY.

_a.s.sumption, September 23d, 1842._

The undersigned supreme Government has received the estimable note of his Excellency the President of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, dated the 1st of August last, informing this Government of the visit of George J. R. Gordon, Esq., and his companion recommended by his Excellency to this Government, who therefore a.s.sure his Excellency that nothing is more gratifying to them than to accept the recommendation his Excellency has been pleased to direct, for the purpose indicated; and will correspond, in acting upon it, to the sentiments of friends.h.i.+p by which it is animated towards the Government of the Oriental Republic.

The Government has disposed that the escort given by his Excellency to Mr. Gordon, shall be provided with the proper pa.s.sport for his return, as it is a duty inc.u.mbent on this Government to give due fulfilment to the necessary attentions on Mr. Gordon's leaving the country.

The request of his Excellency being satisfied in all respects this Government repeats its expression of true friends.h.i.+p and esteem and affectionately salutes his Excellency.

CARLOS ANTONIO LOPEZ.

MARIANO ROQUE ALONSO.

_To his Excellency the President of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, Don Fructuoso Rivera._