MONTEVIDEO.
_September 30th._—New aspects in the political affairs of the La Plata,
led to the return of the Congress to this place, early last month.
Previous to our departure from Rio de Janeiro, the U. S. steamer
Susquehanna, hearing the flag of Commodore Aulick, of the East Indian
squadron, arrived there, bringing as passengers, the Hon. Mr. Schenck,
chargé d’affaires at the court of Brazil, and the Hon. Mr. Pendleton,
commissioned with the same office to the Argentine Confederation. This
last gentleman came to Montevideo in the Congress, on his way to Buenos
Ayres.
The French Government not having sanctioned the articles of
pacification, agreed upon by Admiral Le Predour and General Oribe; a
year and more ago, the armistice between the belligerent parties on
shore is terminated. Hostilities are again commenced by the interchange
of occasional shots between the outposts, and now and then a slight
skirmish, in which a few persons on both sides are wounded, and
sometimes one or two killed.
The change would be comparatively of little importance, as to the
promise of any speedy issue, were it not for simultaneous movements
connected with it, on the part of Brazil on the one side, and two of the
principal States of the Argentine Confederacy—those of Entre-Rios and
Corrientes—on the other. By reference to an atlas, it will be perceived
that the chief rivers, whose confluent waters form the Rio de la
Plata,—the Uruguay, the Parana, and the Paraguay, corresponding in their
extent and their importance to the broad valleys through which they flow
with the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi of the Northern
Continent—have their rise in Brazil, and, in their course, border her
territories for long distances. The free navigation of these is
essential to her interests. One chief object in the policy of Rosas,
however, has been to keep them closed to all foreign commerce, that the
trade of the confederacy might centre exclusively in Buenos Ayres; and
thus to enrich and aggrandize her, at the sacrifice of the interest both
of Brazil and of the sister republics of the confederation. All
negotiation on the part of the court of Brazil, to secure free access to
the interior of the Empire by the tributaries of the Plata, having
proved abortive, that government has determined to try the effect of
arms. General Urquiza, the President of the States of Entre-Rios and
Corrientes, long the principal coadjutor of Rosas, and the most
successful and distinguished of his soldiers, weary of his tyranny, and
opposed to his narrow-minded and selfish policy, has entered into a
compact with Brazil to aid in the accomplishment of her purpose. The
first object to be attained is the overthrow of Oribe, and the
consequent relief of Montevideo from siege; and thus to lay the basis
for a joint attack on Buenos Ayres. Urquiza, with a force of fifteen or
twenty thousand Entre-Rians and Corrientans, is approaching in one
direction; and the Baron Caxias, having an equal force of Brazilian
infantry and artillery, in another: while a squadron, consisting of a
frigate, two sloops of war and three steamers, under the command of
Admiral Grenfell, has arrived from Rio, and is at anchor near us.
This determination of Urquiza, as the governor of two of the
principal Argentine States, and the public measure by which it was
avowed, have led to a striking proof of the mendacity, by which it
is charged that Rosas has hitherto sustained his despotic sway. It
is said, and with no little show of truth, that his whole system of
government—notwithstanding the boasted patriotism, disinterested and
self-sacrificing toil in the public service, which the press and
archives of the confederacy printed by his order and under his
immediate personal control, attribute to him—is but a cunningly
devised tissue of deception and falsity.
For years, it has been the custom of Rosas formally to tender to the
representatives of the confederation, the resignation of his office as
Minister for Foreign Affairs, pleading to be released from it, on the
grounds of the great burden of the charge, his advancing age, broken
constitution, and declining health. This is invariably followed by the
most laudatory and fulsome panegyrics, from the leading members of the
House, upon his character—the value of his past services, and the
necessity of their continuance, and the unanimous resolution that he
shall still fill the office: it being well known that not a member
dare—even if he had the secret will—to move or second the acceptance of
the proffered resignation. The Archivo Argentino, or Government
Register, printed in English, and French, and Spanish, and sent widely
over the civilized world, is filled with the record of these political
farces. This year, however, Urquiza, as the President or Governor of
Entre-Rios and Corrientes, promptly accepted the resignation; and by
public proclamation, released Rosas from all further charge of the
foreign relations of those States. The address of Rosas to the House of
Representatives, in view of this defection, has just been issued. It is
strikingly characteristic of the man, and is a curiosity, both as a
literary production and a document of State. As such, I furnish it to
you entire, though not responsible for the translation; that is by
‘authority,’ and is taken from the official print.
The first two lines of the motto it bears are the prescribed caption of
every official paper, from the most important to the most trifling; and
are stamped on the badges, hitherto universally worn by the Argentines.
The third line is an addition just decreed. The terms “Unitarian” and
“Federal,” designate the original parties in the confederation; the
first being applied to those who are in favor of a consolidated
government, similar to that of the United States, and the last to those
who advocate that of the compact at present existing. Under Rosas, the
Unitarian party became outlawed and in effect exterminated.
LONG LIVE THE ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION!
DEATH TO THE RUTHLESS, LOATHSOME UNITARIANS!
DEATH TO THE INSANE TRAITOR, THE RUTHLESS UNITARIAN
URQUIZA!
PALERMO DE SAN BENITO, Sept. 15th, 1851—
Year the 42d of Liberty, 36th of our Independence, and 22d of
the Argentine Confederation—
To the Honorable House of Representatives—
MESSIEURS REPRESENTATIVES:—
To command the Republic during a long period of agitation and
social disorder; to save the country from fratricidal war; to
accompany it in the glorious defence of its liberties; and
contribute to preserve it from the ambition of the destructive
and treacherous band of ruthless Unitarians, was the eminently
honorable mission that the Argentine people imposed upon me, and
which I gratefully accepted with the enthusiasm and love due to
my country and to my fellow-citizens.
After a memorable epoch, in which was assigned to the Argentine
Confederation the glory of consolidating its independence,
overwhelming its enemies; and to the undersigned, the
distinguished honor of presiding over it; after the Republic had
suppressed internal anarchy and was in the enjoyment of peace,
developing its elements of prosperity, I considered the moment
had arrived to resign the supreme command, to which I had been
exalted by the spontaneous, reiterated suffrage of my
countrymen,—and I earnestly requested you to appoint another
citizen as my successor.
You refused to admit my fervent prayer—the inhabitants of this
province also opposed it with kind firmness, and exercising the
right of petition, begged your honors to persist in not acceding
to my repeated tenders of resignation; and the Provinces of the
Confederation, expressing their wishes through their Honorable
Legislatures and Governments, likewise exacted, with generous
interest, my continuation at the head of the national affairs,
as the means of insuring the present happy condition of the
Republic, and of preparing for it a glorious future.
Overpowered by such decision, and so much benevolence; oppressed
by a deep-felt gratitude toward the Argentine Federals, yet
destitute of words becomingly to express those feelings, I
presented to your honors, to my fellow-citizens, and to the
confederate provinces, the homage of my most ardent and profound
acknowledgment—I recognized with veneration the immense debt
which the magnanimous vote of the republic imposed upon me, but
unwilling to sacrifice to grateful emotions the sacred interests
of my country, I continued vehemently yet respectfully to demand
from your honors and the confederate provinces a successor, who,
unbiassed by the scruples arising from my republican views,
could co-operate more efficaciously than myself, to the
aggrandizement of our dearly beloved country.
The tranquillity which the Republic experienced, the union which
prevailed throughout its provinces, the wisdom with which,
ameliorating its institutions, it expanded the resources of its
welfare, and the external peace which its loyal, upright and
generous policy towards all nations foreshadowed, indicated to
me that the moment had presented itself for resigning the
command, without injury to the nation.
Animated by so cheering a conviction, I insisted in my fervid
renunciation before your honors, and the confederate Provinces,
believing that my prayer, the sincerity of my words, and the
cogency of my reasons, would duly influence the minds of the
Argentine people, and induce them to accede to my separation
from the supreme authority.
But while I expected this, and the undisturbed state of the
Republic warranted me to entertain such a hope; at this very
moment, the insane traitor, the ruthless Unitarian Urquiza,
raised the standard of rebellion and anarchy. Aspiring to sever,
with his degraded sword, the bonds that unite the people of
Entre-Rios to the confederation, and to constitute himself the
arbiter of the Argentines, he ignominiously sold himself to the
Brazilian Government, that, persisting in its obstinate
ambition, has invaded and attacked, with unprecedented
treachery, the territory and the Independence of the Republics
of the Plata.
In so solemn a crisis for the Argentine community, when its
loyal sons, displaying, as at all times, their renowned valor,
rise in arms to resist and chastise their enemies, avenging so
many and such scandalous outrages; when they prepare themselves
with sublime self-denial for the most honorable efforts, I have
received a new declaration from the Confederate Provinces, that
peremptorily demands my continuance in the supreme command, and
of which you will be informed by the correspondence that I will
have the honor of presenting.
And since the nation so demands it of me, in such critical
moments for its tranquillity; since in the presence of violent
foreign aggressions, and an unexampled rebellion, my compatriots
request me to accompany them in the post I occupy, to defend our
independence and national honor; since the Republic, exasperated
by the audacious hostilities of the Brazilian Government, and
the treason of the ruthless Unitarians, prepares to retaliate
the war which they have precipitated; at so notable an epoch I
cannot refuse, nor do I refuse, honorable Representatives, my
continuance in the Government, provided your honors, my
compatriots, and the Confederate Provinces consider that it may
be useful and necessary to the national welfare.
Consistently with my principles, my obligations, and my
reputation, I cheerfully defer to the call of the Republic in
the actual circumstances, and thus continuing in the supreme
command, I also will have the signal honor of accompanying my
beloved federal compatriots, in their heroic resolution of
vindicating the national independence and glory, attacked by the
perfidious Brazilian Cabinet, by the ruthless, loathsome
Unitarians, and by the despicable insane traitor, the ruthless
Unitarian Urquiza.
In accordance with this determination, I therefore present
myself, in the same manner as the loyal Argentines, resolved to
fulfil once more my reiterated pledge, of sacrificing all in
defence of the order, the liberty, and the honor of the
Confederation.
My fellow-citizens, who have always found me participating in
their difficulties, will now find me the same, with sound and
robust health, and always consistent with those principles. They
will see that, if when the Republic enjoyed peace and
tranquillity, I desired to withdraw from the supreme command, to
continue my services in some other subaltern post, where I might
have performed them to advantage, now that new enemies of the
Confederation appear, and that the loathsome band of the
ruthless Unitarians, headed by the insane traitor, ruthless
Unitarian Urquiza, dares to raise its bloody standard, here I
am, ready at the call of the nation, and with energy equal to my
duties, and to the hopes of the public, willing to contend in
union with the virtuous Argentine Federals, till we have left
triumphant and consolidated, the independence, the rights, the
dignity, and the future fate of the nation.
This, Messrs. Representatives, is the resolution I have adopted
in view of the present events and circumstances.
And desiring ere now to transmit it to your knowledge, I had the
honor of announcing it verbally to the Honorable President, and
to one of the deputy secretaries of your honorable Corporation,
requesting the former, on reporting it to the Honorable
Representatives, at the first session they might have, to
reiterate to them my profound gratitude.
God preserve your honors for many years.
JUAN MANUEL DE ROSAS.
_October 6th._—Affairs on shore are rapidly approaching a crisis. Oribe,
who led his troops westward some days ago, to meet the advancing force
of Urquiza, has been driven back into what has been so long his
besieging camp; and, cut off both from the interior and the river, he is
virtually the besieged instead of the besieger. Deserted already by some
of his troops, who have joined the advancing enemy; limited in the
supply of provisions for those who remain; and daily more and more
closely encircled, he must speedily capitulate, or fall in an unequal
conflict.
The external aspect of the region about the Mount is completely changed.
Instead of the utter desertion which has hitherto marked it, without a
sign of man or beast over its whole extent, it now exhibits every where
the animation and activity of a bee-hive. A detachment of Urquiza’s
cavalry, in charge of vast herds of cattle for the subsistence of his
army, has taken possession of the Mount; and their horses, tethered and
grazing, are passing up and down its sides, from the beach to the little
fortress on the summit, and run straying about in every direction. The
intervening heights of the country, are crested with mounted videttes,
almost within gun-shot of the encampment and batteries of Oribe, as if
the force of which they are the advance guard was already in battle
array; presenting, through a glass, picturesque and striking objects, as
they stand with poised lances and fluttering pennons, in strong relief
against the sky. It was confidently expected, from the general
appearance of things, that an assault would take place last night; but
it passed without any thing more than a random shot occasionally from a
musket, and now and then the booming of a great gun.
During the long siege of nine years, a large town, numbering eight or
ten thousand inhabitants, has grown up in the vicinity of the encampment
of Oribe. It is called “Restoracion,” in reference to the object of this
chieftain—the restoration of himself to supreme power, or the
restoration, as he may consider it, of peace and prosperity to the
Republic. It is a port of entry, with an open roadstead, called the
Buçeo, five miles east of Montevideo. The greatest consternation
prevailed there at first, when Oribe, breaking up his encampment,
marched forth to meet Urquiza, with orders for his whole force to
follow: leaving Restoracion entirely unprotected. It was industriously
rumored that the departure of his troops would be the signal for an
attack by the soldiers of Montevideo, with liberty from their commanding
officers of pillage and rapine. Representations of this were made to the
various foreign squadrons here, and a vessel of war from each was
despatched to the Buçeo, to afford protection to any of the inhabitants
who might seek an asylum, by flying to them. The alarm, however, has in
a great degree subsided, from the return of Oribe, and a proclamation by
the Government of Montevideo, with orders under the severest penalties,
against every act of aggression and violence by the soldiery in case of
the occupation of the place by them.
The Mount being now, for the first time since our arrival in the Plata,
free of access without an apprehension of risk or annoyance of any kind,
Captain McIntosh gave Dr. C—— and me a row in his gig to visit it. It
was a great treat to ramble freely over the hitherto forbidden ground,
and from the summit to command, at a single glance, the topography of
the whole country for miles, as if it were a map before us: all, too,
robed in the fresh and bright green of the opening spring. The general
surface of the region in view here, as indeed throughout the republic,
is a rolling prairie. Covered now with vast herds of cattle and droves
of horses, and the rude encampments of the liberating army, in bivouac
here and there in the distance, it reminded me much of some of Catlin’s
pictures, illustrative of scenes and scenery in the Buffalo and Indian
regions of the far West. Oribe’s encampments and defences, with the town
of Restoracion and its port, were in distinct view in the east, over and
beyond Montevideo. There was less appearance of immediate hostilities,
than on the day previous. An armistice of twenty-four hours for
negotiation, had been agreed upon. The videttes and reconnoitring
parties had been withdrawn, and the detachments of troops in sight were
dismounted, and lounging about among their grazing horses and cattle.
Some two or three hundred German troops, mercenaries in the employ of
Brazil, who had arrived by water, were on the beach immediately beneath
us, in entire readiness for marching—their baggage-carts and other
appliances of war prepared for immediate movement. They are a
fine-looking corps; young, healthful, and fresh, enlisted in Holstein
with the expectation of remaining in the country as settlers. The day
was bright and beautiful, and the excursion of an hour or two,
exceedingly pleasant.
_October 10th._—The pacification hoped for, has actually taken place, by
the unconditional surrender of Oribe, with his entire force, amounting
to some fifteen thousand men to Urquiza. This occurred on the 8th inst.,
and was officially proclaimed throughout the city the same evening. The
ringing of all the bells of the place, the firing of cannon and
musketry, the setting off of rockets and the glaring of bonfires,
assured us on board ship of the reality. The next morning the whole city
seemed but a floating mass of flags, thrown to the breeze from every
pinnacle and house-top, exhibiting all the colors of the rainbow, in the
devices of every civilized banner; English, French, and American,
Austrian, Prussian and Sardinian, Peruvian and Chilian, Dutch,
Montevidean and Brazilian. Captain McIntosh took me early on shore with
him. A suspension of all business, and the general holiday of a week,
had been proclaimed by the government; and the people both within the
city and without, were half mad with joy. And well might they be, after
nine years of non-intercourse—those within, pent up for that length of
time in the narrow limits of their walls and fortified lines, and those
without, cut off from all communication with the town. The consequence
has been a general rush of men, women and children, from the town to the
country, now in all the freshness and bright verdure of spring; while
the outsiders, so long excluded, have hastened with like eagerness, if
not in equal numbers, to the streets and squares of the city. The scene
presented was one of great and sometimes touching excitement, in the
meeting for the first time in years, of those bound to each other in the
closest ties of relationship. Husbands and wives, parents and children,
brothers and sisters, lovers and friends, who had been thus separated,
rushed into each other’s arms in the open streets. An American lady told
me she could never have imagined such a spectacle; and could scarcely do
any thing for the day, but stand in the balcony of her house,
alternately in laughter and in tears, at the scenes, comic and tragic,
taking place around her. The enjoyment of a pic-nic seemed the
prevailing passion of the citizens. Whole families were met by us in
numbers setting off on foot, with baskets of refreshments, attended, in
some instances, by servants bearing side-saddles for the ladies; horses
being procurable outside, not for the hire of a day only, but in full
possession at a price of one or two dollars. Some of the riders, we were
afterwards told, were placed in rather an awkward predicament, however,
after having proceeded some distance on their new purchases, by having
the animals reclaimed and seized by their true owners, the soldiers from
whom they had been bought having stolen them.
It is a subject for devout thankfulness, that thus far this important
change has taken place without an instance, so far as is known, of
violence or outrage. Those, who, a week ago, were ready to cut each
other’s throats, are embracing as they meet, and rejoicing together,
that for the time being at least, “the sword is turned into the
ploughshare, and the spear into the pruning hook.” There are, however,
among those who have unconditionally capitulated, twenty or thirty
officers who are trembling for their lives. One of these, who is
particularly obnoxious to the Montevideans, as a deserter from their
service to that of Oribe, reached the American consulate just as we
entered. Partly in disguise, he had ridden at full speed through the
streets, and dashing, without dismounting, through the open portal into
the inner court, threw himself on the mercy of the consul for the
protection of his life. He feared that to be recognized would be but to
die by the hands of the first one of the citizens who could lay hold on
him. He is a fine-looking fellow, and was splendidly mounted, but was in
a tremor of agitation.
In the course of the morning, I took a stroll some distance beyond the
city gates, and found abundant subjects for observation in the endless
variety of costume, colors, and character exhibited by the
outsiders—civilians and soldiers, men, women and children, who were
thronging to the city in great numbers; all, of course, on horseback,
for in this country even the beggars are mounted. In many instances, it
is true, two persons rode the same horse; in some cases three; and in
one even four—a man and his wife with each a child in their arms: the
entire family, it is probable, thus seeking a glimpse of the city. The
most amusing spectacle of the kind I noticed, was a cavalier quite
dashingly equipped, with a goodly-sized live hog tied to the saddle
behind him, in the manner of a valise in travelling. The head of the
animal—quietly submissive to his destiny—hung down on one side, and the
nether limbs on the other, while the equilibrium of the whole was
preserved by a firm grasp of the captive’s tail in the left hand of the
rider!
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