No. 189.] No. 10. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Evarts. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Buenos Ayres, May 14, 1878. (Received June 26.) SIR: The annual session of the Argentine Congress was formally opened by the reading of the message by the President on the 6th instant to both houses of Congress in the chamber of deputies. The President, after saluting the senators and deputies, and assuring them that every year constitutional principles are striking their roots deeper, opens his message by referring to the conciliation policy adopted by the administration, and says that many European and American statesmen were so impressed with that policy at Buenos Ayres, that they ask themselves if such were not preferable to the system of repression used in Europe which perpetuates violent rancor, and, as a proof of the success of the policy of conciliation, refers to the fact that three millions of Argentines united in the celebration of the centenary of St. Martin. The President claims that there is peace in the republic, but that in two or three of the provinces a bad state of affairs exists; that the revolt in the province of Sante Fé had been suppressed by Governor Iriondo with superior force, and that the national government had intervened, on the call of Governor Dirqui, in the province of Corrientes for the purpose of maintaining peace in that province, and that he now submits the whole matter to Congress for solution, and recommends, for the peace and the prosperity of the province, that a new election should be called for the purpose of designating the governor of the province under the auspices of national intervention which should secure free suffrage to all. It appears from the message that the total national debt amounts to $61,277,802, of which more than one-half are European loans, and the balance a home debt, except about two millions called the floating debt. These figures show a reduction of the national debt in the year 1877 of more than $4,000,000 from that of the year 1876. The President congratulates Congress, that although the revenue did not come up to or meet expectations, the government has spent $8,000,000 less in the year 1877 than Congress had authorized, and claims that the apparent decline of 7 per cent. in the exports was due to the fact of reduced valuation on wool and hides, &c., as it was found that the quantities exported in 1877 exceeded those of the year 1876, but the valuation was reduced 15 per cent. The number of immigrants to this country for the year 1877, is summed up as 29,000, the same as for the previous year, and the message claims that it is more than the aggregate of arrivals from Europe to all the other countries of South America. With reference to foreign affairs in the message, the President states that the relations with all countries are friendly, and that Congress will hear with pleasure that protocols of a treaty, putting an end to the long and vexed questions with Chili, have been signed and approved by both governments; that the question at issue will be left to arbitration. This statement is questioned, and a portion of the native press, La Tribuno and La Libertad, published in this city, claim that the statement is incorrect; that the only agreement arrived at is to leave it to arbitration, and that none of the details are settled as a basis for arbitration, and that Barros Arana, the Chilian minister, has expressed his discontent in reference to the statement in the message. The matter is still being discussed by the press; and Dr. Elizalde, late minister of foreign affairs, comes out in a letter to the public supporting the statement in the message, that everything had been agreed upon and arranged for arbitration. It is probable that nothing will be definitely known until the President lays the matter before Congress for approval. The President made but little or no reference to the ministerial crisis (noted in my dispatch No. 184) in his message, which continued until some three days after the opening of Congress. At the date of my dispatch, numbered 184, it was reported and understood that the ministers appointed and assigned to their respective departments by the President in the reconstruction of his cabinet had accepted, but after the lapse of a few days it was found that the newly appointed ministers declined to accept, and that Drs. Irigoyen and Plaza had tendered their resignation. The resignation of Dr. Irigoyen was accepted, but the President declined to accept that of Dr. Plaza, minister of finance. On the 8th instant the President completed the reconstruction of his cabinet, and it is now composed of Drs. Laspur, minister of interior; Plaza, minister of finance; Lastra, minister of worship; General Roca, minister of war and marine; and M. A. de Montes de Oca, minister of foreign affairs. I have, &c., No. 11. THOS. O. OSBORN. Mr. Garcia to Mr. Evarts. [Translation.] ARGENTINE LEGATION, Washington, November 29, 1877. (Received Nov. 30.) Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: With real satisfaction I transmit to you copies of two dispatches which I have just received from the minister of foreign relations, with instructions to bring their contents to the knowledge of the President. The lofty and patriotic policy inaugurated by the present administration, supported by public opinion in that country, begins to produce the most beneficial results in the Argentine Republic, which feels it an honor, and has always done so, to imitate the examples furnished by the Great Republic to the democracy of America. My government hopes that the friendly relations which exist between the two countries will be daily more firmly consolidated, to produce which result the development of our mutual commercial interests contributes in an eminent degree. I take liberty to inclose, at the same time, a copy of the addresses delivered by the President of the republic on the occasion of the popular assemblage held at Buenos Ayres for the purpose of ratifying the conciliation of parties in the Argentine nation. I avail, &c., MANUEL R. GARCIA. [Inclosure 1.-Translation.] The minister of foreign relations to Mr. Garcia. BUENOS AYRES, October 15, 1877. Mr. MINISTER: The policy inaugurated by the President of the republic in the message which he addressed to Congress on opening the sessions of this year, and the acts performed by him, have been followed by a result which surpasses the hopes even of those who were most sanguine concerning this far-seeing attitude which he assumed with patriotic sentiments. Yesterday, on leaving the Temple at the conclusion of the solemn Te Deum, at which nearly the entire population of Buenos Ayres was present, the President found the republic in all the plenitude of its moral and material power, thus reaping the well-earned fruit of a policy which is destined to redound to the welfare of the country and of the nations with which we are on terms of friendship. For the first time since our emancipation, the republic has a national authority, which, controlling all its elements, can rely upon the support of all its inhabitants, both native and foreign. The republic needed this power in order to maintain its friendly relations with all nations on a footing of reciprocal justice and equity, and Divine Providence will inspire the President so to use this power as to draw closer its relations with friendly nations and to maintain them cordially. Your excellency will endeavor to make known these facts and statements to the government to which you are accredited, for the sake of the mutual benefits which they cannot fail to produce. God guard your excellency many years. To Dr. MANUEL R. GARCIA, RUFINO DE ELIZALDE. Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of the Argentine Republic. [Inclosure 2.-Translation.] The minister of foreign affairs to Mr. Garcia. BUENOS AYRES, October 20, 1877. Mr. MINISTER: Internal order being secured by the aid of the whole people, it only remains to settle the Chilian question, which is the only one that disturbs the peace of the republic with other nations. I entertain the hope of continuing the negotiation which was left open and pending, and which was conducted by my predecessor with a zeal and tact that entitle him to the gratitude of the country. I entertain this hope, I say, because the Chilian minister is expected every moment from Rio de Janeiro, and I have satisfactory evidence that he has received orders from his government. I have prepared all the drafts for the conclusion of the necessary conventions according to the agreements made by the Argentine and Chilian ministers. These drafts have been approved by the government and by competent persons. There is every reason to hope that the new negotiations will be successful, provided Chili will agree to reasonable conditions. God guard your excellency many years. To Dr. MANUEL R. GARCIA, RUFINO DE ELIZALDE. Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of the Argentine Republic. No. 12. Mr. Evarts to Mr. Garcia. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have had the honor to receive your note of the 29th ultimo. It is accompanied by a copy of two instructions which have recently been addressed to you by your government, which you say you have been directed to communicate to this. I thank you for the opportunity of reading them. They indeed indicate a high and patriotic policy, the good effects of which it is gratifying to learn from you had already become apparent. Such a policy does honor to the enlightened statesmen who now guide the destinies of the Argentine Republic, and cannot fail to develop the rich physical resources comprised within its limits, to preserve internal peace and strengthen friendly relations with all foreign powers, especially with the United States. I also thank you for the copy of the addresses of the President of that republic to which you advert. I avail, &c., No. 13. Mr. Garcia to Mr. Evarts. [Translation.] WM. M. EVARTS. ARGENTINE LEGATION, Washington, March 23, 1878. (Received March 23.) Monsieur le MINISTRE: Next Monday, March 25, I shall have the honor to present the memorial, documents, charts, and books, relating to the question of boundaries between the Argentine Republic and Paraguay, submitted to the arbitration of his Excellency the President of the United States. If it is considered necessary to designate a day to personally deliver said documents to his Excellency the President, I will thank you to inform me. Please accept, &c., MANUEL R. GARCIA. No. 14. Mr. Evarts to Mr. Garcia. 1 DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, March 23, 1878. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this date, representing that on the 25th instant you intend to present the memorial documents, charts and books, relating to the question of boundaries between the Argentine Republic and Paraguay, submitted to the arbitration of the President of the United States. You also request that you may be informed if it should be considered necessary personally to deliver those documents to the President. In reply I have to state that that course is not regarded as necessary on your part. I avail, &c., WM. M. EVARTS. No. 15. Mr. Garcia to Mr. Evarts. [Translation.] ARGENTINE LEGATION, Washington, March 25, 1878. (Received March 25.) Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: According to the stipulations of Article 8, of the treaty of limits between the Argentine Republic and that of Paraguay, I have the honor to present the memorandum and the documentary evidence of the sovereign rights of my government to the territory comprised between the Verde, Paraguay, and Pilcomayo Rivers. In this memorandum will be found a historical discussion of the section of the Chaco, situated south of this latter river, from its principal branch; this zone is no longer a subject of dispute, according to the aforesaid treaty of limits. Thus the territory which is submitted to the decision of the President embraces, to the north of the principal branch of the Pilcomayo, 25° 20′ south latitude, according to the plan of Mouchez, as far as the Rio Verde, 23° 10' south latitude, including the Villa Occidental; this territorial area being bounded by the Paraguay River on the east. The task of the plenipotentiaries who are charged with the defenseof the respective claims of the two countries being confined to the simple presentation of memorandums, documents, plans and references,. this one is limited to a refutation of the arguments advanced by Mr.. Miranda in behalf of Paraguay in the counter-memorandum of 1873, and by Mr. Falcon in 1871. I have considered a translation of all the documents unnecessary or superfluous, contenting myself with indicating the main points; others are sent in Spanish, especially those of reference, the translation of which I have not thought indispensable. I am ready, however, to give such explanations as may be deemed necessary, and to supply the complement of the proofs that may be required, as also to furnish any authentications or translations that may be designated. The memorandum consists of 155 folios, and the accompanying documents of 314. The maps which illustrate the memorandum are the following: No. 1, map of the Vice-royalty of Buenos Ayres, by Don Felix de Azara; No. 2, map of the Vice-royalty of Buenos Ayres, by Don Miguel de Lastarria; No. 3, map of Paraguay, by E. Mouchez, lieutenant in the French navy; No. 4, map of the Chaco, and of Paraguay, by Azara; No. 5, chorographic map of the Vice-royalty of Buenos Ayres,. by Lastarria; No. 6, extract from the map of South America, by Don Francisco Requena; No. 7, extract from the general map of South America, by Don Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olmedilla. Maps 2 and 5,. made by Lastarria, are exhibited only temporarily, a duly authenticated photographic copy having been ordered to take the place of those now sent. I also take the liberty of adding the following works, which are referred to in the text: "Limits between Paraguay and the Argentine Republic," by Messrs. Saravia and Trelles, 1 vol., 2d; "Posthumous Memoirs of Don Felix de Azara on the agricultural condition of Rio de la Plata," 1 vol., 3d; Memoirs (Report?) of the ministry of foreign relations of the Argentine Republic, 1874-1876, 2 vols., 4th; "Our Bolivian Frontier," by Juan M. Sequizaman, 1 vol., 5th; "Extract from the papers of Father Francisco Aman Gonzales," copied from the manuscript annexed. to that of Don Miguel de Lastarria, entitled "Eastern Colonies of the |