LA PLATA: 



THE AEGENTINE CONFEDERATION, 



AND 



PARAGUAY. 



Being a Narrative of the Exploration of the Tributaries of the Eiver 

 La Plata and Adjacent Countries, during the Years 1853, '54, '55, 

 and '56, under the orders of the United States Government. 



BY THOMAS J. PAGE, U.S.N., 



Commander of the Expedition. 





 One Volume Large Octavo, with Map and numerous Illustrations. 



Muslin, Three Dollars. 



This Volume contains the Official Narrative of one of the most important ex- 

 peditions ever sent out by our Government. Early in 1853 the steamer Water 

 Witch was placed under the command of Lieutenant PAGE, with instructions to 

 explore the Rivers of La Plata, and report upon their navigability and adapta- 

 tion to commerce. Lieutenant PAGE executed his commission with rare fidelity 

 and intelligence, and has embodied the results in this volume. The explora- 

 tions described in the Narrative embrace an extent of 3600 miles of river naviga- 

 tion, and 4400 miles of journey by land in Paraguay and the Argentine Confed- 

 eration. The River Paraguay alone was found to be navigable, at low water, by 

 a steamer drawing nine feet, for more than two thousand miles from the ocean. 

 The basin of La Plata is almost equal in extent to that of the Mississippi, and 

 not inferior in salubrity of climate and fertility of soil, while the head waters of 

 its rivers penetrate the richest mineral provinces of Brazil and Bolivia. The 

 products of this region must find their outlet through the River La Plata. The 

 population numbers scarcely one person to a square mile, but great inducements 

 to emigration are now offered by the Argentine Confederation. The commerce 

 of the country, already considerable, is capable of immediate and almost indef- 

 inite increase. 



Lieutenant PAGE'S Narrative contains ample information respecting the soil, 

 climate, and productions of the country, and the manners, habits, and customs of 

 the people. A full account is given of the unfortunate rupture with Paraguay, 

 showing conclusively that the attack upon the Water Witch was altogether un- 

 warranted, and the allegations by which President Lopez attempted to justify it 

 entirely destitute of truth. An interesting and valuable account of the Jesuit 

 Missions in La Plata is appended to the Narrative. 



The Illustrations comprise the accurate Map of the Country prepared by the 

 orders of our Government, Portraits of TIrquiza, Lopez, Francia, and Loyola, 

 and numerous Engravings of Scenery, Character, and Incident. 



Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, 



Franklin Square, New York. 



HAKPF.K & BROTHEBS will send the above Work by Mail, postage paid, to any 

 part of the United States, on receipt of $3 00. 



