142 



MONTE VIDEO. 



that it was absolutely necessary that Great 

 Britain should insist upon the free navigation 

 of the Parana, and that he, Francia, should 

 be allowed to send his ships, if he chose, 

 direct to Europe, without the interference of 

 his enemies — as he called the people of Buenos 

 Ayres, and the United Provinces. It was 

 evident that he flattered himself we should 

 settle this point for him ; and when Mr. Parish 

 wrote to him that it must be a matter of 

 arrangement with the intermediate parties, he 

 flew into a passion, and under pretence of an 

 application sent to him in favour of Bonpland, 

 returned his letter, and refused peremptorily to 

 hold any further intercourse with the charge 

 d'affaires from Great Britain: and I believe 

 from that time to this, no official communi- 

 cation has taken place between England and 

 the dictator of Paraguay. 



