MONTE VIDEO. 



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It is said that a Frenchman once landed on 

 the shores of the river Parana, and found his 

 way to the capital (Assumption) where he 

 obtained an interview with Francia, in the 

 hope of being permitted to dispose of his ship's 

 cargo in Paraguay. To predispose the dic- 

 tator in his favour, he brought him a present 

 of a fine carriage. Francia received him cour- 

 teously enough, and the carriage was taken 

 round to the back of the house. The French- 

 man, charmed with his success, and imagining 

 that the famous Yerba of Paraguay would 

 soon be on the way to France, was led. by 

 Francia to a back window, from which he 

 beheld the carriage surrounded with burning 

 faggots, and consuming before his eyes. 



Zapata, in describing his policy, related facts 

 which strongly illustrate the complete des- 

 potism with which Francia rules Paraguay. 



