Alexandria Gazette

From the Paraguay Squadron.

[Correspondence of the Washington Union.]

OFF Monte Video, December 30, 1858.-

I regret to say that since my last communication there has been no addition to our force in the river. The Preble and Release have been looked for each day, but in vain, at a moment also when the stores of the Release are in no little demand, if not of actual necessity. Thus far the organization of the expedition is completed: the brigs and small steamers have been put in a state of efficiency worthy of a better enemy than the President of Paraguay. Shell guns of heavy calibre have been made to supply the place of light batteries of 32 and 24-pounders, whilst arms of every description bristle about the decks and betoken expectations of fight. The armament of the Fulton is four nine-inch shell guns, besides howitzers, a battery not to be despised by the best fortifications on the Paraguay river. The other vessels have the same character of armament. Additional seamen and marines have been furnished to each, and all are anxious for the start up the river. The Dolphin, indeed, has already proceeded on her way, the Sabine cheering as she passed. The Fulton bearing the Commodore's flag, will sail to-morrow. The Water Witch and Perry; and the Bainbridge and Harriet Lane, which latter was released from quarantine yesterday, will weigh anchor almost immediately after.

Corrientes, in the province of the same name, will be the rendezvous for the vessels of the expedition, whilst the Fulton will proceed directly to Asuncion. The President of Paraguay may resort to some means of preventing the American man-of-war from anchoring off his capital by offering a conveyance of his own to the Commissioner. This, however, will not be accepted, and there are sufficient precedents to justify such refusal.

The question here naturally suggests itself, Will Judge Bowlin succeed in his mission?-- That the mission is one of difficulty, and calculated to embarrass, must be admitted by all who are in any way familiar with its objects and the attending circumstances. The commissioner himself is sanguine of success by peaceful means. All are not of the same opinion. The Seminario defies the American government to force its demands upon President Lopez and proclaims Paraguay to be prepared for war if war there must be. Yet there are many reasons to suppose that President Lopez draws a broad distinction between his public declarations and private opinions. With the low abuse of President Buchanan and our government that pervades the columns of the official organ at Asuncion, I doubt not but that the astute President has left unsought no mediation that may avert the threatening storm that is now fast gathering around him. This was made evident in the official interview a few days since-of Commodore Shubrick and Commissioner Bowlin with the President of the Banda Oriental, Sr Pereira. His excellency seemed to take exceedingly to heart the difficulty between the Paraguay government and ourselves. His humble services were at our command, and to mediate in any way between the parties would afford him the sincerest pleasure. Nor, he added, did he make the proposition without having authority to say that such an arrangement would be agreeable to President Lopez. I doubt not but that a similar advance has been made to the President of the Argentine confederation, Gen. Urquiza, who, however, I am assured, will omit no occasion to communicate in the most friendly and cordial spirit with the commissioner. It thus occurs to my mind that our most excellent friend, Sr. Lopez, is seeking the favor of the neighboring States to arrest, if possible, any acts of hostility, if not to unite with him in repelling when necessary, what is called the invading fleets and armies of the great Colossus of the North. Brazil also, no doubt, is watching our advance with the keenest anxiety, and whilst not daring to openly embrace the feeble cause of her neighboring friend, may venture in some way to embarrass our movements. A day or two only after our arrival had elapsed, when the Brazilian minister very quietly left here—report says to Paraguay, to confer with President Lopez, and strongly to advise him to accede to a peaceable settlement of our difficulties, putting at his disposal the treasury of the empire. There is so much probability in this construction upon the minister's move, that I think it may be relied upon.

It is not for us to underrate our enemy. That he has received ample supplies of guns, ammunition, and ordnance-stores of all kinds-there can remain no doubt. The fortifications at Humaita are numerous, and probably mounted by some guns of heavy calibre-a portion are said to be 64 pounders. The position is exceedingly well chosen-at a narrow point of the river, and commanding the ascent and descent for two or three miles. The batteries are mostly en barbette, as you will see from the plan I enclose, prepared by a person who had the best opportunity of making it correct: and unprotected from the rear—a want supplied by a force of 15,000 men. I am now assured that chains and every kind of obstruction are in preparation to impede the advance of vessels. I am confident to say, however, that no material force at the command of President Lopez can arrest the passage of the Fulton.

There could be no more favorable opportunity for ascending the Paraguay than at the present time. Pilots just from those waters report the river high to overflowing, having indeed damaged some of the fortifications at Humaita. The steamer is rapid, and will make the passage in a few days, only stopping to coal, or when the navigation is too intricate to run at night.

Commodore Forrest has determined to remain out, notwithstanding the permission granted him by the Secretary of the Navy to return home. Lieut. Carter has been detached from the Argentina, and ordered to the Dolphin. The English Admiral, Sir Stephen Lushington, entered the harbor the other day, and proceeds shortly to the Falkland islands. He hopes to return in time to see what he calls "the fun."