LA PLATA, THE ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION, AND PARAGUAY. Being a Narrative of the Exploration of the Tributaries of the River La Plata and Adjacent Countries During the Years 1853, '54, '55, and '56, Under the Orders of the United States Government.

Page, Thomas J.

Edité par Harper & Brothers, New York, 1859

A propos de cet article

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1859. 1st and only edition. 8vo. 632pp. Wood-engraved frontispiece. Illustrated throughout with 43 further wood engravings, two diagrams, and a very large hand-colored fold-out map at rear, all Complete. Half caramel calf, marbled paper covered boards. Elaborate gilt decorations on spine, 5 raised bands, contrasting labels. Marbled edges. Marbled endpapers. Very clean within. Very minor wear to outer edges of map, exceptionally well-preserved. Overall fine. Rare. Thomas Jefferson Page, U.S. Navy Commander, provides a first hand account of the U.S. mission that explored the tributaries of the Rio de la Plata, the Parana and Paraguay Rivers in order to document and understand the region's potential. Page describes the Argentine Confederation, the isolation of Paraguay, and provides interesting details of local life, the Indigenous peoples, flora and fauna, that some say were comparable to Darwin's scientific achievements. The many illustrations support the lively text. The map is a major cartographic achievement. Whatever the U.S. government's intentions were at the time were only slightly postponed by the Civil War. When Virginia seceded at the outbreak of the American Civil War, Page resigned from the U.S Navy and joined the Confederate Army. Later he became the Confederate States Navy captain of the ironclad CSS Stonewall. After the war, he moved to Argentina and established a cattle ranch. He also assisted the Argentine government with defensive installations and the modernization of its navy. The four year mission so carefully and successfully carried out by Page had a positive lasting effect. Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Paraguay were established in 1861. The U.S. attempted to mediate in the Paraguayan War, which lasted from 1864 to 1870. After the war, U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes played a role in mediating the boundary dispute between Argentina and Paraguay, ultimately favoring Paraguay's claim.

N° de réf. du vendeur 010267

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: LA PLATA, THE ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION, AND PARAGUAY. Being a Narrative of the Exploration of the Tributaries of the River La Plata and Adjacent Countries During the Years 1853, '54, '55, and '56, Under the Orders of the United States Government.
• Éditeur: Harper & Brothers, New York
• Date de parution: 1859
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• État de l'article: Fine