Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/147



THE MURDER OF GENERAL FLORES. 117

after the capture of Paysandii, rendered him the hatred and horror of the Blancos. He was soon persuaded to be Minister of War â€” a fine post for making money, as indeed all connected with the portfolio here are. The three sons of General Flores were banished to Rio de Janeiro, and presently had to leave it in consequence of an after-dinner " row " at the '^ Cas^^ or Alcazar. Returning home they found their own party in power, and thus all their little pec- cadilloes were forgiven and forgotten.

The Flores murder you will agree with me is one of the most remarkable. Every one knows that it originated from the temporary combination of the Blancos and Conservadores for the purpose of expelling the successful Colorados. Every one knows the instigator of the murder, and all who care for so doing can know who are the actual murderers. Yet with the exception of a little innocent blood and a few lives remotely accessory to the fact, no one has been punished. Justice has been cheated, and Nemesis frowns at her victims in vain.

Since February, 1868, there has been no movement, strange to say, in this home of revolutions. It was, how- ever, expected every time I visited Monte Video, and once it was opportunely stopped by a shower of rain.

Ever yours.

P.S. â€” The " pronunciamento ^^ did break out almost im- mediately after 1 reached England, June 1, 1869 : the ex- Minister of War, Gojo Suarez, and the General Manduca Carbajal had combined versus General Batlle.