1859 (Feb. 15) Washington D.C. to Buenos Ayres, Argentina, cover addressed to Commdr. Shubrick, Commanding U.S. Expedition to Paraguay, bearing 5¢ red brown (28), and two 10¢ green (35) vertical pairs, pos. 22-32L, 21L-31L, all tied by strikes of "Washington D.C., Feb 15 1859" cds, red "New York, Br. Pkt., Feb 16" exchange cds backstamp and magenta "40" cent credit rating, carried by Cunard Line Asia from New York Feb. 16th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 27th, red London Paid (2.28) transit cds; light staining, F.-V.F. Estimate  $400 - 600. The Paraguay Expedition was a United States Naval mission sent to Asunción, Paraguay, in 1858 to demand indemnity and apology from the Paraguayan Government for the 1 February 1855 firing on the U.S. Navy vessel USS Water Witch and for alleged insults against the United States and Paraguay Navigation Company. The expedition was led by Flag Officer William B. Shubrick. The task force departed New York City on 17 October 1858; but, for the most part, its 19 ships proceeded southward independently. The ships of the expedition formed up at Montevideo, Uruguay. The slowest ship, USS "M. W. Chapin", arrived on 29 December. All but two vessels of Shubrick's fleet got underway from Montevideo on 30 December and ascended the Río de la Plata, the Paraná, and the Paraguay rivers. Upon reaching Rosario, Water Witch and Fulton left their companions behind and continued on to Asunción with Bowlin and Shubrick. They arrived off Asunción on 25 January 1859. Bowlin went ashore to conduct negotiations with Paraguayan president Carlos Antonio López, which were completed in a fortnight. As a result of the expedition, Paraguay extended an apology to the United States, indemnified the family of the slain Water Witch crewman, and granted the United States a new and highly advantageous commercial treaty. $0 (Image)