Tratado de Paz, Amistad, Comercio y navegacion entre la Confederación Argentina y la República del Paraguay

This historic diplomatic text, dated July 1856, records a formal accord signed in Asunción between the Argentine Confederation and the Republic of Paraguay. It sets out a framework of lasting peace, sincere friendship, and open trade and navigation along the Paraná River, reflecting the leaders’ desire for mutual progress. The articles spell out mutual neutrality in conflicts with third powers, a detailed list of prohibited war materiel, and strict penalties for piracy or privateering.

Beyond the grand principles, the treaty includes precise clauses protecting merchants, guaranteeing the right of each nation’s residents to conduct business and retain property on the other’s soil, and outlining procedures for the return of seized vessels. Listeners will hear the formal, almost ceremonial language of mid‑century diplomacy, offering insight into how South American states sought stability amid regional turbulence. It’s an engaging window into the legal foundations that shaped the continent’s later development.