Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Seward

No. 8.]

Legation of the United States, Caracas, November 8, 1866.

Sir: It has just come to the knowledge of the Venezuelan government, and I hasten to communicate the fact to the department, that General Pulgar, a young man, probably of about 32 years of age, but known throughout the republic as a most energetic and determined character, has left the island of Curaçoa, with some fifty men, and had seized two steamers (belonging to the State of Zulia) in the lake, and threatened the seizure of the city of Maracaibo. The possession of the lake would give him the city; and owing to the long-continued animosity of Pulgar towards General Sutherland, the President of the State of Zulia, within whose limits lay the lake, and city above mentioned, the movement is regarded by the government here as serious, and is believed to have for its object not only the overthrow of the present State government of Zulia, and the execution of General Sutherland (if captured,) but also the overthrow of the federal or Falcon government

The federal government will sustain General Sutherland with its armed forces; but as the financial condition of the country is in a deplorable state, the result of the contest may be considered doubtful.

It was intimated to me this morning by the minister of foreign relations that the fears of the general government were augmented by credence in the belief, prevalent here, that Pulgar is aided and sustained in this enterprise by General Mosquera, President of the United States of Colombia, who is known to be his warm friend, and long to have entertained designs upon that portion of the country, where now the new revolution has broken forth.

I enclose a slip cut from “El Federalista,” whereby you will perceive what the sentiments of the official press are in regard to this affair. It is a very short. and hurried article, written on the first announcement of the news.

This enclosure with its translation is marked “enclosure 1.”

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

JAMES WILSON.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

No. 1.

[Translation.]

Rumors, the absolute certainty of which it is impossible for us to vouch for, show the invader Pulgar as commanding the lake of Maracaibo, after, it is added, having seized two small steamers of the Zuliau government. We have, then, war again, and under what circumstances? the most afflicting that could deprive a sanguine people of hope. It seems that this outbreak has assumed the character of a general movement, so that purely local rebellions have passed out of date. We will therefore have extraordinary armies, squadrons, and consequently new and increased expenses.

May it please God to extend his protecting hand over this unhappy country!