Office of the Historian
[Extract.]

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Seward

No. 36.]
Legation of the United States, Caracas, March 20, 1867.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the first instant President Falconarrived at this capital to resume the presidency of the republic.

The reception of the President was by no means enthusiastic. But very fewflags were displayed, in fact none, except by foreign representatives and residents, and such as were placed by order of the government on the line of theprocession.

The long-continued absence of the President from the capital and the committal of the executive duties to General Colina as primer designado, added tofinancial difficulties and the embarrassments and suffering of all classes of thepeople, have, without doubt, contributed very materially to injure the great popularity once possessed by General Falcon.

Nothing less than the most serious attention to the duties of his office, with apermanent residence at the capital, and the devising of some plan by which thecountry can be relieved from its present condition, will again restore to the President his former popularity or avert, possibly, a revolution.

On the 6th instant President Falcon organized his cabinet.

I herewith enclose a copy of circular, and translation of the same, (enclosure1,) of the secretary of the department of the interior and justice, transmittingto the legation the decree of President.

I also herewith enclose a copy of the decree and translation of the same, enclosure 2.)

But two changes have been made in the cabinet; Mr. Pulido succeeds Mr. Silva in the department of the treasury, and Mr. Sistiaga, Mr. Seijas in thedepartment of foreign relations.

Mr. Pulido is said to possess good financial abilities, with more than ordinary acquirements in other respects.

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Mr. Sistiaga has been but little in public life, and owes his position to the friendship and influence of General Guzman Blanco.

Mr. Seijas remains in the foreign department as under secretary.

The majority of the present cabinet are undoubtedly favorable to General Guzman Blanco, and will be influenced by him on all questions of importance whether financial or political.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES WILSON,

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

[Translation.]

UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND JUSTICE.—SECTION 2, no. 60.

[Circular.]

Mr. Marmol to Mr. Wilson

Caracas, March 6, 1867,

3d of the Law and 9th of the Federation.

Citizen: For your information I have the honor to transmit to you in the annexed printed sheet the decree issued on the date of yesterday by the great citizen marshal President organizing his cabinet.

God and federation.

FRANCISCO J. MARMOL

Mr. James Wilson, Minister Resident of the United States of America.

[Translation.]

Mr. Falcon to Mr. Marmol

JOHN G. FALCON, GREAT CITIZEN MARSHAL PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF VENEZUELA.

Decree.

Article 1. In virtue of my constitutional powers, I appoint to administer the department of the interior and justice the citizen General Jacinto R. Pachano; for the treasury department, the citizen licentiate Lucio Pulido, who will also administer, ad interim, that of the public credit; for the department of foreign relations, the citizen Doctor Jesus Maria Sistiaga; for that of public works, the citizen Rafael Arvelo; and that of war and marine will be administered, ad interim, by the citizen General Juan Francisco Perez.

Art. 2. The secretary of the department of the interior and justice is encharged with the fulfilment of this decree.

Given in Caracas, March 5, 1867, 3d of the law and 8th of the federation.

JOHN C. FALCON.

The secretary of the department of the interior and justice with its execution.

FRANCISCO J. MARMOL.

It is a copy. Accidental secretary of the department.

ADOLFO CASANAS.