Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward.
No. 26.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas,
September 4, 1868.
Sir: The last dispatch which I had the honor to
address to you concerning the revolution in this country was No. 4,
dated June 26, 1868. Soon after that date, as you have already been
informed, a provisional government was established, which has ever since
been working most admirably, being conducted with order, regularity,
ability, and activity.
All, natives and foreigners, seemed to be satisfied with it. The army of
the revolution, under General José Tadeo Monagas, as [Page 966] commander-in-chief, pursued its westward
march. Valencia fell an easy prey to its irresistible power. The siege
of Puerto Cabello was a more serious affair, the town being strongly
defended by the Bruzualists who had established their so-called
government there. They held the castle, situated on an island in the
harbor, and had also at their disposal two or three war steamers. The
siege lasted about ten days; the fighting was severe. The revolutionists
lost fifty killed and one hundred and fifty wounded; the Bruzualists
forty killed and seventy wounded.
At about 1 a. m., on the morning of the 15th ultimo, the Bruzualists,
their ammunition being entirely exhausted, and the supply expected from
Curaçoa not having arrived, abandoned Puerto Cabello, and fled in their
steamers to Curaçoa, carrying with them their chief, General Bruzual,
insensible from a wound made by a rifle ball two days previous, and who
afterwards died at Curaçoa.
Our consuls at Puerto Cabello and Curaçoa have doubtless furnished you
with the details of the events above recited.
The army of the revolution continues its westward march, but meets with
little resistance. In thirty days, I think, the whole republic will be
under control of the provisional government, which has, as far as I can
learn, strictly respected the local rights of the States.
Never was there a revolution so triumphant. No candidate for president in
the approaching election is named but General José Tadeo Monagas, and
even in the candidates for state offices there is no opposition, except
from members of the same party. As you are well aware, sir, there are no
more impartial observers of political events in any community than the
intelligent and wealthy merchants, particularly foreign merchants of
respectability, who take no parfin local politics, but who watch them
carefully, having heavy interests at stake, which are almost certain to
be affected by any change in the political barometer. In view of this
fact, I deem it proper to send you a translation of a letter (see
inclosure No. 1) from the principal merchants of La Guayra, both native
and foreign, to General José Tadeo Monagas, commander-in-chief of the
array of the revolution, on his arrival there after the capture of
Puerto Cabello. Nothing, in my judgment, could be a stronger proof of
the permanent triumph of the revolution. General Monagas, who is over
eighty years of age, is in a very poor state of health. He is expected
in Caracas in a few days.
General Guzman Blanco has arrived from Europe. It is not yet known if he
intends to take any active part in politics. General Falcon remains at
Curaçoa, and is said to be about to sail for Spain, with the intention
of settling there. The period fixed by the constitution for the election
of a new President will arrive during the next month, October; but I
have been informed that the elections, I know not why, have been
postponed until the month of November.
This city and this State appear to be very well governed under the new
regime. All is orderly and quiet. Trade and commerce are gradually
reviving. The revenues of the government are slowly increasing. The
capture of Puerto Cabello gives them the profits of the customs dues
received there, which are, of course, very considerable. I will
endeavor, sir, as I have heretofore done, to keep you informed, from
time to time, as to the state of affairs here.
Meanwhile, I have the honor to remain, with great respect, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Page 967]
[Translation.]
La Guayra,
August 31, 1868.
Sir: The merchants of this city hasten to
tender to you their cordial felicitations on your welcome arrival
here, they being unwilling that so favorable an opportunity should
pass by without a manifestation of those sentiments of respect and
regard which they entertain towards you.
From the very moment the late revolution began, a revolution which
has changed the political condition, of the country, we observed, as
its most prominent feature, your beneficent and controlling
influence.
After a long life, passed almost entirely amid the cares of office
and the arduous duties of the field, when your advanced age demanded
repose, when you had arrived at that period of life at which men
usually lose all worldly ambition, and also become indifferent to
the conflicting aspirations of others; being thus situated, what
idea, we ask, what incitement was it, that urged you on with the
valor and bouyancy of your youthful days to brave anew the hardships
and hazards of war?
Surely it must have been a powerful motive that aroused you to
action—indeed, you have said that it was.
It was your patriotism of spotless purity; nothing else could have
induced the sacrifice of your unpretending tranquillity.
Your motives of action thus explained, we could not refrain from
watching your steps, during the campaign begun by you in the east of
the republic, with the greatest attention and an interest worthy of
the importance of the events that transpired.
The policy which this revolution tends to establish, a policy in
support of which you have taken arms, is of such an elevated
character that we deem it the only one acceptable and necessary for
the salvation of the country. To unite all Venezuelans, to organize
a government, this is the only difficulty; solve this, and the
result will be restoration of credit to the government, of life to
commerce, of activity to the arts, of joy to the domestic hearth, of
abundance for all; in short, it will be the resurrection of the
country.
The sensible men of all parties who have given their support to this
revolution, and the rest of the community, converted by the fidelity
of the revolutionists to their declared policy, will join you, you
may be sure, in every hour of trial; for, sir, it is peace that we
all demand, and the aspirations of every one are unalterably fixed
for its being established and made permanent. Commerce, on its part,
which can only exist and flourish under the shelter of peace, will
not spare its support to a government that establishes itself upon
the solid and effective principles of order and economy; and it
hopes that you, because you have so promised, will not sheathe your
sword until you see the republic marching on with uninterrupted
progress in the broad path of honor and prosperity.
The blue flag borne aloft by the revolution has up to the present
waved over triumph after triumph; the object of the war will soon be
accomplished. In the onerous undertaking of organizing a government,
when peace shall have been established, we wish you success equally
as happy.
May it be granted to you to soon see realized your desire for the
security and tranquility of the republic—a desire towards the
realization of which you are making every patriotic effort, for
indeed security and tranquillity are elements necessary to the very
life and welfare of nations.
Meanwhile, accept, sir, the renewed expressions of consideration and
respect with which we subscribe ourselves, your obedient and
faithful servants,
BLOHM, NOLTING & CO.
RUETE, LESEUR & CO.
H. L. BOULTON & CO.
H. LANGE & CO.
GONELL BROTHERS & CO.
ALEYANDER FLETURIS.
MARTUREL BROTHERS & CO.
PARDO, DE SOLA & CO.
LUCE, ROTHE & CO.
ORTO WINCKLEMAN & CO.
H. G. SCHIMMEL & CO.
C. HELLMAND & CO.
And nearly all the other principal native and foreign merchants of
importance and respectability.
To the highly praiseworthy General José Tadeo
Monagas,
Commander-in-chief of the Armies of the
Republic.
