The New York Herald Newspaper, January 4, 1853, Page 6

GITERESTING FROM VENEZUELA. @eacral Paez and the Political Events of that Republic, a. 860, General Pacz. Caracas, Nov. 20, 1852. To rag Eprror oF rae New York Henap:— Dear Sir—Your paper is almost the only one in the United States which devotes any considerable space to South American politics, and honoe it is sought after and read with much interest by many ef as who dwell in the ‘ Sister Republics,” as they are called. But what particularly recommends the Bemarp to all reflecting mon, is the impartiality | with which it admits into its columnsthe statements and opiniens of men of all parties, leaving a dis- @erming public to make up the'r minds from all the Hight which way be thrown upon any partiowlar question or event. Thus, you make the public the jury, and yeur columns furnish the testimony of witmesres and the arguments of counsel on both sides. Who ought to refuse to be thus tried by ® jury of the country? Only he or they who fear the light, or who cheose to neglect the opportu- nity afforded by your paper, of presenting to the world such facts or observations as way sid the @ause of truth. A Spanish priest, a writer of mo- dorm, regencrated Spain, the distinguished James Balmes, in the pre‘see to his valuable work, en- | titled ‘‘Fundamental Philosophy,” very appro- priately remarks thas ‘In our day error cannot be restrained by mere repreasion— it must be stifled by am abundance of truth.” Lot him only, then, com- plain, who cannot, er will not, furnish that whole- some abundance. In the investigation of truth, whether mathematical, philosophical, or historical, the recommendation, ‘Jn medio tutissimus ibis,” placed at the head of the article or narrative to | which this letter is directed, has no application whatever. That advice of the Roman poet “You will be mest safe by adopting » given for the purpose of arriving at the trath on con- troverted points. The writer of the article has ap- plied the quotation improperly; as we say in Span- ish, “ho has dragged it in by the hair of the head —ta ha traido por los Cabellos.” He ought rather to havo rememb red the advice of Pope— A Ittde learning is a dangerous thing— Drimk deep, or taste not, the pierian spring Ia the numbers of your valuable paper of the 24th June and 27th July last appeared an article, cocupying in all upwards of twelve closely printed columas, under the title of ‘The Repubiic of Vene- suele. A narrative of the principal political events that have ocourred since her formation as an inde- pendent republic, in 1830, up to the present day— | by aa impartial observer.” Tho article, or rather beok, we should say, considering its length, under ashow of impartiality, is evidently written by a | friend of General Monagas, the present lord and master of poor Venezuela—and when I say General Monagas, be it understood that, in violation of all rules of composition, but in perfect conformity with the political fact, I mean both Monagas the First and Monagas the Second—the two brother generals, José Tadeo Monagas and Jozé Gregorio Monagas, the last amd the present President of this country —that political phenomenon, the Castor and Pollux of Venesuela—two distinct individuals, but yet con- stitating one single political person. The writer of | the artiole endeavors to exculpate brother (roneral José Tadeo Monagas from the charge genorally made against him, and still more generally be- lieved, that he, the first aforesaid brother, was the @uthor, instigator, and perpetrator of the bloody massacre of members of Congress, committed on the P4th January, 1543, in the very House of Represon- tatives. He even tries to palliate that bucchery, und, ef course, attacks the uncompromising oppo- pent of that bicody coup a’érat, the illustrious de- fender of bis country’s freedom, (ieneral José An- | Bomie Paez; and endeavors to throw the reeponsi- | ity of the act on what he haz been pleased to call | the party of General Paez. | Asa ince of General José T. Monagas against ‘that oharge, the narrative, article, or essay ia quea- tion, is & complete failure. As often as, and ‘wherever, Movagas msy be put on trial for that ap- pallin crime, before an impartial aad unintimi- , the verdict must be—“‘guilty!” That the ‘Smieesination of ale aerate of the people was she work of Ge Jose Tadeo Monagas isa established fact, and mo unbiassed individual, either in this or aay other counry, doubts or pre- tends to doubt it. Let it be borne in mind that be- fore the meeting of that unfortunate Congress, in January, 1548, it was generally rumored, (as the ‘weiter of the narrative himrelf says,) that the Presi- Gent, General Jozé T. Monagas, would be called to ga’ account in tha: Congress for his alleged viola- tions of the constitution and laws of his country. Among other significant acts, President Monagas had disarmed what is here denominated the active or ordivary militia, who are by law required to pro- | vide their own arms, that is, the unpaid citizen soldiers; and he called into service the militia of reserve, who are not required to furnish their own arms, bat are paid when in servioe. All this was im opem violation of our laws. On che evening of the 23d of January, (the day g the butchery im Vongress,) the first batta- ion, composed of 500 men, commanded by Colonels | Man co and Manuel (Ojeda, and the second » composed of 400 men, commanded by Mauricio Blanco and Pedro Ramos, were called out into service On the Mth of January, 1848, the day of the mas- sacre, there was the foilowing imposing array of troops under arms in the city of Caracas, where Congress was assembled, viz: the Petare battali composed of 500 men, commanded by Saiusci Plaga end Fagundez, quartered in the old Gonvent ef San Jucinto; the squadron of Chacao and Sabana (;rande, oommsaded by Leandro Arocha, stationed on the road leading tothe adjaceut village of Potare; the company of .hasseurs belonging to the first battalion, and commanded by Captain Mateo Plex; a company commanded by Tito Alfa ro, belonging to the second battalion; a crquadron of cavairy, being the body guurd of President Monagas himeelf, and equadron No 2 of the Ii commanded by Pedro Maturel All these bodies of troops were commanded by friends and adherents of President General Monagas The country was at peace with ali the world, aud the government had not a single enemy in arms iv the whole length and breadita of the repablio On the 24cn of J or information, of the Provi races, dated December 10, 1545, again: leged arbitrary xcs of President Monagas, read im the House of Representatives, and referre to the Standing Committee on Infrsctions of th Constitution and Laws, and on that vory dey, before any further action wes had, or eould be had, the houre waa invaded by the aforseaid armed militia of rererve, several of the 1embers wore shot down, and the House dispersed $= Un the 25th January, the suo- osoding day, Presideut (oneral Monagas caused to be published or printed an address, in which he very ap- iately termed the bloody traneaxtion of the Py teen soandalous and lamentable crime,”’ and the representatives of tho people wore compelled to meet again in Congress, several of them baving been actualiy carried from their houses or tho resi- denoes of foreign ministers. On tho 26th, Prosident General Movayes went into the building where Congress was sssombled, and watohed the members during their deliberations, and thereupon, on mo- tion of one of bis partisans, *hat mutilated and in- timidated Congres passed a law, which Monagas ed, lomog all political crimes committed tice 130 mentable It the act was ‘‘a scandalous and |, tion was ever mace, and that no one was ever ” be it remembered that no invosti- taied or punished for it; on the contrary, in 1519, a , law was parsed declaring the 24th of January, 1848, « glorious day, and ordering it to be observed with pablio rejoicing, and General Monagas ap- proved of and signed thislaw The information, Of ncousation, presented to the House, against Mo- “—, waa never taken up. his plain parrative of uncontroverted and pub Licly notorious facts ia sufficient to establish tho source and object of the bloody transaction whioh took piace in this city The massacre of the 24th of January is the political garment of Monagat Like the tunic of the Centaur sont to Hercules, it is saturated with poisoned, consuming, avenging blood; he may attempt to pull of the fatal dross, put in vain—he cannot escape ite with foots. It ie the dress of bis own selection, ana by him once called glorious and aplendid (see toa law af 1349, sanctioned by him, declaring the 2ith of January, 1448, 0 glorious day ) Let him not now sndeavor to cast it off as an od useles ent—no, let him wear it to serve ture generations Nor oun the atrocious deed be o by the assertion that Congress had tr President Monages, aod intended to rem unjustly. Similar pretexts have asiways served usurpers when they hav» found i t to de stroy the na el representat the R ainst bim oan 5 avdheg complained th hed conap rid & iddle course,” was not | Cromwell complain of the Parliament, and, hoving ive the world to have discovered tha: ‘the Lord had done with them, ve foone: for without it shut up the House and sent the members about thoir river, and the re una- business. In a similar manner did N: Bons- be in an hour,” | dieoover that the Counoil of © Handred [t is impossible,” said Bolivar, | wore cons g, and he ditpersed the Assembiy ; perish.” ** Leave that to and thus, ‘ina)ly, did Louis Napoleon, “the nephew of | me,” off. In a tew unoia,” 4nd out that the Franch C! up his guard of be - pa ne honor, consisting of three buudred Innoors, “solectad conspiring against his country. and heoonsummatod | . his comp See. and kindly consented to become the | from the main body of the Llaneros, for their proved uardian of that country’s institutions. Andas | bravery and strepgth, and, leading them to the | much wronged and patriotic individuals after. | bank, thas briefly addrewed them:—“ We musi | wards had their senates, their parliaments, voun- | bave these fleohoras, or dic—let those follow Tio oils, or their chambers, so have the first aud the who please!” and, st the same moment, spurriag his second Monagas bad their Ci 3 too. But evan horee, dashed into the river and swam towerds the admitting, for the s: f ment, that the Coa flotilla. The guard followed him, with tneir lances | gress of Venoxuela lotting against President in their mouihs, now looney their horses to lonagas, and that they intended to remeve him un- | bear up against the current by swimming by their justly, such a state of things would not justify him sides aad patting their neoks, and then shouting to | ia attacking the House of Representatives aud mur- scare away the alligators. of which there were hun- dering its members. The Congress of Veoesucla | were faaee within the powers granted to them by | mounting their horses, they sprang from their backs the constitution, in receiving the information pre- | on them. headed by their leader, and, to the sented to them by the Provincial Deputation of Oa- | astonichment ef thoze who beheld them from racoas againat Monsgas, snd the duty ofthe latter was | the captured every one of them. ‘To the river, till they reached the boats, when, toeubm:it A contrary doctrine would destroy all English Cflicers it may appear inconceivable that a constitutional government. | body of cavalry, with n> other arms than their It is not intention to point out the many | lanoes, ard no other mode of conveyance across & errors and misrepresentations contained in the | os very long article written by the socalled im- | c) partial observer, but the following instances will _ but, strargo as it msy seem, it was actually accom- show what reliance is to be placed in the nar- | plished, and there are many officers now in England rative for historical ac: In the first part, | who oan testify to the truch of it 2 lle, Bhat published in the Hezap of the 24th Juue last, the | In short, he ie altogether a most wonderful man, and | Writer saya that the Liberator, Simon Bolivar, was wore the numerous extraordinary incidents of his | mamed President of Colombia afcer his return from | life te be formed into a narrative, it would have his campaign in Peru, when every person at all con- more the semblance of romance than authentic vereant with the history of Colombia knows that biography. Ileis, above all things, asinoere patriot, Bolivar had been elected President before he left for | and certainly a bright ornament to his country, Peru. The writer states, in several places, that | which there ens be but little doubt he has been the Bolivar died on the 17th of ta 1830; but prinoipal mesus of continuing thus long a republic here again be is mistaken, for Bolivar died in Da- | * * * It would be difficult t> conceive a more | cember of that year. He asserts that General amiable charactorthan that of this gallant man in | Paez ‘‘ made a tour to the plains of Apure, in 1447, the more p-aceabla moments of his life. He was where be exercised the most tremendous influence deservedly endeared to all the British who ever ames the inhabitants,” and, ‘that this was part served with bim; and, I believe, every ono of thom of The pian of the Paezistas fer securing to them- would have cheerfully died in his defence had it selves an easy victory over Mo 8 in the been required of him.’ | coming Congress” The assertion is utterly falae; Colonel William Duane, of Philadolphis, in his Genera! Paea was not in Apure at any time in 1847. book entitled ‘* A visit to Colombia, in the years He says that three hundred prisoners taken by 1822 and J ‘ad 154 and 158 speaks of the i 1 Guerrero were drowned in crossing rivers; | conduct of Caer the war, and of one untrue. General Guerrero, on the oocasion of his many evgageme 3 follows :—* After the ied to, had not over one hundred prisoners, and | war of extermination had been proclaimed, the af- not a singie one of them was drowned. It would be fairs of Colombia hed become very gloomy. tedious to go over the many errors and inac- | When the patriots wore made prisoners, the practios ourao‘es contained in the narrative, tosay nothing of was to publicly order them to be condusted to a | the false coloring, and the ascribing ef improper depot; but a private order was given to execute motives to many actions and occurrences harmless , them on the way, for which a fit officer was always ia themselves which, if we had not now the | selectei—they were directed to be pierced witha light afforded us by the astute writer of the narra- | lance, in the first thicket they ap reached. Colonel tive, would have been passed over by an unobserv- | Rivas, a friend of Bolivar, =i & fallen into the ing world as not partioularly indicative ofevil. In- | enemy’s hands, his head was cut off by one of those | deed, as we shall presently show, the civilized world | monsters, placed in a sack, and sent, after the in general does not agree in opinion with thelearn- | Turkish fashion, to his insulted and afflic ed friond. | ed writer of the narrative asto the acts and mo- | The flower of the army and the population were at | tives of General Paez, Soe the author of the | this time undergoing @ progressive extirpation. ould attack and ais of alligators; river then their horses, #8 fleet of gun boats amidst a} artiole may, pexbers, contend that General Paes,or _ Despair had overcome minds of a weak tempera- | his all powerful party, have bribed and corrupted ment, and others of lax principles no longer hesi- even foreign writers, foreign nations, statesmen and | tated to talk of reconciliation with Spain. José | petentates; or thatthese, when they have admired Antonio Paez, a native of the plains that border on | and praised the actions and political conduct of Gem | the Orinoco, had signalized himself by his match- | eral Paez, up to the time of his retiring from office, | leas intrepidity ; many persons having retired to the | did not know what they were about. The intelli- plains, he reproached those wavering men, and con- | feat reader, however, in carefully going over the oluded by declaring, that if there could be wretches incid and copious narrative, cannot hel seeing | #0 abject as to abandon a cause in which s0 much | the remarkable fact, that from no part of tho said | blood bad been generously sacrificed to give them | narrative does it appear that either General Paez, | freedom, they must not expect countenance or hi called party, did ever at any time during | to their perfidy from him, nor the Spportunity: | the period embraced in thatessay endeavor to sub- to corrupt otbera by their cowardice—that he woul vert the governmest, or commit any overt act , not compromise, for a miserable existenee, the indo- against the constitution or institutions of their ndence he had fought for—he would rally all of country, nor take up armsuntil after Congress was his countrymen whose virtues were unshaken, and, attacked by an armed force, and the members mar- | taking possession of La{Cabrera an4 the Lake of Va- dered: though the writer himeelf admits that at the | lensia, be would carry on an interminab!e war Presidential election, in which Dr Vargas, a no- against the tyrants, and all who should submit to party man was elected, the candidate of Gen. Paex | subjection; and there it would not be in tho power ‘Was sct asid ile on the other hand, the narrative ofall Spsinto dislodge him *** General Paez explains how on two distinct occasions,one ofthemdu | took a position on the spacious plain of Coxode, | ting the no party admistration of Dr. Vargas, General near the confluence of the small streams Aguyral Joze T. Monagas took up arms against the legitimate | and San Pedro, with the river Coxede a fow milos government, and openly proclaimed and waged ao- | south of San Carlos The position commanded tho | tual war against the constitution of his country. highway between the plains, from which the Span- No other © is made in the narrative cithor ish armies drew cattle for their subsistence, and its against General Paes or his party, except what is occupation much embarrassed the Spanish army. contained in the allegation that they were ambi- Morillo determined upon a movement through a tious of power, and that they intrigued to retain | defile on the left of the Colombian position. Paes office—this is ‘‘the whole head and front of their had at the same time reeelved upon a movement oilending.”” Now, the unsophisticated reader would | upon the right of Morillo, and the two operations suppose that this could not justify war against the | were going on at the eame instant. As these dispo- govorpment er the constitution, nor the agsassina- | sitions on both sides led to consequences which tion in Congress of its members; but perhaps the neither contemplated, the casual discovery by each contrary doctrine is a new discovery likewi: that the other was in motion deravged the plans What would have been the condition of things in | of both, and led to a confliet, in which the valor of the United Btates, if, as often as a party had on- | the troops, and the military talents and resources of deavored to retain power and office by intriguing, | the commanders, must determine the issue Per- another party, or other parties, had taken up arms haps ne battle of the revolution was more desporate and waged war against the government? ould | or sapguirery ; it was a seriee of mancuvres, | not the wars of the whigs and the democrats have determined by the position and the coup d’ail been as famous as the wars of the Roses? | ofthe commanders. The 8; chief selected a | No better, no more did or convincing proof, | ae from which he could direct his operations. could be produced of atriotic conduct of ¢ Colombian obief gave a general order to the General Paez than the con: a3 wrung from his | chiefs of bis divisions to main‘ain a certain line, and very adversaries—no more galling or withering con- to move on each of the enemy’s columns, front and | demnation of Mon: than the picture of his po- flank, at tho same time, Paez himself holding two litical character drawn by his own friends and columns of cavalry lancers to co-operate. Soublette, panegyrists. The following are literal extracts whe was chief of the staff in this battle, acquired from the narrative:— and merited great distinction. The conflict was of | ‘To those who bave read our memoir thus seversl hours duration, and so fatal to both sides far, it must be @ foregone conclusion that, from that the battle ceased from the loss of men and fa- | the commencement, political disturbances tiguo. Morillo found it necessary to retire uponSan hare arisen from the le for ascendancy Carlo, though he claimed a victory. Paez re- between the wmilit and the civil parties, ruained in poseession of the field, and had to inter and. since 1540, the liberal. Paez was the type | the enemy ‘sdead. The Front object of covering the of the civil 'y, Monagas, of the military, and | source of supplies from the piains was effected, and Gutman, of the liberal * * * The difference between the Spacish army disabled from prosecuting military the military and civil party dates as far back as 0} jions for some time. The battle of Coxede is, the time of Bolivar, whose policy was always to thef€fore, congidered as one of the most important keep the military men uppermost. in order to aid in its consequences, as well as the most sanguinary, his monarchical inteations * * * We annex to this of the revolution ” memoir a condensed translation of the constitution, | 1 will now present an extract from a work pub- the same now in force at the present time. It i lished in London in 1831, under the title of “Cam- very excellent constitution. The great defect, peigna and Cruises in Venezuela and New Gra- ever, in Venezuola. is the standing army, snd until eda from 14]7 to 1830,” written by a British of- that power is thrown down the republic will always ficer who served in those two countries durin; be exposed to danger ” @ portion of their revolutionary struggle; an Now, then, Monages, by open war, attacked'ead I give you the passage simply to correct an endeavored to destroy ‘‘that very excellent co enor which occurs in ‘ Heppisley’s Narra- tution” on two distinct occasions, and in 18/3 tive,” wherein the author attributes, from report, bed it to the hears. The great defect in Venezuela | an act ot cruelty te General Paez, of which he is on- is the standing army—Monagas is the type of the tirely innocent. The following is the paaaege, taken ilitery party, Paez of the civil. Is aot tie whole from page 37, vol. 1, of the above mentioned | told in these fow lines? | “Campaigus and Cruises:'’—‘‘It was the very same ith the above quotations, Mr. Editor, I leave wretch ((seneral Zedcfio) who # cruelly treated n the narrative for the present, and will now proceed | Spanish officer, his prisoner, giving him a horse to to give you afew extracts from English, I"rench, escape scrosa the are and, at the samo time, anda American writers, relative to their ostimate of threatening to kill him if he again fel! into hie the military services, and the political conduct and hands. Then, having followed bim in a few minutes character of the illustrious exile, General Paez; after, lancing him ia cold blood. This action has ass some proofs of the opinions entertained ef been laid, but unjustly, to Goneral Paoz's bim in the most enlightened mations, and by charge.” most distinguished statermen; of tho appre- In the memoir of tae life of General Paez, pub- ciation of his military zervices and patriotism lished in the New York Henaup ofthe 29th Jaly, bis companion-in-arma, the illustrious Simon 1850, now before me, is the following account of the Bolivar, and by his own country and country- en ment of ()ueseres del Medio, in which Paez men, when they were not under the influence of ‘the distinguished himgelf in an extraordinary manner:— type of the military party” AcdI dothis,Mr. ‘Un the first day of April. Gen. Morillo marched Editor, to show you, free and enlightened citizens along the left bank ef the Arauca, and approached hese United States of America, that when you | the p on occupied on the righ? boak by Conerals save honored the illustrious Pass witha public re- Paex and Bolivar, the latter of whom had returned | ception, and continue to harbor and respect the fromthe Congress, assembled at A: tara, and had been elected President of the republic. subsequently made several feigned movements to the right and to the left, as if he wished to cross the river, and at noon of the 2d., he took his position nearly oppoeite to that of Bolivar, out of the oan- non’a reach. For the purpose of drawing hin out, General Pacz croseed the river with one hundre aud fifty horeemen, composed of officers and soldiers, and, forming them into threo small ecolamns, advanced upon the enemy. Moriilo inmediately put ail his forces in motion. His infantry and artillery commevecd firing, whilst his ‘horse men charged upon the small band of patricts and he directed his courso towards tho bank o the river, hoping to overpower by numbers the week colun of the enemy. Paez, in the mesa time, retreated! in order, leaving the pass of the river on bis rea nd Morillo, observing this, and eupposing him i tably lost, detaci army all his cavalry, (consisting of one thousand horsemen, among whom were two hundred o: i neers,) in pursuit of Paos, and directed bi upen the right bank, which wus dofe light Lay As toon, however, as t! Ap raodest exile, that “type of the civil party,” you have not acted hastily, nor honored ‘‘a man to fame vaknown.” Some of the extracts will serve to show the position, influence and celebrity of General .’sez before the world as @ military man, and then re member that he sacrifiesd that position, helped to create and support “‘that very excellent constitn- jon,” and deliberately became “the type of the civil party” in Venezuela. In the work, in two volumes, entitled ‘'Rooolles- tions of a Service in Venezuela and Colombia,” ed in London, 1828, written by s British who served for three years during the revolu- tionary war in those republics, the following pas tages are found on pages 175, 174, 176, 177, 178, 136, and 192, of volume 2 The brave General Paez received me, though a stranger, with the greatest cordiality, and seeing me weak froms wouad which [ Bad reesived in the engagement with the Spaniards, gererously offered to yield up all his own little accommodations till I should be qaite recovered “This rived all nd noble minded man has de- eas and virtues from nature Nortured in a country perfectiy uncivilized, | mander o! ure perceived that the enemy’s horse | without the advantages of either birth or were at a considerable distance from the army, and he hes, by his own personal morit, hia | in disorder, he faced about auddenly, attacked his end und d courage, raised himself, pursuers in front and on tho flanks, in sraal! groups through the incidents which have from time to | of twenty mon, and without giving time occurred to him during the revolutionary con. | recover from their astonishment, or to arrange their | teat, to the command of by far the most eficctive | lines, he routed them, causing them great loss. In snd useful native force of any in the country. * * * vain they made the most obstinate resistance—in | He does not appear to have entertained any wish | rain the carabineers dismounted—ail their efforts to aggrandize nimeelf st this period, nor indeed at were useless; because disconcerted and taken by | any tubsequent one, a4 bia conduct has ever been | turprise, all those who opposed tho terrible attrok marked with ® most perfect disiateresediess and | wore killed on the spot. Paez pursued them, slay- indifference, as to his own advantage, in every ing all those whom he overtook, as far ae the one- | action of bis life ** * To enumerate all the my’s lines. Their infantry, thrown into confusion, anecdotes of this extraordinary mau would more | took refuge in the woods, tho artillery ceased firing, than fill a volume, #0 numerous and romantic are and night prevented the farther destruction of the the actions of his life. One of them, which is royalist army. Never before, nor alter, was seon, | truly characteristic of bis bravery and resolution in in the war of independense, # more unsqual contest, | cares of emergency, and which illustrates bia mili- nor one more glorious to the arws of the republie— tary ch ter, | will relate Bolivar wa: in tho | acontest which would be incradibie, if it were not pining of the Apure, with hie troope ina starving | eupported by the testimony both o! friends and condition, and without the means of proouriug food the enemies of Paez, and by a nnmbor of autheatic for his army unlees he took a circuitous march of documents. 0: day following this engagement, mony lesgues. to which the strength of tho men | Bolivar pablis & decreo, conferring the Cross of was incompetent, or find means to arrive at the Liberators, (/ilertadores,) on all the officers, ser point be wished to gain, by crossing the geants, corporals and soldiera who fought in thie Apure, on whore banke, on the opposite vide. glorious cp i y by the arma plenty of eattle grazing, withinsight of Morilio retreated mished troope. The latter could not we be had no hoata of cription, or t ly after this engagement that rafte; but dway aor ! ollowing add to the ar y fleoheras, which belonged to the | wbioh T from page 46 of vol. 2 of the Pubtic ere well armed and manned Bol Life of the Li xing at these in despair, and ys perading in front of t Prearpnnt. &o, ke s oy THR ARMY OF You have juet perte Boldvere | members of Congress, the officers of | the ed ir sought » shelter the woods, the roar of their cannon was sil before the breasts of our horses, and only the dark- nees of night preserved the army of the tyrant from complete and absolute destruction. Soldiers—Tho deed you have performed is but the prelude of what you cas accomplish. Prepare then for the combat, and reckon on victory, which you carry on the points of your lances and your bayonets. Bonivar. a ised quarters at Potrerites Marrorefios, April 3, 19,” Bolivar, as is well known, entertained the high- ost opinion of the rervices and tism of Gen- eral Paez, as appears from the following official com- munication, written immediately after the ocour- renoes of 1826. It is found in vol. 8 of tho work last quoted:— “Head Quarters at es eae To His Excellency the General-in-Chief José A. Paes, Supreme Chief of Venezuela, &c. Bin—The Liberator has just received, with inde- scribable joy, the submission of your Exelloncy to the government of the republic. By this dis- tinguished testimony of devotion to Colombia, and respect to the laws, your Exoellency has filled the measure of your own glory and of the na- tional happiness. The Liberator bas said te me:— * Yesterday, General Paes has saved the republic and given to it anew life. By parherin together the remnants cf the forces of Colombia, Gen. Paes preserved the vessel of State which had been wrecked through the disasters of the war, the cou- vulsions of nature, and intestine divisions; and he has bravely risked his life in ‘a hundred battles to liberate the people, who, regaining their sovereignty, have eatabiished their fundamental laws. These are the offended laws; this is the spears who owe to him gratitude andadmiration. To-day he hasgiven us domestic poace; let us, like Scipio, go and return thanks to keaven for having destroyed the enemies ot the republic, instead of hearing complaints and lamentations. On this day sounds of joy and senti- ments of gencrosity should alone be heard. (oneral Paez, far from being guilty, country.” His Excellency, therofore, directs me to say to your Excellency that, agreeable to the decree of the day before yeaterday, there aro no guilty per- sons in Venezuela, by reason of the reforms, and that all trials relative to the past are a violation of the sacred law, which guarantees the safety of all. | | | is the saviour of the | genstivalional | | ways regarded you as an eminent patriot, and the With perfect respect, I am your Excellency’s very | obedient servant. Tho Secretary of State and Se- | | eretary-Goneral of the Liberator, J. R. Ravenca.” The Liberator, Simon Bolivar, arrived in Caraccas | on the 10th January, 1527, and presented the sword which he had worn coats the campaigns in Vene- zuela, New Granada, and Peru, to General Paez, mbps roturned Shenk be iss cevenia: peace eet and regard in a beautiful speech, page 27, vol. 9, of the Public life of the Liberator. The Congress of Venezuela, in 1836, having de- creed that a golden sword should be presented to General Paez, it was on the 19tb April, 1838, pre- sented to him in Caraccas, in the presence of the vernme and the representatives of foreign nations, by ting President, General Soublette, who on that ion addressed General Paez thus:—‘‘Heroio actions, which have exercised an incalculable in- fiuence on the destinies of Venezuela, have rendered your public life illustrious. From the condition of a plain soldier up to the rank of general-in-chief of the armics of the republic; from the station of a pi vate citizen up to that of first magistri tion, you have passed career, in which your military valer and the princi- les which have guided you, have agsociated your name with the most iieportant epochs of our coun- try. Your fellow-citizens have not forgotten, and history will hand down to posterity, the many bat tles in which you distinguished youraclf, and the many critical situations in which you proved your foresight and pradence. An extraordinary action, due solely to your name and valor, has lately revi- ved the admiration thet you had won by the import- ant services rendered by you in 1835, and which, in particular, the Executive feels bound to recall to tind on presenting to you, in accordance with a special juw, this golden sword, a token of honor and , national gratitude. Upon it are inseribed these words:—‘The Congress of 1536 to the illustrious | citizen, defending the eonstitution and the laws of bis country.’ I cannot convey in more appropriate | terms the motive and objects of this noble and ines- timable present; and I can onjy add that I feel the most lively satisfaction that it has fallen to my lot to have the hono: of depositing in your hands the sword of Venezuela, which will transmit to our pos- ped the most positive and honorable peek of the confidence with which your services and submission to the laws have inspirod the people. Display it, | then, on this day when Venesuela colebrates the | apnive of her political regeneration, to increase | joy of our fellow. citizens. in 1637, William IV., of England, sent to Gen. i on which were ingsribed “The gift of King William the Fourth to General Paez, as s mark of esteem for bis character, and for the disinterested patriot- ism which has distinguished his gallant victo- tious cereer. 1837.” The gift was presented b: the British Minister in Venezuela, Sir Robert K. | Porter, accompanied by official note expressive of the high opinion entertained by his sovereign for the character and services of (ieneral I’aez. In 1843, the Citizen King of the French, Louis Philippe, named Genoral Paez “Great Officer of the J.egion of Honor,” aad sent him the cross ani | the cordon, the insignia appertaining to that high rank in the legion. The Great Officers of the Le- ion of Honor are entitled to, and receive wheu in (‘rance, all the honors due to Gencrals of the 'rench army. On that occasion appoared the following notice im the Democracte Pacifique :— (Translated from the Demoerecle Pacifique, published in Paris in 1843. GENERAIg PAEZ. jeaguro the distinguished proof of js Majosty Louis Philippe has just given to General Paez, ex: President of the fapublic ofVeneruela, by transmitting to him the Grand Cor- | brought in is the Arrogante Emolic, a fine large don of the Legion of Honor. Every thing combines in General Pacz to secure to him public sympathy | acd esteem; his political and administrative life ; | the brilliant actions in which he took part in tho war of independence ; bis nobie, firm, and disinter- ested conduct in the peouliarly difficult and deli- cate epoch of the re-establizument of peace and re spect for the laws, ina country where the inerdi- nate pretensions of victorious gonerals impelled went eo far az to calculate the amount of profit he | hoped to derive from the speculation. | them oue against the other, fer the sake of obtein- ing power at the point of the sword, or by the force of ny the first to proclaim the independencs of his coun- try, and trom the beginning served ag ® plain col- dier. At # later day, when the triumph of the reat causo was almost despaired of, after the de- eats which Bolivar sustained in the wes\ern prov- inces, and Marijio in the eastern, he organizod, i the immense eayannas of the Apare, several ofcavairy, with which he incessantly attac destroyed the Spanish forces His tactios were emi- nently skilful. When the Sponish batvalions sp- eared at any one point, he went cut to mect thera; ut as ho was aware that tre inferior discipline of his eoldiers wouid not allow chem to fight to advan- toge in large bodics, he immediately retreated. His ieeatans dispersed, and the Spaniards pursued them. The colloctiveand compact strength of the Spaniarde being thus broken, the followers of Paos turnedupou them, and the personal superiority of the inhabitant of the plains. made him master of his ouemies. It orps was thus that Pace destroyed by degress,at Queseras | Which ‘ucuritas anda hun- | boats ; de| Medio, Mata dela Miel, dred other places, « groat part of the no Spain rent over to Venezuela in 1815, comman by General Morillo, the companion and rival of tho Minas and the Umpecinados. J Genera! Paez, in the province ef Apure, and the in- timate conviction ris ined by Bolivar that this General could keep the army under Morillo in oheck, suggested to tho Liberator the great idea of sad- denly invading New Granada,which had been forced by Merlo to mit anew to the mothor country. This bold act cf Bolivar was complotely successful, and he soon joined again Gen. Paoz, who, on his part, bad bravely and firml, xe up his victorious struggle with the Spaniards. bi that ono two generals, having united, gained finally the battle ot Carnbobo, | which secured tho independence of the most impor- tans portion of Colombia. This victory enabled Bolivar to continue his triwwphant march into PAL. Nabe he gaincd the femous battle of Aya- cucho. “But in our day, when tho gencral wants of a na- tion can be satisfied only by ideas of organization, | ger ve of order, and of justice, the military exploits of Gen. Paez, however illustrious, are eclipsed by the ser- vices rendered by him through his civic virtues and his respect for the laws. It t# in feot to Gen. Pass that the Repoblic of Venezwela is indebted for the | freedom and peace which she now e,joys, for ho suy- efolly oppored his Grmnesa and infiuevee to the Jawlets pretensions of the old generale of the great war It washe who repressed military ambition— the perinanent cause of that anaroby whivu is still ng the other porti thy love of civil liberty by becoming It is pot, thorofore, to be won. Venezuelans should compare him ty baving boon restored by wer of the republis was ena- of this generai, to en- estions relative to tho Th we of 4 sh a | a ist iid | Seceeniaycnminnt ope | who fatten on the spoils; the very judges open to | | comuption, and crime committed with impunity. | | Well may it be remarked of General Paox and his | | | | under the Monagas rule? Instead of that “rotation | #0 much desired, we have one brother Monagas suc: | | Your obedient servant, | INTERESTING INFELLIGENCE FROM HAVANA. | | from the coast of Africa. | been landed within the last few weeks, and the | British frigate Vestal has brought into this port no | less than four prizes for adjudication—vossels which | had fitted out for the Afrioan slave trade, and this, { too, within less than a week. ring from among the masecs, was one of | shackles, and alithe other requisites for a voyage aod | ments, | | | of tho Britich to detain the vessols i eof South Amprios; | | General | tostim roan | its foot- by the natives; improve- “a in public education by the establishmodt of ~<a tnatitates, mck as 6 sone fomica of male ae means at impulse given matios, ax motions cengions amapleyed in Which, “Se lowest classes, receive a compen- ina, even those of ta " gation which affe,, 2° them ste decent supper, and * lows them to devote a yar raaes revenue subjeo. veloping; roads under. proved. “We rejoice that the mara of distinction which deservedly so, » opportunity of ich do honor ‘oz. has just received, ~ from our sovereign, has given us a recalling to mind some of the acts W. to the publio life of this great citizen.” and N In 1845, Oscar the First, king ef Sweden "4 1 0r way, the son of the oelebrat. es] sent to General Paex the (rand Cross of the Milk ae) Order of the Sword, with a communication comchs in terms 6x for the general. A work, eee in your city of New York, un- der the title of ‘Men of the Times,” contains a brief biography of General Paez, in which his merits and gervices are justly recognized; and I have now before me a publication, also printed in New York, containing, among other evidences of the apprecia- tion of the character and political conduct of (iene- ral Paez, the remarks made by those illustrious American statesmen and orators, Henry Clay and Dariel Webster, on occasion of the general’s visit to Washington, in 1861. Henry Clay having been pre- sented in the Senate to General Paez, who then made allusion to the important services red by Mr. Clay to the cause of South American indepen dence, the venerated statesman replied—‘‘It is true I felt a great-interest and took an activo part in favor of the recognition of your independence ; but my interest was much diminished when I observed the wreck of your country, and the oontizual agitations to which it was sub- jected ; however, when Venezuela, having be- come a free and independent nation, commenced, through your exertions, reer of progress, under | liberal institutions, and a governmont that offered | uarantees to your fellow-citizens, the interest that I had felt revived, and I | entertain well grounded hopes.” Daniel when introduced to General Paez, said watched the events of your political rience much gatisfaction in saying that I have al- firm supporter of tho civil institutions of your coun- have, Mr. Kditor, given you seme of the meay onials in favor of General Pae ‘ich, ooming from high and sesel gens sources, are entitled to great weight; but as Greer leer Lie the | narrative of the “Impartial Observer,” I will now | wind up with another extract from the same paper. It is as follows, viz. :—‘ We have thusseen General Paex obtain for Venesuela an independent govern- ment—we have seen him act as President for a con- stitutional term ; put down a serious revolt; calm the country ; bring Srey inte a flourishing condition, and, finally, leave his Presidential seat, | the credit ofthe count try good, its trade, commerce, and agriculture increasing, and no cloud to be seen in the pelitical horizon.” And what isthe condition of this country now, in office,” which the writer of the narrative says was cecding another brother Monagas in the Presidential chair, the credit of the country completely annihi- lated, and the revenues equande by what has | beon very svpropestaly denominated here the /a- dromera, (the robber’s den,) composed of a clique i opponents, ‘By their fruita ye shall know ae rs : i} ABRIVAL OF THE EMPIRE CITY. contyeveation ef the strictest article the port regulations. Havana, Doo. 29, 1862. Determination of the BritishGovernment te Put Baw the Slave Trofic— Audacity of the Slave Traders, and Cownivance of the Authoritiee—The Venue Slaver Fitted Out in Havana, and Permitted to Leave Port at Midnight, contrary to the Stringen: ~ Regulations—Purswit and Capture of Her by the “British Frigate Vestal—Two other Slave Schoow- ersalso Captured, and finally 4 Fourth Price— Commencement of the Legal Inquiry, §c., §c. Disgusted, doubtless, at the impunity with which the Cuban slave traders are permitted by the Spanish authorities in this island to carry on their horrible traflio with the coast of Africa, and probably satis- fied as to the facts, so notorious, that the dealors in human beings are fully sauotioned and protected in their illicit trade by the Spanish officials ia Cuba, | whe, it is equally notorious, receive bribes of 30 much a head for every negro brought from the oeast of Afrios, it would appoar that the British govern- pressive of his high regard and est°@M™ ) nent no longer intend 40 be antisffed by the lying assn."8h0es of the Spanish government, in their pro- injses to Buse tho stipulations of the slave trade treaties to bv faithfully observed in Oubs. Bet it would seem that ia future it is tho intention of the British government +@ make that of Spsindo what is right in the matter. We have had hero for some time several British wa? vosdels, who have orders to cruise in these waters. She Lady Suffolk bud the decency to go tos port twenty milss from hence to take in her armament and slaving equipments; but the notorious slaver Venus, and fer two com~ jons, the Carlota aud Cuatros Hermanos, count- ing upon the full protection of General Caiiedo, thought the trouble of moving to another port to finish her slaving equipments quite unnecessary, end so concluded them here, under the vory eyes of the Captain of the Port. Every body knows that it is atriotly forbidden at Havana to umy vessel to ac- tempt to leave the port between eunset and sunrise, any vosrel ao attempting to leave would be fired at from the Moro, and if she did not inatantly return ’ would be sunk. About six wocks ago, tho British steamer Deo was detained nearly ua hour in the Narrows, to the manifes} risk of the vessel, boosuse she was steaming out of the port at sunset. It ia also oa record, that the mail steamer Tweed was brought back into this harbor, after she had actually got outside the Mero befere sunset was made, notwithstanding the Tweed was a mail ateam- er, and every moment of the utmost importance. She was, nevertheless, detained all night in Port. But the Venus being imtended for the coast of Africa, was net only allowed to depart from Ha- , yava without being cleared at the custem house, but was permitted to sail out of the port at mid- night. If this is not connivance of the Spanish aa- thorities with the slave traders, and, especially in this instareo, of Mr. Luna, the Captain of the Port, I do not know what else it can be called. The Vonus sailed midnight of the 17th. The British frigate Vestal, Captain Hamilton, who evidently must have had bis oe on the slaver, ss soon as daylight enabled them to see that she was one, got immediately under weigh, although f had not asailto his yards when he slipped his anchor, and was towed te sea by a small steamer, the erew bending sails as they passed do the harbor, and although the Venus had so maag b start, the frigate gave chase and was ferta- nate enough, I understand, to ceme up with th alaver ut the Cayos, off Cardenas. Some of the ore’ escaped, but they left all the pap:rs behind them. Tlearn that the captain confessed th. was going to the .coas: of Africa; indeed, his low and ps- pers, which it is said were found on board, pisinly steed the fact. With the Venus two other sehoon- ers, the Carlota and Cuatros Hermanes, were takea at the same place, laden with the usual cargoes for slave vessels, and have also beem brought prizes to Havana. The Mixed Commission Court was to have been opened to try the three vessels above named on Friday last, when it seems the owners of another slaver, the Arrogante Ewiiio, thinking the commander of the Vestal’s attention would be wholly taken up by the trial, attempted to anoak cut of this port unobserved ; but it seems she ‘The Progress of the Slave Trade, | dio., Sic, he. | ‘The steamship Empire City, Oapt. Windle, arrived | yesterday from Havana, whence sho sailed on the | | 29th ult. There is no news, except in relation to the slave trade, that is interesting, and for the Tdetails wo | refer to our correspondence. Our Havana Correspondence. Havana, Deo, 29, 1852. Mere Particulars Respecting the Capture of the Venus, &c.. §c, For scmo time past the greatest activity has reigned amongst the African slave traders of this island. Veseels have boen and are fitting out in every port, even here, under the very noses of the authorities, whom rumor states are largely inter- | ested in the speculations; it is even said that some | of them have taken shares in tho ventures; but I | am inolinéd te think they reckon more upon the fess | Of so much # head, which they consider they are entitled to, for every negro brought to this island Several cargoes have The names of tho prizes are the Venus, a note tious elavor, the Carlota, and the Custros Her manor, all topsail schooners. Tho Inst vessel brig. On board the Venus, my friend the Marquis of —— informs me, everything denoted her desti- nation. Not only was she fully equipped for the slave trade, but all the eaptain’s letters and papers, which were seized, mentioned the numberof negroes he expeoted to bring from the coast, and he even The Venus was fully provided with a siave deck, to the coast of Africa; but upon boing captured, | the captain declared he was 4 coasting vessel, and effect; however, upon atrict search being made, it |‘ was discovered be bad also anothor set of doou- | | an ounce a head for seventy no, from the Spanish authorities, for the coast of Atrica. This, added to the fact of bis being al- | lowed to dopart from the port during the night, has | given rise to # suspicion of connivance on the part | of the authovities. Moreover, I have heard that | upon the seizure of his vessel by the captain of the | British frigate, the master of the Venus fell on his | knees, and confeeeed that he was bound to the coast | of Africa, but at present on bis way to the Cayos, | oif Cardinas, where he was to wait the arrival of | the rchoonucr Carlota, to complete his oquipments, | she was to bring to him. Upon the British proceeding to the Cayos indicated by the | esptain of the Venus, sure enough, there wasthe | ded Corlota, aa also the Cuatros Hermsnos, fully ladon | with the neoesearies for a slaving voyage, which | The brilliant foate of | Were to have been put om board the Venus, and | another veesel, 00 doubt the Arrogante Emilio, ted to rendezvous at those Cayos which was ox al, baring captured the three vessels | The Vest above alluded to, brought thom to Havana for trial, | which was to have been commenced om the 23d De- ' cember, whon the owners, doubtless supposing that | the coptain of the Vestal’s attention would be wholly engroseed with tho oase of the three prixas, gave orders to the Arrogante lmilio to sail, whieh | he accordingly did at about 11 A M. tho same day. The Veetal very soon afterwards followed, aud | bronght her, aleo, back into port for adjudication. | This latter veescl has a slave deck, and overy way filted for a voyage to the const of Afrion for ; Cuba slaves ; that that was her destination, was noto- rious to everybody, and it wan openly spoken of | But, no effort on the part of the Spanish authorities be loft untried to obtain the liberation of these and the Spanish Judge of the Mixed Com- mission being ore of the greatest slave dealers in tho iclaud, of course juatice cannot be expoo'ed from bim. The result will be, that the Spanish aod | Linglish judges will be unable to coma to @ decision in the matter, in which case, L understand, it is tho custom to toss up for an arbitrator, who will decide, f course, should be be af paniard, against the right io question. The owners cf the capiured vessels have already been furnished by the Spanish authorities, sinc sels Wore brought into port, with documents, pur- porting to prove (bat the said vessela, when captured, wore bourd on legal voyages The greatest excitement prevails hore in conse- quence of the capture of these vessela. The © apiain of the Port, piupon that vessel’ with the Arrogante lio in tow, and with rage ont b ment ot certain the Port, bo w to port y danood | Coived the sum of one ounce, or | produced Havana custom houso clearances to that | arises, | tho encrmous mejority of the colored tho ves- | soon missed, and she also, a few hours afteew: was brought back by the Vestal, which makes foar prises which are under adjudicature by tae Mixed Court, which commenced proceedings, Iam told, yesterday. I will endeavor to obtain full psrtieulan: of all these matters, and, if succsssful, you shall bave them as soon as possi)! OuseRvar. Our Trinidad Correspondence. TarniDad DE Cuss, Deo. 20, 1852 More Disembarkation of Negroes from Africa— Death of Eighteen Slaves on ithe Vogage— Publu Sale of the Human Cargo—Corruption of Spanish Oficials—The Creoles Petitioning Against the Immense Influx of Slaves—Their Representations Disregarded—Adopting the Alternate of Ea- posing the Slave Trade Through the Columns of the Hera, §c., $+. As a Creole of the island of Cuba, and ens whe is warmly interested in the wolfars of the laad of his birth, I trouble you with th» following statement of facts, notoriousto the extire comma- nity of this district, respecting @ receu: ditombarka- tion of negroes from the coast of Africa, whioh hae just been effected near this city, at » piace called Rio Punto de Zarza. A few days ago there arrived at the last msatios- ed place guayro, auch as those which ars ased for coasting in the river Congo. This vosael, whioh had been longthened some time provious to sailing from Africa, brought 273 alaves. She was sixty-five days on the voyage, during waioh tims sig hteon of the negroes died. The slavea were landed and re- ceived at Zarza by Don Salvador Castro, of thie place, who immediately had them conveyed to the . estate called Guayinaro, belonging to Don Mariana Borrell, where, in the moat open and sudaciom manner, they wore publicly sold, in lota of sight, twenty, thirty, and forty negioes. Thore ars now - for sale forty-eight, inthe hands of Mossrs. Mara- gat, Palun & Co, and Don José San Martin, which will bo taken on Sunday noxt, In the Spanish stoner Isabel, from this poiat, probably to Olen- fuegoa, and there sold. The veesel whish brought those negroes from Africa was burnt in the river Zarsa, after every- thing had beon taken out of her. The Liewtonant Governor of Trinidad, El Senor ds Htizsids, having sanctioned the introduotion of the eaid slaves, ro- doilaca, for cvoh negro which wai Isudod, ovntraven- tion of the existing tre Tao Lisutsasnt Go- vernor of Ciesfurgos, El Seuor Reyes, alao roveived staves, whish were part of a cargo recentiy landed in this neigh- borkood, and takoa, by certain speoulstors, te Cien- fuegos, whore they were soid. ‘Iho said Governor Reyes expocts to receive o similar sum for che forty-eight which are to leave this place in the steamer Isabel, on Sunday wext, fur tae pork of Cieniuegoa. Petition after petition has been addray: by the oyal Creoles of this islaad, tothe Queon of Spria, epresenting to her Majesty the duoger whist is * ikely to result, and has already, upon devoral o@- asicne, threatenod to disturb its traaquility, from population over thas of the white, and its immense inoreate & reason ofthe slave trade with, Africa, but to whieh not the slightest attention has been peid by the Bpanish government; but, on the ooatrary, tan aa- thoritios of Spain in Guba appoar to"oonn ad courtenance, and actualiy promote, by every mesos intheir power, this iliegal and dangerous treffie. The Creoles homesives under tho neoos of, adopting other moans of oxpocing to the wor d the dishonesty eevee by the Spanish officials ia Cuba —the above case Loing but one of very many which recently have ocourred in this distriot By fiving thia an insertion in your valasble Journal you will oblige, without, I will zonture te eay, one single exception, every Croole in tho isiaad oi Cuba, who e one and all bitterly opposed to the” in slaves, which is ontirely carried talan aud other strangers resident im Case Miser Unirap Staves Sswaror —-Io rela- tion to the appolatment by Covornce Foote of BLM Kenyon to the offlos of United States Benator for Wisain- eippl, the Na’ that thers ts of ono ef th March nex of that & al Pitelagencer thinks ts highly provable * e mistake in it 11 ia (rue that the term nators from Mis.fesippt will expice tm itie equally true that the Legislatarm apprised at ita last reesion of thir gro- ‘and either 4 clect © naw exator. or felled Im the effrt todo eo, Under there circumstancas. tho Governor has no power over the ap- poiniment. 4 he canonly fill a vacnasy inctdentalig bh occurring Acass direotly in point wan aetued tw reven years ogo. by the Benate itself, when, disregarding reveral precedomta, (being caves in ‘whieh no objection bad be it refused to reoogin ecanmens regular term, Mr Leno the Governor ‘of judgment. given against an exe: rintment which ‘was pethapa, emiitiod to gre on [is having Leon made in purruanoe o' wot Conmectt- cut. bas stocd nati the praeent Wo pre therofore. that Mirsianippt Will remata aro ome of her sewatoriel hairs until bee Leg eleot @ per-on aod fu th! Coke wil bela the Femme codition as North ove Lergialeture failed *weDaker bo omapy vik realm the (uh af ont |