Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-04-19

though they adjoin each otner. In
the first pIace there are few negroes
or mulatoes, in the secon lscarcely "a
nv white remain. The inhabitant of
sante Fe has shewn himself coward
" and timid. The Venezuelan dar.
ing and sansuinary--but in dissi.nu-
Iation and perfdy they are alike.
Perhaps this Vice royalty would nat
have made so obstinate a resistance
if it had not have been for the We
nezueIans. Carthagena was defended
to the utmost extremity by venezue-
lans. To the right of Magdelou, they
have fought various battles with
troops organized, by Venezueians
Tho Mountainous and barren
province Of Anteapuia has twice de.
clarsd a war of determination and
they are now in possession ofthe pas
SEES fortified by venezuelans. sante
Fe received its sanguinary ideas from
the emissaries which were sent from
Venezuela and in part all the evils
with which this country ia afflicted,
is the work of Venezuela. On their
own soil they are audacious, furi-
Gus, and should they obtain good
commanders, great deal of blood
must be split before they will be re.
duced.
When | arrived here with his Ma
iesty's expedition. | was struck with
horror, at the losses which each action
whether gained OF lost, cost us. l
believed that this rancor, was the
work Of two parties, each DESTROYS Of
revcuging itself. and l conceived it to
be the proper moment to exercise the
clemency so much recommended by
his Majesty. This goodness with
ont parallel is the only point in
which strangers in their public pa
pers have not dared to attack a IA
ton. to whom they have attributed
the character of being sanguinary.
What sir, has been the result of new
revolutions, new perfdies, and il ths
pacifcation of this Vice royalty has
been accomplished, it submits only
for the purpose of watching a more
favorite opportunity Of rising. in or
der to secure safety. New reinforces,
as I have repeatedly stated are ne
ccssary, together with an unity Of
power in the captain generalship,
IL even then I do not believe that the
sub.iugation Of the country ia the
work of a day, but view It as requir-
ing much perseverance and constan.;
CIV. The war is a struggle Of blacks
against whites.
Presenting to liis majesty, this
short picture Of the state Of Venczuc-
la, I request that he may read with
attention, what have said on the oc-
casion. believe your excellencyI
will DO convinced, that this is not the
to divide tho supreme CON-
mand, but that on the contrary, it
viii be necessary to give it a greater
unity & durability, not only for the
purpsse of decision and despatch, but
also to prevent those discords Of which
the rebels from Mexico to Peru, have
with so much sagacity avaiied them.
selves; although | can with conf
dence boast, that there could not have
been between two commanders Of the
different forces greater harmony
than has been enjoyed by this expedi-
ton ; but this fortunate state Of
things cannot be always anticipated.
so az to enable US to calculate the Ger.
tainty upon an event Of S" much i'm
portance as the paciGcation Of the We
nezuela
I believe il to be my duty to repeat
that the supreme command should be
placed in the hands of one person. d
that his authority should be unlimited
as without it, many delays and evils
of the regular tribunals cannot return
to the exercise of their ancient lunc
tons. until the pacifcation Of all the
provinces is complicated, and that they
ought at this moment Ia be considered
as one vast field of battle, in which
force is to decide the contest: L. that
the general may gain the action,
either by his talents or good fortune
without any person daring to act
otherwise, than silently to obey and
execute the Commands of his chief !:
and that the rest of tho powers which
are quiet, should be considered as the
deposit from whence the resources to
gam the action must be drawn.