The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-02
Caracas.
Correspondence Of the Herald

venerable mother OF cities in the new world a
city which should indeed be venerated, being the
first founded this continent Its founder,
Gonzalo Ocampo, here commenced the good work
in the year 1890
The city was commenced about three leagues To
the north of its present site, and magnificent for
was there erected, which still remains deserted
little to the north of the fsrt, the rising ground
stands the first arch OF the tower of the first
church ever erected this side the water, at least
since Christopher Columbus made his discoveries ;
Z stands alone on a barren and forsaken spot.
fingered Tor hours contemplating this ancient ruin,
and was struck with melancholy awe at beholding
the remnant OF the first temple erected 10 the living
God on this vast continent, and the least pains
are taken TO preserve this venerable relic; in fact
scarce person in this city knew OF It's existence.
Cumana was removed from the spot above de-
scrbed soon after It was commenced 10 be built,
owing to the want OF water, which the place is
destitute OF, and planted on the lmped river Man.
zanara, three-fourths Of mile from its mouth.
The city before the revolution which first broke
out here, contained about thirty thousand nhabi-
tants; it now only numbers eight thousand souls,
scattered over plain and divided by the river
above described, and connected by wooden
bridge three hundred feet between the butments,
and supported by. wooden posts thirty feet
above the water; this venerable wooden bridge is
said to be one hundred years old, entirely exposed
| 10 the weather, but as sound as the day it was
erected the flooring planks only have been re-
newcd in the centre OF the BRIDGE on either side
projects platform or gallery with seats,
which politics are discussed every evening The
Crlstanos lwhigs) occupy one side, and the Libe-
rales (ocofocos) the Other.
Politics here are carried to an alarming pitch.
The election is over and re suited in favor Of the
Crlstanos by majority OF two Notes.-The votes
are taken vUG U0ce, and the polls open eight
days according to law; the churches were desgna-
ted as the places OF voting, fearing an outbreak;
and it was supposed the churches would be re-
spected. PROFESSIONS every nght-hreworks and
songs " Tippecanoe and Tyler too were entirely
ecllpsed in song singing, and some twenty days
council Thus, about one month in twelve is ex-
clusvcly devoted to politics, by every class of
ciety the ladies, however, are the most invete
rate politicians; their whole theme Of conversation
has been on the result of the election. How is it
possible that such a country can thrive Z And is
it to be wondered at, this city being reduced from
ITS former prosperity and wealth TO AFFECT poverty
Every free man, over twentyf five years old, is eli
glble to the elective franchise, except felcns or
persons who have been convicted of infamous
crimes, or bankrupts who are unable to pay their
debts Bankrupts are, therefore, placed on par
with criminals, because 1t deems 1t criminal to
squander away the property Of another person.
The province OF Cumana, OF which this city is
the capital, extends 200 miles from east to west,
and nearly the saEle from north to south, and Is d.
vlded into nine cantons, with a population OF
6S 900; it sends two Senators and three representa-
tives to Congress; 1t has every diversity OF soil,
very fertile, but from the Incidence OF the nhabI-
tants, they are indignant, and but few enjoy the
| common comforts OF life There are two classes,
| the Caballeros and Peones The former are above
to exist in poverty and seldom rise above the sphere
| nature destined them to fill The Caballere dis
dams to bring up his son to be an artlzan, because
| 1t would be degrading, and the Peon has not the
opportunity or ability 10 study the mechanical pro-
LESSONS.
Every child that is not sans cslottes is admitted
INTO the free schools, and there are but few oil
| either sex who cannot read and write, and in the
Il "A hp m her or a npd de
i sister, who has received some education. The
laws are generally excellent but frequently badly
administered. 1t requires two Witnesses to prove
crime or debt, but the proceedingsare simple; TO
| recover payment OF debt, the account note Is
| filed with the clerk of the court; he issues
summons TO the party defendant to appear
| the following day; when the parties meet,
the Judge endeavors to effect settlement
between them, but ii they are obstinate,
he directs each party to produce the names OF three
| persons to act as arbltrators; each party then
CHOOSES one name from the list OF his opponent,
ana those two form the court with the judge to try
| the cause; witnesses may be called and examined
by either party from dav to day before the judge,
/ and the clerk takes the testimony down in wrt-
ing. When completed, the Judge cites the two aib-
| traitors, and they pronounce sentence. The de-
tendant, 1t he IS adJudsed to pay, IS allowed three
days before execution Issues against his property
| and person. Where law only affects two
persons, they may obvlate the law by any agree
/ ment between themselves, leaving them free
agents. without the arbitrary interference OF the
L
/ per cent, but the parties may agree upon IL per
| cent per month, If they choose, and can recover,
because it does not effect third party. No per-
son is admitted as a witness in a civil with
in the fourth degree Of relationship, and no person
/ OF like affinity is compelled TO give evidence IN
i any criminal suit Witnesses are not sworn either
upc the Bible or cross, nor Is any form OF oath adj
ministered in courts of justice. The Judge asks the
| wltHess # he will speak the truth, and he mods
consent thus acting upon the jest principal that If
witness will tell lie, he will swear TO il.
Every canton has its COURTS the Alcalde
Judge is elected by the people OF the canton year
| ly. There also three circuits in the province,
but neither OF the judges are lawyers. The supe-
ror court, or court OF appeal holden In this capital
and from them there is an appeal to the supreme
/ court of the nation, consisting OF five Judges
There are five lawyers in this city, but none others
/ in the province. These five do more injury, and
| from every other source. They prey upon the We
| ny vltals OF their victims. How, then, can your
| city survive with six hundred such vampires?-
The jail OF this city is the only one in the province
and State prison, debtors prison. and lunatic asy
lum. II has eleven inmates for crimes OF every
description, four OF which have not yet had their
/ trials and the above number includes one insane
| person The prisoners draw fifteen cents daily IN
money, and feed themselves. The prison Itself Is
| little more comfortable than the best dwellings
in THIS city; faciag on the public square, the WIN
i dows are large, and reach TO within three feet OF
the side walk, the aperures between the iron bars
being by inches; the prisoners in large airy front
i psrors, amuse themselves with cards, dice, &c
/ They have a spasious yard to walk in, and their
i friends can call at all hours OF the day without in
terruption The only distinction made is, the gentle
i men occupy one parlor, and the laborng men the
/ other with guard of six soldiers to attend them
i Situated on the bank OF the beautiful guilt Of
i Cayiaco, three fourths Of amile from the city, is
neat little building, exclusively for leprosy persons
i of both sexes. There are mary persons there at
i hicted with this most Ioahsome and incurable die
| ease, who linger aud are consumed by degrees. !
am told that love enters this abode, and that mar
i RACES are here contracted between the inmates,
Il and though banished from their friends and an
Il intercourse with the world, they still find enjoy
i ments This dreadful disease is said to add great
i Iy to the amorous disposition OF the afflicted.
/ Not one is licensed to kill scientifically; they
/ are all burglars. The poor patients cannot die
secundpn, drtem in this ancient city.