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


OF all the numerous correspondents Of the
Herald, believe this will be the first from the
venerable mother Of cities in the new world a
city which should indeed be venerated, being the
first founded on this continent. its founder,
Gonzal0 Ocampo, here commenced the good work
in the year 1920.
The city was commenced about three leagues TO
the north Of its present site, and magnificent Tor
was there erected which still remains, deserted a
little to the north Of the fort, the rising ground,
stands the first arch Of the tower of the first
church erected this side the water, at least
since Christopher Columbus made his discoveries
L stands alone on barren and forsaken spot
fingered for hours contemplating this ancient ruin
and struck with melancholy awe at beholdiug
the remnant OF the first temple erected to the living
God on this vast continent, and not the least pains
are taken TO preserve this venerable relic in fact,
scarce person III this city knew OF its existence.
Cumana was removed from the spot above de-
scrbed soon after II was commenced to be built,
owing to the want OF water, which the place is
destitute OF, and planted on the limped river Man.
zanara, three-fourths OF a mile from its mouth.
The city before the revolution which first broke
out here, contained abont thirty thousand inhab-
tants it now only numbers eight thousand souls,
scattered over plain and divided by the river
above described, and connected by a 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 il was
erected the flooring planks only have been re-
newed /; in the centre OF the bridge, either side
projects platform or gallery with seats, on
which politics discussed every evening. The
Cristianos (whigs) occupy one side, and the Libe.
raes Oocofocos) the other.
Politics here are carried to an alarming pitch
The election is ever and resulted in favor Of the
Cristianos by majority OF two notes.-the votes
are taken uiva voce, and the polls were open eight
days according to law; the churches were designa-
ted as the places OF voting, fearing an outbreak;
and it was supposed the churches would be re-
specled PROFESSIONS every night-..fireworks and
songs. g Tippecanoc and Tyler too" were entirely
eclipsed IN song singing, and some twenty days
were exhausted IN counting the votes by the city
council. Thus, about one month in twelve is ex-
cusively devoted to politics, by every class Of So
cety 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
i to be wondered at, this city being reduced from
its former prosperity and wealth to abject poverty.
Every free man, over twenty-five years old, is eli
gible to the elective franchise, except felcns or
crimes, or bankrupts who are unable to pay their
debts. Bankrupts are, therefore, placed on par
with criminals, because 1t deems it criminal to
squander away the property OF another person:
the capital, extends 200 miles from east to west,
and nearly the same from north to south, and IS d.
Vded into nine cantons, with population OF
$500; It sends two Senators and three representa-
tives to Congress; it has every diversity OF soil,
very fertile, but from the Incidence OF the inhabi-
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 Caballers dis
dana to bring up his son to be an artlZan because
il would be degrading, and the PeOn has not the
M "A n m "a nYO.
LESSONS.
Every child that is not sams cuottes is admitted
into the free schools, and there are but few OF
either sex who cannot read and write, and in the
country they are taught by their mother elder
sister, who has received some education. The
laws are generally excellent, but frequently badly
administered. ltrequires two witnesses to prove
crime or debt, but the proceedings are simple; 10
recover payment Of debt, the account or 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 endeav0rs to effect a settlement
between them, but 1t they. are obstinate,
he directs each party produce the names OF three
persons to act as arbltrators; each party then
chooses name from the list OF his opponent,
and 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 writ
ing When completed, the Judge cites the two arbl-
traitors, and they pronounce sentence. The de-
fendan, il he is adjudged TO pay is allowed three
days before execution issues against his property
and person. Where law only affects two
persons, they may obviate the law by any agree
ment between themselves, Leaving them Tree
agents, without the arbitrary interference Of the
law. For instance, the legal interest by law is IL
per cent, but the parties may agree upon II per
cent per month, il they choose, and can recover,
because il does not effect a third party. No per-
son is admitted as a witness IN civil cause with
in the fourth degree OF relationship, and no person
Of like affinity is compelled to give evidence in
AM IL au,t are mt aWO p her
upon the Bible or cross, nor Is any torn OF oath adj
ministered in courts Justice. The Judge asks the
witness If he will speak the truth, and he mods
consent, thus acting upon the just principal that II
witness wilt lie, he will swear TO It,
Every canton has its courts; the Acalde or
Judge is elected by the people OF the canton year
ly. There are also three circuits in the province,
but neither OF the Judges are lawyers The supe-
rior court, court of appeal, holden IN this capital,
is composed OF three Judges, who are lawyers,
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
create more suffering, it is said, than is derived
from every other source. They prey upon the We
ry vltals OF their victims. How, then, can your
city survive with six hundred such vamplres!-
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
money, and feed themselves. The prison itself is
a little more comfortable than the best dwellings
in this city; facing the public square, the win
dows are large and reach TO within three feet OF
the side walk, the apertures between the iron bars
beng6 by inches the prisoners in large airy front
psrors, amuse the mselves with cards, dice, &C.
They have spacious yard to walk in, and their
friends can call at all hours Of the day without in
terruptlon. The only distinction made is, the gentle
men occupy one paror, and the laboriDg men the
other, with a guard Of six soldiers to attend them
Situated on the bank OF the beautiful gulf Of
Caviaco, three fourths OF mile from the city, is a
neatliule building, exclusively for eprosy persons
of both sexes There are many persons there af-
hicted with this most loathsome and incurabe dis
ease, VINO nger and are consumed by degrees. ]
am told that love enters this abode, and that mar
riages are here contracted between the inmates,
and though banished from their friends and an
intercourse with the world, they still find enjoy
ments This dreadful disease is said to add great
" to the amorous disposition Of the afflicted.
Not one is licensed to kill scientifically; they