Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-03-09
Important from Venezuela.
Terrible Massacre of Congressmeni
ANTICIPATED REVOLUTION.

lrri .ed at Norfolk on the 24th inst, from La
guayra, whence she sailed on the 1st inst, t
She was chartered TO bring dispatches 10 the r
government at Washington, and the Herald
learns that Captain Doty proceeded immedi-
ately to Washington with the dispatches.
There have been some terrible scenes enact
ed at Caracas. The Venezuelan Congress {
met on the oath ult., was overwhelmed by /
the populace, set on, it is said, by the Presi-
dent, and several of the members horribly mas
sacred. 1t was expected that a revolution
would Immediately break out throughout the
Republic.
The greatest excitement prevailed when the
Susan Ludwig sailed. The Herald has receiv-
ed several accounts of the scenes, one of which
we annex.
CARACAS, Jan, 81, 1S4S.
/ herewith send you hasty sketch of the
present state of this city. |
About one year ago, General Monargas was
placed in the Presidential chair by the party
called Oligarquis; the choice Was forlorn
hope at the time, as he was the only person tOl
oppose the candidate of the liberal party. On
the arrival of the President elect at La Guira
1
| (although many years of disgustO had existed
between them,) and after cordial embrace,
/ they came up 10 Caracas. PdeZ used his in
| influence and advice 10 form the cabinet, with
some of our best citizens. The government
started quietly, and confidence and hope ami
mated the pubic. A few short weeks put an
end 10 our expectations; several of the cabinet
retired in disgust, and the President kept the
breach widening, By the appointment OF ID num-
Der of offenders against the former government.
Many influential men, and among them Gen.
Flores, endeavored TO heal the breach. Meet
ings were held; circumstances and threats
from the Press poured forth in volumes, final
~ it was determined TO lmpeach the President
before the Congress about 10 meet.
In the meantime the President disarmed the
militia actaUO, and placed arms in The hands
of the meLltia rcScrUo, known to be most fav-
orable TO the liberal party, all the old liberals
were invited TO return, and many were placed
r in Office some not being entitled 10 citizen
ship. Commerce became crippled, and conf
dence destroyed; the government hobbled on
with an empty treasury; large bodies OF troops
Nere preparing, near Caracas; and, on the
oath OF this month, !wh n there were scarcely
members enough 10 form aquorum IN the house
of REPRESENTATIVES, there were 1000 troops in
and near the city, On the opening OF Congress. Sc
: rious disorder commenced between several
members; high words drew a crowd; daggers
were drawn, and, it is said, a member from
= the city-Hon. Htmergildo Garcia-stabbed a
9, member from Maracaibo, Hon. Antonio Salas.
: The scene which ensued was terrific; those
that could, fed; and when the alarm reached
the street, the citizens fed in terror. A body
{ of soldiers rushed in front of the hall, firing
: several vollies indiscrimipately into the win
2 dows. Several members reached the door, and
were cut down like dogs The wounded mem
ber bleeding, was not recognized by the sol
5, diers; they fell on him, his left cheek and cal
K were shot away-a severe cut over the head
!. nearly severed it from his body, and his body
: terribly mangled with bayonets, The Hon
% Julian Garcia, of Caracas, was shot through
the head-the ball entering one ear and pas
st sing out at the other-alt the fingers on the
n left hand cut off, and sixteen wounds in Othe
parts of tile body. The Hon. Juan Garcia hat
&c sword run through his body, and fell dead
5; Colonel Smith was badly wounded with bay
IS; onet-several others were killed, and som
no wounded Those who could not escape ii
40 front, wrenched off the iron bars of back win
W dow, and BY means of a settee, made brldg
is to the top of wall, where few poles wer
It found; aud with these they escaped over seN
: eral walls, torn and bruised.
The whole square was soon surrounded
the troops, and the honorable members wei
IN, made prisoners-some with scarcely clothes o
le- some without hats, boots. indispensable
We some few shared better fate. The crow
rushed into the Hall, destroying the furnitur
~ and cutting to pieces large portrait of Bolt
ar. In half an hour, thousands OF vagabon
= were parading the streets wi h all kinds
no weapons; every house was instantly closed;
the foreigners who had flags, unfurled them t
or projections; none but those who happened
OF, be out were in the streets; every few minut
Us the harsh challenge, quen OlUd, or the rush
cavalry broke on the ear; night soon closed
on darkness, and death-like Stiffness prevail
ons during the night
lid On the morning of the 25th, the citize
crept cautiously ou:. About noon the de
were inferred without ceremony. At o
l. o'clock the members were escorted to the h
per and compelled by force to pass several resol
tions. A bdndo was proclaimed, requesting
citizens to resume their business, with an
of surance of protection.
On the 26th, the members met again,
ans president and his guards being III the hall VI
tied the members, while several resolutions w,
600 PASSED generating the executive from all CT
OOO sure and general amnesty proclaimed.
In the meantime, the first days butchery
Ooo spreading to the interior, the question is ash
in an under tone, will Gen. Paez come?
ooo eyes are now turned towards the plains.
'UoO the g-eat chief comes with 1000 or 5000 Lit
ing aros and the soldiers have courage enough
s to face their swift nOrSeSand sharp lance, we 81
have some bloody work among us. The PI
:, ident is now raising 900 horsemen. A
Tue days must determine. Should another OPP
ifs tunity offer, will advise you of what is
bred come.
.bt,, P. San embargo has just been laid
- vessels not cleared.
MIL The Philadelphia North American has
let letter, dated Puerto Cabella, Feb. 9Th, conf
atory of this dreadful cmcute. which adds:
,..a All eyes and hopes rest upon Gen. Jose
'"er tonia Paez, for the re-establishment of OF
DC to and the constitution. which has been most {
rageously violated by the enemies of
nber and enlightened government. There has b
hole en- embargo for several days past upon all '
"o.' sells, both at this port and at Laguayra, but
laOl- the strenuous exertions of Mr.. Shields, U
lver Consol, the obnoxious decree was removed
Upwards of forty distinguished citizens of
accas embarked from Laguayra on the lst II
MIRO. for Caracoa. A boat which had been sent f
here to Laguayra, with dispatches. retur