Washington telegraph., 1848-03-29
INTERESTING FROM VENEZUELA.


INTERESTING FROM VENEZUELA.
A few days since we published iele.
graphic despatch in relation to u scene
which recently occurred in Venezuela
Several members OF Congress were shot
in the Legislative Hall. Its rather dtli.
cult TO determine what amount of guilt
President Monafgas has incurred The
party opposed 10 him consider him an ex.
lremely bad man, while his own supporters.
who appear TO be in the majority. think
that the blood which has been shed was
necessary 10 the salvation Of tho country.
Al last accounts, Gen. Paez had taken the
field against Monafgas, and in two engage.
menls proved lTiumphanl-eapluring sev.
eral towns. We subjoin two different
accounts OF the scenes in the city Of Cara.
cas-, contained in letters published in the
New York Herald:
Gen. Monargas was elected President
Of Venezuela year ago, ani his cabinet
was formed Of some Of the besl citizens Of
the republic. but in few weeks they re-
Tired in disgust, and their places were iilled
by offenders against the iornet government.
Many influential men, and among them
Gen, Flores, enieayored 10 heal the breach.
Meetings were held; "Reminiscences aud
threats from the press poured forth in vol.
umes; finally il was determined 10 impeaeL
the President before the Congress about 10
meet.
In the meantime the pfesiden, disarmed
the meiiiid deiiro, and placed arms in the
hands Of the moluid rsarrl, known 10 be
the most favorable 10 the liberal party; all
the old liberals were invited 10 return. aud
many were placed in office, sOme not being
entitled 10 citizenship Commerce became
crippled, and confidence destroyed; the
Government, hobbled on with an empty
treasury; large bodies Of troops were pre-
pairing near Caracas; and, ON the 2iih Of
this month, when there were scarcely
members enough 10 form a quorum in the
House oi Representatives, there were 1000
troops in and near the city. Ga the OPEN
ing oi Congress, serious disorder com.
menced between several members; high
words drew great crowd; daggers were
drawn. and, il is said, a member from the
city, Hon. llemeregldo Gancia, stabbed a
member from Maracabo, Hon. Antonio
Salas. The scene which ensucd was ter.
ri6c; those that could, fled; and when the
/ alaru, raarhad Tho straag tha .ftt,.na uaA
in terror. A body of soldiers rushed in
front of the hall, firing several vollrys indis.
criminalely into the windows. Several
members reached the door aud were cut
down like dogs. The wounded member,
bleeding, was not recognized by the soldiers:
they tell on him; bis left check and ear
were shot away, a severe cut over the
head, and bis head nearly severed from his
body. and his body terribly mangcd with
bayoneis. The Hon. Julian Garcia, OF
Caracas, was shot through the head-lhe
ball entering one ear and passed out at the
olher-all the fingers on the let, hand cut
of, and sixteen wounds In other parts oi
the body. The Hon. Juan Garcia had a
sword run through his body, aud tell dead,
Col. Smith was badly wounded with a
bayonet-seyeral others killed, and some
wounded. Those who could not escape ia
front wrcnched of the iron bars OF bacI,
window, and, by means of sellee, made a
bridge 10 the top Of wall, where n lew
poles were found; and with these they es.
capped over several walls, torn aud bruised.
The whole square was soon surrounded by
the troops, and the honorable members
were made prisoners-some with scarcely
clothes on-some without hats. boots, or
indispcnsables; some few shared better
fate. The crowd rushed into the hall, de.
stroying the furniture and cutting 10 pieces
II large portrait OF Bolivar. In halt an
hour thousands of yagabonjs were parad.
ing the streets with all kinds OF weapons
every house was instantly closed all the
foreigners who had flags unlurled them iol
protection; none but those who happened
10 be out were in the streets; every lev
minutes the harsh challenge, qlen uire, ol
the rush Of cavalry broke on the ear; nigh
soon closed in darkness, and doalh.IkC
stiffness prevailed during the night.
On the morning of the 25lh, the citizeni
crept cautiously out. About noon the deaC
were inferred without ceremony. At one
o'clock the members were escorted to the
; ball and compelled per force to pass sevcra
resolutions. A bdndo was proclaimed, re
questing the citizens 10 resume their bust
ness, with an assurance of protection.
On the 26ih the members me, again, th,
President and his guards being in the hal
with the members, while several resou
lions were passed eSoneratng the Execu
: tive from all consure, and general amncsI,
= proclaimed.
In the meantime, the first days buIehcrl