The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-28
fest what the criminal intention of the executive
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.

message of the President. But as the danger at
every moment seemed to be greater, and threats
had been used to induce the members to hear the
communicate On to be made by the minister, IN
derogation Of the fundamental rights. and prlvi-
leges of the Chamber, II was proposed by one OF
the deputies and agreed to Immediately, that
while the Secretary of State should remain on
the spot, enquiries should be made OF the
other branches of the Executive Tor information
as to what measures had been adopted tor the
public security, which ought, under such cir
cumstances, to be taken, and which had already
been demanded to be taken, SC.
AT this moment It was easy to see that some
ness of the face Of the Secretary of State, who
was thus forced to remain in the room without
having been able to utter word
ASSASSINATION OF THE CONGRESS
The message of the President was now read.
This solemn document, from the chief Of the
admin strarion, offered to Congress greater Sc
curites tor the free exercise of its functions AT
this moment, while all remained Gained, and
each one seemed as il possessed, for himself, OF
apledge OF personal security-scarcely had the
reading of the message been COMPLETED, when
several bodies OF the militia OF reserve began to
present themselves at the doors of the house
where the session was holding, and mmedi-
atcly fired upon small guard Of ten or twelve
young men of distinguished families, who were
keeping guard at the entrance OF the place. COL
Smith was wounded, and one of the young men
killed by this fire.. yet, Notwithstanding, they
succeeded In fastening the door.
1t is to be remarked here, that in this bloody
scene there was not IN the chamber, thus dellv-
ed up to be assassinated, single member pre-
sent of those who We're avOwed ministerial MEM
bers. The House OF Sessions was completely IN
vaded by the troops at the disposition OF the 60
vernment and the whole interior was taken pos
session of, and their cruelty was carried to such
a pitch as even TO fire upon the spectators,
who were on the root Many persons, the
major part of them, however, of youthful
age, took refuge within the room OF the sessions
and during all this time, the greatest GOODNESS
| and serenity were manifested by the members.
who then, at that instant, raised shout OF
+" Hurra for the constitution. his at ms last
hour, when each one saw death TO be inevitable
They called for "order' at different times, IN
the midst of the confusion, but the strangers
present among them, rendered It Impossible 10
maintain order. Some individuals, two OF
| whom know, bearing the character OF emissa-
| ries from the President, went about, protesting
| and proffering complete security and safety for
those who would be willing to withdraw. Those,
| however, who trusted to this assurance, when
| out of doors, met with insult and treachery,
! instead of protection Many, however, were
| able to escape from The numerous crowd OF assas-
Sins armed by the government, and thlrstlng Tor
| human blood.
On this mournful day, which indignant his
tory will relate with horror, died the following
| persons The Hon. Jose Antonio Salas, deputy
| from Maracaibo Joan Garcia aud Francisco
| Argote, deputies from Caracas the Hon. Santos
| Michelena was wounded by lance. Besides
these, many others received many bru SEES, with
out counting persons who did not belong to the
| Legislative body, who were killed.
! In this scene of boodshed the President of
the Republic, showed himself triumphing in the
| scene. He was posted in the small square OF the
| building in place Of security, and caused those
| deputies who duplicated for their lives. to be
| conducted to the government mansion instead
of permitting them TO withdraw 60 their own
homes.
| THE ENGLISH EMBASSY.
| man of fatal influence in the misfor,unes OF
our country, appeared az the end OF these scenes
| above described. 1t was Colonel Wilson, who
went arm in arm with one of the assassns, Ge-
neral Diego O'Hara. Al the conspirators ,cere
continually gong IN and coming out at hs house OF
the British Embassy, viz: the Generals Monagas,
O'Hara, and Santiago Marine Colonies Lugo
most wicked of them all, namely, DR.. Thomas
Joseph Sanabrla, fierce and treacherous man,
and an lmpacable enemy of his county Colo
mel Wilson received them all with great famlli-
arity with some of them he held secret confer
ences, which doubtless could not have been con-
terences upon harmless subjects. Great noto-
riety mark ed out this conduct OF man migrate
full for the Inequalities he has received and one
oil those who has the chief hand III the mlstor-
tunes OF our country.
A DECREE OF TRIUMPH
The perfidious and Infamous admin stration
obtained Immediately the means of doing honor
TO ITS crimes, having reconstructed the Congress
by force, leaving to the members no other re-
source but either to verify their powers, or be-
come victims, etogether with the whole city,
Surrounded with troops and bayonets on all
sides, they were obliged either TO die or help TO
carry out the criminal intentions of the admins
trauon Under these constralnts, they passed a
decree OF indemnity and indulgence for all the
crimes OF the conspiracy. By this same decree,
the President is authorized to raise army OF
0,000 men, also 70 contract Tor loan of mil
lion OF dollars; and within the next ninety days,
to arrest individuals tor conspiracy, In order
thereby to enable the government to escape The
Indignation of those generous souls who, being
friends OF their country and It's laws, would 9TH
erwise have risen up to punish crime and
" ndi piefU RI md
barbarity.
THE GOVERNMENT OF FORCE
Congress is now a prey to the most uncontrol-
led violence, it's acts are consequently invalid |
and of no obligation. Even those members |
who have taken refuge in the legations of France
and of the United States, have been threatened |
II they do not appear TO form quorum In the |
sessions. There is no free communication with I,
any place, and Caracas IS, at this day, absolute
ly subjected to brutal force With equal viola |
ton OF the constitution and of treaties, the ports
have been closed as well to foreign as to national
vessels
The CONSERVATION throughout the capital has
been profound and immense. All the families
OF any distinction, and even those of middle
rank, wish TO leave the territory, and escape
from the horrors of the present administration
Never, no never, has any people ever been wit |
ness OF so much cruelty aud tyranny.
Some deputies, neverthe; ess, have preferred
running every risk rather than tn agree to give |
the color Of the law TO the scandalous deeds |
and to the atrocities of General Monegas.
The Senate and Chamber Of Representatives OF the
Republic Of Venezuela Ia Congress assembled having
considered the message Of the Executive power la
which, After making representation Of tbs actual state
of the Republic he solios extraordinary authority for
the object OF preserving peace snd public order
The President executive n authorised
Art l To call into service as many as 10000 mes OF
the national militia
Art Q. To negotiate, by way Of loan the of one
million Of dollars provided the ordinary revenue should
not bs sufficient TO cover the expenses.
Art 10 employ the powers given by section g. arti.
ole 49, the constitution during tho space OF 30 days.
and
Art 4 To grant general pardon amnesty of all.
political sots OF offences commteS posterior to ths
passing OF the contribution OF 1870 and such others both
general and particular, which may enter without the
time Of the said 90 days