The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-27
hIoHLY IMPORTANT
FROM THE
REPUBLIC OF VENEZ UELA,
TERRIBLE MASSACRE OF MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS-
"A anticipated Revolution.

telligence from Venezuela. 1t reached us by |
last nights mail from the south.
According TO our dispatches, the schooner |
Susan Ludwig, Captain Doty, arrived at Nor
folk on the oath inst, from Laguayra, whence
she sailed on the LIST inst.
She was chartered to bring dispatches to the
government at Washington and our attentive |
correspondent took advantage of the cream
stance, to forward letters to the Neav YORK
Herald.
We learn that Captain Doty proceeded irflme-' !
diately to Washington with the dispatches.
There have been some terrible scenes enacted
at Caracas. The Venezuelan Congress met on
the oath ult, was overwhelmed by the populace,
on, it is said, by the President, and several OF
the members horribly massacred 1t was ex-
pected that a revolution would Immediately
break out throughout the republic.
The greatest excitement prevailed when the
Susan Ludwig sailed.
We have received several accounts of the
| scenes, one of which we annex. Another, writ
ten by member of the Congress, who was an
eye witness to the whole affair, will be given in
| to morrow's Herald.
SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
CARACAS, Jan. n, 1846.
Il herewith SEM you u nasty SKETCH OF TIC pre-
sent state of this city
About one year ago, Gen. Monargas was placed
in the Presidential chair by the party called Oil
| garquis; the choice was a forlorn hope at the
time, as he was the only person to oppose the
candidate Of the liberal party. On the arrival of
the President elect at La Guaira, Gen. Paez met
him on terms offriendship, (although many years
of disgusto had existed between them) and after
cordial embrace, they came up to Caracas
| Paez used bis influence and advice to form the
cabinet, with some of our best citizens. The
government started quietly, and confidence and
nope animated the public. A few short weeks
put an end to our expectations; several of the
cabinet retired in disgust, and the President
kept the breach widening, by the appointment
of number of offenders against the former-gov-
eminent. Many influential men, and, among
them Gen. Flores, end avored to heal the breach.
Meetings were held !; remonstrances and threats
from the press poured forth in volumes finally,
it was determined to mpeach the President be-
| fore the Congress about 10 meet. ::
| In the meantime the President dsarmed the
melitia actiro, and placed arms In the hands OF
the meiitia reserpa, known to be most favorable
to the liberal party all the old liberals were an
vited to return, and many were placed In olhce,
some not being entitled to citizenship Com
merce became crippled, aud confidence destroy
| ed: the government hobbled with an empty
treasury large bodies of troops were preparing,
| near Caracas; and, on the oath of this month,
whom there were scarcely members enough to
form quorum in the House of Representatives,
there were 1000 troops in and near the city
On the opening of Congress, serious disorder
commenced between several members; high
words drew great crowd daggers were
drawn, and, it is said, member from the city
Hon. Hemeregido Garcia-stsb bed a member
from Maracaibo. Hon. Antonio. Saas. The
| scene which ensued was terrific; those that
could, fed and when the alarm reached the
street, the citizens fled in terror. A body of sol
diers rushed in front of the hall, firing several
vollies Unfortunately into the windows. Sc
veral members reached the door, and were cut
down like dogs The wounded member, bleed
ing, was not recognized by the soldiers; they
fell on hm-his lett cheek and ear were shot
cut s 5das s hs s166 cav
bly, mansied with bayOnets. The Hon. Julian
Garcia, OF Caracas, was shot through the head
the ball entering one ear and passing out at the
otheF-all the fingers on the left hand cut off,
and sixteen wounds in other parts of the body =
The Hon. Juan Garcia had sword run through
his body, and fell dead. Col. Smith was badly
wounded with bayonet-several others killed,
and some wounded. Those who could not es-
cape in front, wrenched off the iron bars of a
back window, and, by means of a settee, made a
bridge to the top of wall, where few poles
were found and with these they escaped over
several walls, torn and 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 lndlspensables; some few shared
better fate. The crowd rushed into the
hall, destroying the furniture, and cutting
to pieces a large portrait of Bolivar.
In half an hour, thousands of vagabonds were
paradlng the streets with all kinds of weapons;
every house was instantly closed; all the foreign
ers who had flags, unfured them for protection;
none but those who happened to be out were in
the streets; every few minutes the harsh abal-
lenge, quen uira, or the rush of cavalry broke on
the ear; night soon closed in darkness, and a
desthllkc stiffness prevailed during the night.
On the morning of the 25th, the citizens crept
cautiously out. About noon the dead were inter-
.dwithout ceremony. At one o'clock the snem-
bers were escorted to the hail and compelled per
force to pass several resolutions A 6anSO was
proclaimed, requesting the citizens to resume
their business, with an assurance of protection.
On the 10th, the members met again, the Pre-
sident and his guards being IN the hall with the
members, while several resolutions were passed
exoneratlng the executive from all censure and
| general amnesty proclaimed.
In the mean time, the first days butchery is
spreading to the interior, and the question IS
asked In an under tone, will Gen PaeZ Gomez All
eyes are now towards the plains. II the great
chief comes with two or three thousand Lanaros
and the soldiers have courage enough to face
their swift horses and sharp lance, we shall have
some bloody work among US. The President Is
now raising 1000 horsemen. few days must
determine. Should another opportunity offer, |
will advise you OF what Is to come
Z. San embargo has just been laid on vcs-
sells not cleared.
Thcfellowing, taken from one of our exchange
papers received yesterday, anticipated the whole
difficulty
We have dates from Caracas the seat Of government
OF Venezuela, to Janusry % Congress has assembled
at the capitol but had net organized in consequences
not being able to form quorum. An organisation 1t
supposed however would be effected, few days after
the above date The present session IL predicted will
prove very stormy one the articles of Impeachment
against the President which introduced last session.
will be brought up again. and should they pass Of which
there probability tho legislature will ba broken up
BY the mnions Of the executive, and sangunsry COL
ision Will take place between them and the republicans
Business at Lagusyra was very dull the crop OF
coffee was coming In very tlow and prices ruled high