The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-11
Our Caracas COrre

CARACAS, August u, 1852.
Successful Negotiation of a Loan By the Government
-Cnmorant Ciaimants-Fait4re of the Coffee
Crop, and Bad State of the Money Market
Claims of The British orcrnmcnt-I,demnity
Claimed by Mr. Steele, The American Charge for
american Citiccms-1Ae Flores Expedition
For some time past, have noticed the absence
ofany correspondence from this capital, and there
fore concluded 20 wrto and inform you of the doings
the piebald gentry of this republic.
The authorities have juSt succeeded in obtaining
a loan of half a million from the private banks of
this city, which, for whilo will keep the machinery
of this government in motion, but after this amount
shall have been expended, the treasury will be in
depiorable condition, unless they can obtain re-
newa of it. The facti is, that there are here pack
or cormorants, eager to take every advantage,
and who are sucking the very hearts blood of the
republic The custom houses of Laguayra, Puerto
Cabeno, and Apgostura, are constantly besieged by
them, for the purpose Of obtaining the payment Of
the orders they hold against them, and which are,
IL fact, mortgages on the aceruing duties So noto
rious has this become, and unscrupulous are the
means rcsorted to to obtain their personal ends,
that they are known and designated by tho name of
the "forty thieves From what is stated above
you can well imagine the fnau ,al condition of this
country. Ihe failuro of the coffee crop last year
was serious blow, and Notwithstanding prices were
high, the imports greatly exceeded the exports,
and consequently drain Of tho precious
metals is now going on, which has produced
greater stripgeney IN money matters than has
occurred here for many years past In addition 20
all this. the English government sill continue TO
press the payment OF instanents coming due for
indemnity for the losses occasoned to British sub
jects on account of the Law Espero" F."
The American Charge, Mr. Steele, has been press
ing for the liquidation Of claims due to American
citizens, with but poor The principal impc
lin bis way is, the claim he urges Tor indemnify
tor those slayers cap;ored by American crnisers
during the Columbian revolutionary strugglo-tbeir
names were the Geftrudia, La Medea, and San Jose
They were Portuguese vessels, and were cnptured by
cruisers sailing under letters Of maraue granted by
the Banda ORIENTAL. Il is alleged by the Venezue-
lean government that the capture Of these vessels
was an act Of piracy, as the United States at
the time at peace with Portugal, and that the
American commanders violated tue laws Of neutra-
ty. and par consequence guilty of high crime,
and thereby lost thcir right 10 cal the profession
Of the government The claim made by iir Steele
or account of those saverg possesses tho opinion
Of all Americans here, no legality and is outrage
which II known TO he government al Washington,
would not be permitted,
The aooUnt Of tho failure Of the Flores expedition
published in the HERALD Of the 18th OF August, was
received with much rejoicing here, and any further
attempt TO carry out mis- lnt- nionS is considered
fuitllss. JOSE