New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-10
CIUpAp BOLiY Ak.
Nerd,y afternoon. Jure Z, ISIS. :

!. was ny intention 70 hsye started II iu1ch
for Ports Lcs Tstls 90 Sturdy afternoon, bat, s,
the lsst momest, vss informed there was 20 room
for our torses which compelled our CT npsuy =
engage a ps.:see IN the schooner -, which, We
were s.Iu1ed, would positively start OF Monday, s.
Ca. N.
1hs Bishop q Bolivar aud several ladies' hsd also
sDesged pssssre. AID hsd therefore bn, little
dOub. but hat we would be enabled 70 b-giu oar
journey a. the appointed tine. Ye.terdsy after
coon, however. was Informed thai the sailors had
been impressed for soldiers, as Gen. Baca was
across the river at Solidsd with six hundred men:
and that if the war was ended on Monday we would
probably be enabled 70 start some time On tuesday.
Asif 70 add 20 the annoy ance which this announce
neut caused me, the steamer OrinOco returned
without beng able to resch Demerara, on account
of the miserable condition of her boilers, aud the
letters sent TO you, containing important political
news. Will 90 with the brig Carl Heinrich. which
sails direct 10 New-lork on Tuesday next. l have
been assured however, that 10 will not make over
eight days difference in time, the Demerara mail
il always an uncertain means OF communicating
with New-York.
Gen. Baca, conmandan. Of the military ferces of
the Province Of Barcelona, arrived at Solldad on
Saturday afternoon with about SIX hundred men,
and is endeay0ring in every possible manner 10 raise
Ulpfr ,b!ulfIt Ar ht - % Nhtm PNAs't". AAi'HN "
Gen. Ruiz nov confined in prison IN Bolivar, and
they were both exes in Trinidad, his Intention ul-
dCubteoly is 10 make a demonstration ia his iavCr'
Cen Baca cent word to the Governor, Sr. John
Del Costa, that be did not intend any violence, but
would await orders from Caracas. No reuance,
however was placed on his word aud every effort
wss msde IN this city to raise formidable resistance.
Cannon were placed before the PRISON, and a force
of about 500 men were collected Having been
invited to dine with the Governor on Sunday after
noon. proceeded 10 his residence at o'clock, and
found him walking on the root looking toward Sol
idad
sr. John De La Costa is unde,6tedly one of The
most remarkable men in Venezuela and if / am
not much mistaken, will hereafter exercise great
control over the distinies of his country. lie was
educated in Baltimore, and has travelled throughout
the United States and Asia He is tall. Of a com
mandIng appearance, with physiognomy showing
great hrnness and decision Of purpose. lie
conyeIsed with much feeling upon the condl-
ton of his unhappy country but was re-
solved TO defend the city at all hazards.
lie stated that the great motive OF the soidiers
was pluDder, and, as 1t might be impossible to de-
end the property OF the fore gners residing III Boil
var, he trusted they would join in defending
the lives and property of the citizens II he
could count on the twenty Americans engaged
in building the ron steamboat he would feel
perfectly secure. ! did not hesitate 10 assure hun
That although some would stand alooi, there were
others upon whom he could place reliance, aud taat
myself and friends would engage to assist IN de-
Tending bis residence, as 1t would undoubtedly be
the first attacked
The foreign merchants consisting mostly of Ger
mans aud Italians have already signed declara-
tion approving of the cenrse Of the Government,
and pedgng themselves to assist in its defense.
Early on Monday morning was aroused by the
fife ard drum, as the signal for citizens to arm
thcmselyes; but as tbs of ate has been quite fre.
qIent it created alarm. On inquiry, | found
that the steamer OTinOco which had gone over TO
SOdad 10 be repaired had returned in great haste,
leaving her anchor and chain behind, for fear Of
being seized by Gen. Baca in order TO convey his
forces across the river.
TIE chef engineer Of the Oriroco, an intelligent
half-breed, called On Gen. Baca on Sunday after
nooD, and as they were old friends, the General
conyersed iree with him upon the present difficulty.
He much incensed at the conduct of tue
foreigners in taking part with the affairs of Govern
ment, which wis manie,ty none OF their con ,ern.
Henceforth, sad he, " ! cH respect aag, but
uhen I take BOtirar City all must Sngcr alike the
" consequences Of The siege hoieerer terriJto.'
Baca is bafbreed, with straight black hair,
dark complexion about six feet in hight and pos
stsses great muscular development. His face is
iunowed with wrinkles, and when cOnyersIng he
shows fine row OF teeth He is generally con-
sidered 10 be exceedingly cruel, and is stated
10 have killed over fifty men with his own
hduu-. III II therefore btltNtu lHdl III ne euotiu
succeed IN taking the city, the slaughter of the
unfortunate inhabitants viii be iodscrimnate.
Many persons place but little confidence III tue
bravery of the soldiers engaged 10 defend Bolivar
and believe that If from Oner cause at least from
habit, they will run after the fret discharge thus
leaving the defense of the city prlDci paly to the
civilians and foreigners.
Receiving to observe the state of affairs at
Soidad in person, and if possible ascer-
tain whether there was really any foundation for
the various reports, crossed over about o'clock
The village was unusually quiet, and walked some
distance toward the plaza, " ben met three negroes
dressed in striped pantaO0ns, in tstters at the ends
of the legs, panama hat with red band check
shirt and belt containing long knife and pistol
They were without shoes, and We're fierce aud de-
graded in appearance. Numbers of other soldiers
also to be found lounglng around the corner
eroegeries, engaged in drinking aud qlarreling
Horses belonging to the cavalry were to be seen
tied 10 the doors of private houses, as the sodiery
were b-lleted on the inhabitants; and occasionally
would meet Il number Of cavalry officers On foot,
with long swords and red sasbes, and altogether
much better clothed than the common soldiers.
They were all either negroes. Indians or half
breeds, and, from their appearance, bad passed
their lives in sceDes of violence aud cruelty.
On returning, found the city in a considerable
state of excitement; the subject of the invasion be-
iug freely discussed and the German who boards our
party borrowed II double barreled gun with which
10 defend himself, resolving, as he said no. 70 per-
mt Gen. Blca 10 take his wife" II WAS also
stated that Baca constantly receiving reinforce
ments, and had dispatched the greater part of his
force distance down the river in order to be
enabled 70 cross without beng m0lested, while
with the few who r mained az Soldad he would el
gage the soldiers in front. The evening, however,
- orI a.