The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27

merClfufly beaten. IheSo animals are so
small that an ordinary sized person has
to double up his legs like .ack-kn:fe, to
keep them from trailing the ground after
he is mounted. We also meet on the road
carts drawn by mules. These
are also loaded with the productions of the
country, taken to Laguyra for shipment.
and then return laden with goods from the
United States and Europe. Here we are
at last, at the stopping place near the top
of the mountains, having passed some
places that, in case of the slightest acct
dent, would have precipitated us hundreds
of feet down perpendicular precipices.
Many angles on the road being turned on
the keen run, it was sufficient to make the
hair stand on end. COL Mobiles, who is an
old mountaineer of considerable celebrity,
that it was the most frightful
ron.e he had ever witnessed for road.
Having changed horses, we again COM
mence the ascent, and are soon at the top
of the mountain. The drivers of these
coaches are in most instances Italians, and
encourage the horses by peculiar yelp,
with which and the use of long "per-
suader," they cause the animals to descend
the mountain at a break-neck speed. Dur
ing the descent We saw several immense
specimens of the cactus, many of which
here attain height of from twenty to
thirty feet. Many beautiful cactus trees
are also seen, which bear a fruit that has
quite delicate flavor. The uncommon
size of the aloe created considerable won
der, many of the leaves being eight or ten
feet in length and two or three feet wide,
in the centre of which grows the tree to the
astonishing height of from twenty-five to
thirty-five feet. In England, with all pos
sible care, they have not been able to pro-
duce stalk exceeding five or six feet.
The road is perfect succession of banana.
palm, cocoa, orange and mango planta-
tons. On arriving at the entrance to the
city OF Caracas, we are stopped by the
black guard stationed here for the purpose.
of examining our passports. This sable
specimen upon receiving them, examined
them upside down, being unable to read,
yet he appeared to scrutinize them atten-
lively to see if the wise was correct. Hav-
ing arrived in the city of Caracas, we are
met by Col. Antonio del Ollo, despatched
by General HagadOrn to meet us and con-
duct us to the Hotel Caracas, where we
were warmly welcomed by the General
himself, and al>O our excellent American
Minister, Judge Culver All these honors
Colonel MOBILES and myself bear with the
modesty pc u|iar to Minnesotians.
After our chocolate and cigarettes we
retire to our beds, which are simply the
floor covered with mattresses over which
is spread two sheets, between which the
traveller is supposed to enjoy luxurious
nights rest
This morning we were invited by Gen.
HagadOrn, who is Chief of Ordnance in
Venezuela, to visit the artillery barracks
situated in the Plaza, This gentleman I
find mentioned in the New York Times,
as having been selected to receive Gen.
Paez during his visit to New York while
in exile-a compliment which the old
gentleman has never forgotten. The can
non placed in the barracks were in excel
lent condition, and the regularity and order
which pervaded the whole establishment
betokened the command Of United States
veteran and strict disciplinarian. Through
his untiring energy, he has completely rev.
Olutionized this branch of the service and,
with the very limited means at his COM
mand, it is truly astonishing to witness the
perfection it has already attained. The
country, in its present revolutionary diff
culties, is trnly fortunate in Sc curing the
services of so competent and efficient an
officer. In the evening, the letters of in
fN 1nGv
cred by Col. Mobiles. We found him to be
a hale, hearty and venerable old gentle
man, of seventy years and over. His re-
ception WAS warm and cordial, and he re-
marked: MY house must olrays be open
to you, Frequently, ecihzoM inUitation."
February 2.-This morning a visit was
made to Mr. Rogas, the Secretary of State,
to whom Col. Mobiles delivered some let
tiers, and also one to his estiInable lady,
who is truly the presiding genius of this
country. Here, also, the reception was
tlattering, and it was particularly crafty
ing to be able to converse with them in
English, which language they speak with
great proficiency Col. Mobiles is fast ac-
curing the Spanish language, which, in
his younger years, he spoke quite fiuently.
There is one popularity amongst the
Spaniards, which is quite the contrary with
the French portion of our population. No
matter how egregious blunder may be
committed in attempting to speak the
language, they will never make sport of
person and even the ladies will find some
delicate means of correcting the mistake,
which places one completely at his ease.
The climate here is truly delightful.
Some Encyclopedias and other works, writ
ten years ago, represent it as quite un-
healthy. must respectfully but emphat-
ically differ with these authors, and will
defy any one to find in any country more
even, wholesome and salubrious tempera-
ture than in the beautiful mountains of
Venezuela.
l must now close, as the mail is about
starting, and as it leaves but twice month
+ the States, it will not do to miss it.
In my next Twill describe to you the man
ners, customs, dress and amusements of
the people, and also the ruins, of which
there are innumerable specimens left from
the awful earthquake of 1872 There is
such field for writing that l am at a loss
where to begin.
In few days we leave for a short trip
up the Oronoco to visit some haciendas
offered US to experiment on in the cultiva-
e krsa