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

becomes perceptible. The telegraph is now
at work conveying the intelligence of our
approach to Caracas. The British flag is
run up; and after passing some thirty
craft, of all nations anchored in the road
stead, we drop anchor in front of the Gus
tom House. Soon boat with the Vene-
zulian colors is seen pushing through the
surf, manned by four athletic natives.
This is the oisite, containing the Com
mandant, Clerk and Interpreter, to exam
inc the ships papers.
Shortly after, Col. MOBILES and myself
were introduced to this important func-
tionary, by Mr.. Syers, who had represent
ed to him our business; after which we
sat down to lunch, prepared expressly for
the occasion.
This is the first time have ever had Oc-
casion to eat and hob mob with darkey
the secretary of the commentaries being
as black specimen of the African species
as l have ever seen. Business over, we
were invited by the commandment to ac-
company him on shore in his barge, an
honor conferred on few, which we never
theless accepted with becoming condescen-
sion On arriving at his quarters, wine
was produced, and the health of Colonel
Mobiles ct 81 Secretare was drank. He
then telegraphed, unbeknown to Us, the
arrival of COL Mobiles to General Haga-
dorm, Inspector General of artillery in
Caracas, and also the precise time We
were to leave. He then accompanied us
to MIR. Wampole, our American consu,
whose attention and kindness we hop Q
81, I'll To ha oh1o tn to fHhorIn
is one feature about us embarking from the
lighters which strikes the stranger as
rather ludicrous. On their approach to
the shore, natives rush through the surf to
the boat, and Selling the passengers, bear
them in their arms to the shore. The cos
tune of these amphibous animals is similar
to that of the Georgian chivalry, simply
without the shirt, collar or spurs,' The
general costume of the poorer class con-
sists in loose pair of white pants reach
ing to the knee, and shirt, which they
allow to hang loose outside the pants. The
females rejoice in a gown fastened at the
waist and trailing the ground their
breastwOrks y are generally exposed, or
negligently covered with some light mate
rial, while their long glossy black hair is
either 'done up" in ball, or allowed to
hang in long braids down their backs.
They are usually shod with sandals of the
simplest description. This description is
only intended for Laguyra, and l under
stand the costume is different in Caracas
and in the interior. The peculiar richness
and taste displayed in the dress of the
Creole and spanish ladies is too well known
to need description, as also the jaunty and
neglige air given them by the cloudy lace
veil fastened in their luxuriant black hair
by a golden pin, Or the bewitching tiutter
of the indispensable fan, while nothing es-
capes their piercing black eyes.
The city of Laguyra is the principal
commercial seaport of Venezuela, and is
beautifully situated at the foot of the
mountain, Immediately on the sea coast.
The high peaks, which apparently hang
over the city, are dotted with haciendas,
where it hardly seems possible that one
could obtain foothold. Overlooking the
city is diminutive fort, with two pieces
of ordnance Here is the yellow signal
flag, signalling the near approach of any
vessel Between this and the city is a
thick growth of cactus, of about eight or
ten feet high, and perfectly straight, hav-
ing the appearance of immense green posts
driven into the ground In the front of
the city is the fort built entirely Of stone,
out of whose embrasures prOtrude six 10
pound cannon for the protection of the
city, around which the native sentinels
pace with the careless Indifference of men
impressed by force of circumstances into a
service entirely Gi>tastefull to their nature.
In the centre OF The city is the Plaza, con-
tanning q fountain surrounded by cocoa
nut, palm aid banana trees. Here, also,
is the city market, which exhales an odor
peculiarly gratifying to the olfactories of Il
foreigner. Wishing to improve the ap-
pearance Of my boots, I here took occasion
to have them polished by diminutive ma
tive in the costume of "Power's Greek
Slave" and instead OF moistening the
backing, as is the custom of our imps in
the North, the fresh juice OF an orange is
used.
The Posada at which we remained over
night is q low story domicil, built of mud
cemented over and rooted with tiles, and
like all tropical buildings person is al
most out of door when he is housed. In
the centre of the building is a court, gen
orally filed with choice tropical plants,
and through the main entrance traveller
or citizen sides his mule and dismOunts,
either in front or in his own room. The
floors are generally paved with wide brick.
Our baggage having been taken to the
Custom House, we were sent for to open
them for inspection, which, thanks to our
friends was merely nominal. This impor-
tant operation was conducted by burly
negro who delighted in the important Of
fee of Corporal of the Custom House.
Every thing being in readiness for our
departure, we mounted the coach and
started in company with two other
vehicles containing distinguished
commissioner from MaracaibO with
proposals of peace to General Paez. The
first that attracted our attention on leaving
Laguyra was the ruins of the town of Mai
quetia, place entirely destroyed by the
earthquake of 1912. 1t contained pop
ulation of three thousand, most of whom
were buried in the ruins.
Now We commence the precipitous as
cent of the mountain. The coaches are
drawn by three horses abreast, SO that
wherever the animals can pass the coach
will q nIn