The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-07
CURACOA.
Drought In the Isiand-AnsIrs In venezueIa--
Preparations for New Revolutions.


Preparations for New Revolutions.
CURACAO, w. l., June Is, 1869.
The general cry here Ia for water. From this rock
In the midst OF the sea we may look out and say
with the ancient Mariner" ''Water. water every
where, and not a drop to drink" Our last rainy
season set in fairly last October We had two good
showers on the 18th and 2lst OF that month; but
after that Jupiter Pluvlus stopped his favors and
water Is now az dear luxury as any In market.
The sheep and goats all dying on, there is not
blade OF grass upon the island. Nor can we hope
FOR better state OF things till the next rainy season
sets in IN October. There may indeed be a few
slight showers this month aud next. Some OF our
native wiseacres however are predicting copious
rains 10 take place very soon, when little attention
to the laws OF the tropical would show such
hopes TO be az groundless were the fears or a
terrible earthquake fixed for certain day past and
prognosticated by the Coolest nhabiia ntsu of this
island.
On the main they are faring but little better There
has, indeed, been some rain In the east but COM
plants OF drought still reach from Coro and Mara
caibo. Politically, Venezuela is quiet. Just at this
moment there Is no revolution in ruil blast ana those
III power are issuing circulars containing decidedly
rOseate pictures OF the present "menniumr assuT-
ing that now at last every man can sit under his
own vine and ig tree with none TO make finn afraid
In point OF Iact however the prospect Is not quite 80
bright During the past taree or four months large
tnls island from Europe and the States. Their ulti-
mate destination is generally the main. This looks
as II somebody Is making great preparations for
hgnL george sutherland, the ex-uutOcrat of Mara
calD0 VINO IS still here, Is known to be gathering his
trends and followers about him., preparatory to re-
assuming The purple Venancia Pulgar, the pre-
sent occupant OF the throne vi MaracaibO carrying
On things with high hand. Suheriand's reign was
certainly bad enough, but Puigar robb ng and
| plundering with an audacity the former never
thought OF. HIS attacks on foreigners are shameless
| Sutherland, indeed used to levy contributions on
IN
House receipts, so that in many cases foreigners
found II to their advantage to advance MIN money.
| But Pulgar some time since finding his soldiers IN
| want Of pay, demanded or the foreign merchants
some $4,000, assuring them II tle money were not
| forthcoming immediately his soldiers would help
themselves protest signed by all The foreign
| COnsuS, was UNDECIDED. foreign man-Of-War or
two, IN the harbor OF MaracaibO might perhaps have
sautary effect on Mr.. Venancio. Besldes he Is at
enmity with the central government at Caracas
Several commissions have been sent to treat with
INN. but without result, and now we hear he Is
putting his town and forts in a state of defence and
will soon declare himself independent of Venezuela.
It is generally believed however that Pugars reign
VIII be brief, and that he knows and intends TO
make the most OF IT,
From the east of the republic matters also have
Squaliy look. Gregoro Monagas cousin OF Ru-
perto, the present Desgnado Is known to be in OPP
position to the government and TO have many adhe-
rents. Ii does not appear that revolution there is
actually III progress, as has been reported. but
GregorO is awaiting his opportunity, ana fighting
may begin any day. Besides, Rojas In Barqusimeto,
Guzman BlancO i'll Caracas, and COina in COrO, all
have their several plots maturing. And to make the
anarchy more complete there is now project foot
among some OF the leading Bues to get up bigger
revolution than any other SO tar They intend, they
say-peaceably, If possible II not, by fOrce-to set
aside entirely the present form of government, ana
govern Venezuela by a sort OF vigilance committee.
The leaders In this movement are men Of earnest
purpose, and for the most part OF honorable record.
Time alone can tell in what all TINS Will eliminate
In few months, probably, the ball Will open.
TIE Congress adjourned on The goth ult without
accomplishing anything. Several good bills were
before tOne to abolish the present ridiculous navy
and another cutting down the present representa-
ton IN Congress and abOshing several salaried
Offices But Congress only talked these over and
then tabled them. AS most OF the members gen.
erals and chiefs Of factions they friends TO
measures which might limit their present authority.
They are now probably Improving their recess III
getting their clans together for fresh plots conspra
cies and war.
The health OF this island continues good, despite
the drought and scarcity OF food and business is look.
ing up. There are now four vesse5-One bark and
three bigs-making regular trips between this port
and New York.
The pastor of the Protestant Church here the Rev.
]. Smons, has returned from Holland resume his
charge. to the great delight OF the many friends
this island OF that eloquent preacher ana amiaDe
gentleman.