The New York herald., 1875-08-25
VENEZUELA.
ASCENT OF THE MOUNTAINS OF CARACAS by
Road LocoMoTIvE-ENrERPRIsE IN THE
TROPICS

TROPICS.
LAGUAYRA, August 3, 1875
wonderful steam journey has been made here ON
Saturday the oath of last month, The road steamer
Guzman Banco started from this port ana made Tho
ascent of the stage road to Caracas The mountains
lying between Caracas and the sea- which this road
passes rise points TO altitude Of over 900
feet and the road itself at point is 500 feet
above the level OF the The sharp turns and
steep grades numerous lright prccpccs being Of
frequent occurrence along tho route.
The Guzman Blanco Is tho first OF several loco
motives which the entreprefear Dr. Naphegi proposes
TO bring from England AS all the freight for Cara
cas- the capital of Venezuela, and for the interior Is
carried over the mountains from this port mule
back and in carts, the advent OF the locomotive will
revoutonize the carrying trade and bring Caracas and
Iaguayra practically much each other.
Though Caracas in a straight line is less than five miles
from Laguayra and the sea coast by road II Is
-four times the distance
On the 10th of last month the Guzman Banco
rived at Iaguayra from England board the royal
mail steamer Larne tcargo boap. The process of put
ting her together watched by large crowds OF the
natives Alter she was ready the fire was lit by the
Collector of Customs, and she made trial trips to
Maqnetra and Marcato villages adjacent TO lasuayTa
The inhabitants turned out and numerous
rockets were let on large crowd following in the wake
Of the engine The muleteers and others Interested IN
the present mode of transporting goods from the
period of her debarkation watched every movement
with jealous eyes and were loud IN their predictions
that, hrst she would not go; second that she would
not be able to ascend the Mountains TO Caracas and
now, having arrived safely there they contend that she
will not draw freight.
THE ASCENT OF THE MOUNTAINS.
On the oath the locomotive preceded by your corre
spondent in carriage, commenced the ascent of Cara
cas-, and bravely mounted the steep grades turning
well around the numerous turns and curves. On pass
ing through Maqueta her progress was arrested by one
of the town officials who stated that she would ruin
the streets She then forced to make deour up the
dry bed of stream The oIicious official was mpris
oncd the next day by order from Caracas. The en-
gne halted for the night ut Catia few miles from
Caracas and the next day Sunday the 10Th, ut five
O'Clock in the afternoon, triumphal entry was made
The streets through which she passed lined with
flags and large crowds while the sehoras and scnortas
filled the balconies The Diplomatic Corps assembled
at the American Legation to witness the e'1trte
Numerous rockets were let of during the progress
and the military band played appropriate airs, though
none OF the Emusic of the future On arriving M the
magnificent Plaza Bolivar, which takes its maine from
colossal equestrian statue of the berator in the centre
the engine made the circuit OF the plaza accompanied
by guard OF police, followed by carriages containing
hi0h Venezuelan authorities Having completed the
circuit she stopped in front of the Government Palace
where the locomotive and Dr. Napheg were received by
the President Guzman Blanco, standing on the palace
steps. A short speech was made by the entTePFeleaf
acknowledging gratefully
THE FACILITIES GIVEN GOVERNMENT
TO his enterprise and responded to by the Pres
dent by calls for numerous 1icas from the populace
in honor Of the Revolution of April, Progress and Dr.
Napheg. The President, accompanied by his Cabinet
then inspected the locomotive, and large crowd sur
rounded it, with curious looks long II remained in
front of the palace The freight wagons expected
by vessel from England in few days, and other locomo
tves both passenger and freight have been ordered
from England 1t is understood that in addi
lion Ia The line between here and Caracas others
will be established to Valencia and other points in
the interior The parties interested have the exclusive
privilege and right Of way for twenty lone years and
everything has been done by President Banco and his
government To and and encourage this truly commend
able enterprise The day OF entry Of the " "locomotor"
the natives call it, was snguarly appropriate one
being the day Of ST. Jago the Apostle the patron
SAINT of Caracas On the next day, it being the birth
day of the Presidents wife, the engine called at Ban
din, the Presidents country residence, near Caracas.
Great credit is due in the whole matter 10 Dr. Naphegi
a Hungarian. but naturazed American citizen, who
had the locomotive brought out The latter is from the
works of Messrs. Aveng Porter at Rochester, Kent,
England.
Some trouble expected from the discontened mu-
letters the voyage up, but though large body Of
them made several aggressive movements, these were
stopped by the presenting of several revolyers at
the heads of the woud-be opponents OF progress.
There is very little news OF any Importance throughout
the country.
The coffee crop is doing well; there has been plenty
of rain and the planters content Cocoa, also, Is
doing we'll and magnificent crops OF both are expected