The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1911-04-29

view to defense, but in La Gualra the
old story is slightly accentuated.
There is one boulevard reaching from
Maiquetia through La Guaira to Ma
cuto, and all the rest are just "calles,
or passageways. The wider of these
is about twelve feet across and there
are several too narrow for three peo-
pie to walk abreast without humping
against doorsteps and the omnipres-
ent projecting iron-barred windows.
The cobblestone pavements are the
work of period when the memory
Of man runneth not to the contrary"
When the tropic rains come down they
serve eXcellently for drains, and for
thoroughfares for burros and foot pas
sengers at other times.
La Guaira was established contem-
poraneously with the location of the
capital of Venezuela at Caracas, up to
which period the principal entry port
had been farther to the westward, the
principal center of the country being
valencia. Caracas having been estab-
hshed, however, in 1867, it became
necessary to find a nearer sea con-
nection, and assuming that the jut-
ting headland Of Cape Blanco. which
here forms considerable blight,
would offer protection to ships. this
was made the port.
1t is distant over the mountains but
eight miles from Caracas. The Span
lards constructed a bride path over
the hills to that city, with the never
failing cobblestones forming the bed.
Over 1t the armament. ammunition
and merchandise of this important
capital were transported for many
years. In 1896 the king of Spain au-
thOrized the construction of cart
road from La Guaira to Caracas and
also the improvement of La Guaira
port, but the work was abandoned,
the authorities at Caracas fearing 1t
would simply facilitate access of their
enemies to the capital. This was con-
structed later. however.
Osorio Villegas is said to have been
responsible for the foundation of La
Guaira, or rather of port along
this immediate shore. Here was Of
fered every facility for defense, but,
withal, several years after its settle
ment Amias Preston. who accompa-
MED Sir Francis Drake, landed at
Macuto and led 400 men over hid
den trail, guided by Spanish pris-
oner named Villapardo, and while the
Spanish troops of Caracas awaited the
English on the established Kings
highway, Preston appeared within that
city. where he carried to complete
ness the usual customs of the gay
buccaneers He then made his way
back to his ships. escaping with the
booty and with the loss of but few
men,
French pirates under one M. Gram
mont found La Guaira easy prey in
1850; but the Dutch Tin 1909 and the
English naval forces Tin 1889 and
1743) were driven off, the fortifica-
lions at La Guiara by that time hav-
ing assumed considerable proportions.
They were strong because OF their
commanding positions on the hills
overlooking town and harbor.
There are in absolute ruin and
abandon on the hills above La Guaira
what were no doubt well-armed bat
teries to the number OF six or seven.
and four other rather commanding po
sitions are still maintained as mill
tary posts, where are now two mod
ern cannon. Seeing these old ruins
one can we'll appreciate how the
Guairenos were able to beat of the
ships Of war of that time.
La Guaira has been frequently the
seat of war during its existence. and
foreign warships threatening Its de-
struction are not unknown to the pres
ent generation.