Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1912-08-01

master at arms and placed me In his charge,
ordered his launch and dashed off to the
charleston He returned In halt an hour and
without another word to me ordered a euten-
ant to take me aboard the Charleston.
willsnot deny that | bit easier in my
mind when | saw my flag flying over me.
y@s had | known the treatment was to
ceiye under 1t would have felt quite differ.
emily.
1t was easy % see, from the reception
Captain Picking gave me- that he had been
Influenced by the attitude OF Captain Lang.
l told him that l was an American citizen,
temporarily In the employment OF the Bra
lillian government, that | had violated no
law OF the United States or of Brazil and
| demanded that | be set ashore. He coldly
informed me that | would be confined to the
ship at least until he had consulted with the
American minister and communicated with
Washington. and soon after arrived on the
charleston | was confined to my room as a
dangerous character who threatened the
peace OF nations With this decidedly I'M
pleasant recollection, however, 1t is a pleas.
ure to know that the other American naval
officers. who arrived later took exactly my
view OF the whole situation and became
champions OF my They told Picking
that Mello was pirate and should be
treated as such. and that I was being de-
prived OF my liberty without the slightest
warrant Of law, but they were powerless to
accomplish my release.
Looking forward little the matter in
which that old fighter, Rear Admiral Benham
put an end TO the revolution" In the follow.
ing January, after his arrival ut
Rio. should be we'll remembered. for 1t was
noble deed and example OF the good
judgment generally displayed by American
naval officers when they are not hampered
by foolish orders from Washington. In the
vain hope OF arousing enthusiasm for his lost
cause. Mello had gone down the coast.
where he hguratively and literally took to
the woods when he saw the folly of his mis-
sion, leaving Da Cana in command of the
blockadng fleet. The captains of several
American merchant ships, who had been
prevented for weeks from landing their car
goes for Rio. appealed to Admiral Benham.
who took prompt action.
To show his contempt for the rebels
whom he properly regarded as pirates
Admiral Benham assigned the smallest shin
of his squadron, the little Detroit, COM
manded by that great little man, Com.
mander (now Rear Admiral, retlred) w. II.
Brownson to escort the merchantmen up to
tho dock.
The revolution" ended right there but I'M
fortunately | not present TO witness its
collapse.
1t was In vexed Venezuela that was destin.
ed to end my days or doVitry, but not until aft.
sr protracted warfare. none the less bitter be-
cause 1t was conducted at long range. with Cas-
tro the Contemplate, who came into power
two years after | had finally settled down at
Santa Catalina as manager for the Orinoco
company. Cipriano Castro had been in con.
gress "a diputado, as member OF the house.
from one of the Andean districts while was In
Caracas with President Crespo and though he
MAS regarded as n good fighter and a disturbing
eleIav.t. ha was never considered as a presi.
Dental possibility.
After getting the development work we'll
started i returned 10 Caracas aud early in
1879 resumed my old confidential position with
President Crespo. His term expired the fol-
lowing February and found that he had al
ready decided on General lgnacio Andrade as
his successor. lie had planned 10 continue as
dictator of the country a la Guzman. and spend
much of his idle time and money abroad. and
he wanted a man who could Do relied on to
keep his organization intact and turn the OF.
aca back 10 him at tho end OF HIS term. for
tho Venezuelan constitution prohibits a presi.
aent from succeeding himself
The poems idolixed Crespo. and he had such
ssroas grip on the country that he was able
TO carry out his plan, bur with disastrous results
For a popular election II vas the welrdest thing
that could be imagined.
II vas Immediately followed hy mgttevtngs Of
discomfort from the better class Of citizens and
GA tae night OF Andrade's Inauguration General