Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I beg to submit for your consideration a few observations concerning the recent course of political events in this country. General Monagas, the chief of the revolution, who, after the establishment of the provisional government, became commander-in-chief of the army, was obliged, owing to ill health, to retire a few weeks ago from active service, and he repaired to the village of El Vallé, near Caracas, where he has since lived in retirement, much to the benefit of his health, which, as I am informed, is now almost entirely restored.
In the absence of the chief, Generals Ruperto Monagas and Rufo Rojas command the forces in the field, which have now only to contend against the army of General Pedro Manuel Rojas, who still holds out against the government in the States of Portuguesa and Zainora, (united population one hundred and sixty-five thousand,) in the western part of the republic.
In dispatch No. 33, dated September 29, 1868, I expressed the opinion that this government would come to terms with the President, Sutherland, at Maracaibo. They have done so in a manner advantageous to both parties, and thus the further effusion of blood has been happily avoided. The national government has obtained control of the customhouse at Maracaibo, and the national war vessels, until now in possession of the partisans of the late Bruzual government.
President Sutherland, it is said, will soon leave for Europe, or, if he remains here, will take an interest in national affairs by coming as a senator to the new congress. In any event, his influence is now very little, and that little kept up by the position of State President, (which he must soon vacate,) and aided by his vast wealth.
There have been reactionary disturbances in the States of Barcelona and Nueva Andalusia; but happily they were speedily suppressed, and peace and tranquillity prevail.
The revolutionary party, being so strong, could easily afford to be generous to their conquered foe; so they caused the elections to be held in a free, fair, and open manner. On the 9th of October, General Monagos, from his retreat at El Vallé, issued a proclamation, asking his fellow-citizens, in dignified and suitable language, to conduct the elections in strict accordance to the letter and spirit of the constitution—to be just, quiet, and orderly.
His request was, as far as I can learn, most faithfully obeyed, and the elections passed of in a manner highly creditable to this people. They took place on October the 18th.
There were chosen a President of the republic, a President in each State, and members of both houses of the national and State legislatures. [Page 981] The official returns are not yet complete, but I am informed that the revolutionary party, or “blues,” have been everywhere victorious, their candidates obtaining from two-thirds to three-fourths of all the votes polled. This is the first time in many years that a really free election has been held in Venezuela, and it therefore has excited far more than usual interest. General José Tadeo Monagas has, without doubt, been elected President. The day before the election, the principal merchants of Caracas, both native and foreign, presented him with a carriage and horse—a very handsome compliment, and, perhaps, indicative that a revival of commerce is hoped for under his administration.
There is a strong and growing feeling here in favor of centralization; a strong, consolidated government. There is too much State pride and local jealousy. Some of the States are extremely poor, and sparsely populated, so that they support the burden of a State government with great difficulty. It is expected that the next congress will propose some amendment to the constitution, giving more power to the general government, which most certainly appears to be required. They will also, it is to be hoped, remove some of the excessive import duties, and thus stimulate foreign commerce.
Yesterday the government issued a proclamation calling congress together on the first day of January. Their first duty, after organizing, will be to count the votes for President, who will immediately take office, and make an address to the congress. Then that body will proceed to choose a primer designado, and a segundo design-ado, or first and second vice-presidents. The choice of first vice-president will be a most important event, as, owing to the extreme old age and feeble health of the President elect, that officer will most likely be the Virtual executive. The danger of the movement appears to be that the relatives of Monagas—some two dozen or more—and their particular friends, all from the eastern States, will endeavor to obtain all the places of honor and profit under the new administration, not giving a fair share to others from other localities, who helped to bring the revolution to a triumphant conclusion. The hope of the people lies in a wise and firm course of action by the incoming congress, particularly in the choice of a good and able man for first vice-president.
I have the honor to remain, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.