Mr. Pruyn to Mr.
Seward.
No. 45.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas,
October 30, 1868.
Sir: On the 28th instant, the day of Saint
Simon, celebrated here in honor of Simon Bolivar, the liberator, the
corps diplomatic and consular called by invitation (for my answer to
which see inclosure No. 1) on the national executive at the government
mansion.
Señor Don Felipe I. P. Leal, envoy of Brazil, offered, on behalf of the
corps, a few remarks of general felicitation, which were appropriately
responded to by Señor Villégas, acting President, and then almost
[Page 982]
immediately the foreign
representatives retired. The whole affair was most brief and formal.
The day was celebrated in the most joyous manner by the citizens of
Caracas. Music, fireworks, processions, theatrical performances,
reunions in the clubs, a general display of flags and banners, together
with the merry crowds moving ceaselessly through the streets and squares
from early in the morning until a late hour of the night, showed that it
was indeed a day of popular festivity. Not for many years has the
birthday of the great liberator, been so gaily kept by this nation, one
of the five republics which owe so much to that noble hero.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Pruyn to Señor Villégas.
Caracas,
Octobr 27, 1868.
The incumbent of the legation of the United States of America offers
his most cordial salutations to the honorable minister of foreign
relations of the United States of Venezuela, and, acknowledging the
receipt of his excellency’s polite note of this date, (in which is
conveyed the information that to-morrow, October 28th, being the
anniversary of the birthday of the liberator, the national executive
will hold a reception at the government mansion,) begs to state that
he will hasten to avail himself of the opportunity thus afforded of
offering his most sincere felicitations on that day of national
rejoicing, so dear to all lovers of human liberty, and doubly
precious to every republican.
In contemplating the life and character of Simon Bolivar, we find
that he excelled equally in both civil and military affairs. With an
energy almost superhuman, and a patience truly inexhaustible, he
raised army after army. With the brilliant audacity of his
extraordinary genius, he carried on with indomitable perseverance
campaign after campaign against overwhelming odds, preserving, alike
through good fortune and evil fortune, that calm grandeur of soul,
and serenity of faith in the ultimate triumph of the cause of
liberty, which nothing could shake.
Among the most marked traits of this heroic man, we notice his great
moral worth, the unsullied integrity of his conduct, both public and
private; his unswerving love of liberty regulated by law; his horror
of civil war, and of irresponsible power exercised under what name
soever; and last, but not least, his wonderful hold on the
affections of the people, who received him “as the thirsty earth
receives the fertilizing dew of heaven.”
May the illustrious example of the great liberator and peacemaker be
never forgotten, but ever followed, and endure until that time,
When every wandering sheep hath turned him home,
And changed to pruning hooks be every sword,
And all the peoples of the earth become
The people of the Lord.
