(Loft, William): Caracas, Venezuela to Monsignor (Robert) Seton: (Jersey City Heights, New Jersey), 1892 March 4

He left Curacao on March 1st and arrived at La Guayra on the 3rd. They took the steam cars across the Andes. Loft wishes Bob (Robert) Ingersoll were there; his arguments would be frozen solid on his lips. (Loft gives a description of Guayra.) Customs demanded $100 in gold as a bond to insure against Loft's disposing of his samples. These people could give tips to Bill (William) Tweed that would make his remains rattle in their coffin. The country is on the eve of a presidential election. The American minister told (Loft) they might expect a revolution at any moment. It will be dangerous for (Loft) to sign this letter. The former dictator, Guzman Blanco, now lives in Paris, having carried off $14 million out of the country. The New York war correspondent tells (Loft) that a German man of war will arrive in six days and an American ship in 10 days. General ( ) Crispi is recruiting in the back country for the regular army which numbers about 6,000 strong and will oppose the new president and the dictator. He hopes Seton will pray for him because he is in a delicate position.