432 TRINIDAD. 



Gumilla mentions that about the year 1732 the soil sank at 

 Point la Brea, and gave origin to the lake ; but it is well known 

 that asphaltum existed there before the occurrence. 



After the death of Don Bartolomeo, the colony was 

 administered by the two alcades, Jose Orbay and Pedro 

 Ximenes. It was about this time that the Capitania-General 

 of Caracas was established, of which Trinidad became a de- 

 pendency. 



The colony, however, was slowly recovering from its depressec 

 condition, and the census of 1733 had given, exclusive of tl 

 Indians, 2,000 inhabitants, of whom 500 were whites, and about 

 1,500 blacks and mestizos, slaves and free people. The revenue 

 had risen to 1,200 dols. 



In October, 1735, Don Esteban Simon de Lilian y Vei 

 took from the alcades, Orbay and Ximenes, the government oi 

 the island. Twelve years after the cacao blight, in 1739, 

 terrible epidemic of small-pox ravaged the colony. The Governoi 

 left for Cumana, without notification to the Cabildo, but hi 

 appointed Major Espinosa to act during his absence. The 

 Cabildo, considering his appointment illegal, would not recognis 

 his authority. The major called out the militia; the Cabild( 

 interfered, and the militia sided with the popular authorities. 

 The two alcades, Orbay and Ximenes, then took in hand the 

 administration of the colony. On his return to Trinidad, Do] 

 Esteban met with strong opposition on the part of the people 

 virulent accusations were brought against him ; matters waxee 

 worse and worse; the Governor was arrested, sent to Port-of 

 Spain, and put in irons. The Cabildo, which, meanwhile, hae 

 remained inactive, issued a decree, declaring Don Lilian fallei 

 from his position of Governor and an usurper, proving by this 

 and other harsh measures its connivance with the mob. Mean- 

 time Major Espinosa had gone to Cumana to report the events. 

 The Governor of Cumana was ordered to proceed to Trinidad, and to 

 release the prisoner. Don Feliz Espinosa landed at Port-of- Spain 

 at the head of a strong body of troops, and released the Governor. 

 The latter, however, broken down by his long captivity and 

 cruel sufferings, was unable to resume his functions. The two 

 alcades, M. Lozado and Soto, were sent to prison and put in 

 irons, whilst their accomplices were sentenced to ten years' 

 banishment. The goods of the two alcades were confiscated, 



