328 SPANISH AMERICA. 



who were desirous of being again united to 

 the mother- country. General Bolivar, also, 

 who was destined to become the great and 

 successful champion of the freedom of his 

 country, disapproved of the system acted 

 upon by the Congress, and declined any 

 direct connexion with it. This clashing of 

 opinions amongst the patriot leaders, was 

 not very favourable to the stability of the 

 new government. A few days after the 

 publication of the act of independence, on 

 the 11th of July 1811, a conspiracy was 

 discovered and suppressed at Caraccas. On 

 the day preceding, however, the royalists 

 succeeded in obtaining possession of Valen- 

 cia, thirty-eight leagues from Caraccas, and 

 were joined by the inhabitants, who were 

 discontented with the Congress for oppos- 

 ing their desire to separate themselves from 

 Caraccas, and form a separate province. 

 Troops were immediately embodied by the 

 government of Caraccas, and sent against 



