330 SPANISH AMERICA. 



formed the plan of the intended constitu- 

 tion, and Don T. Roscio, with several indi- 

 viduals at Bogota, and in the interior of Ve- 

 nezuela. There were, however, many who 

 were opposed to the project of federalism; 

 and it was only after several months of 

 debate, on the 23d of December 1811, that 

 the proposed constitution was agreed to by 

 the Congress. As this constitution, how- 

 ever, was very soon, by subsequent events, 

 rendered completely unavailing, its provi- 

 sions are now of very little importance. It 

 was agreed that the Congress should hold 

 its sessions at Valencia in the beginning of 

 March 1812. 



There was at that period every appear- 

 ance of prosperity in Venezuela ; a reduc- 

 tion of four per cent, was made in the cus- 

 tom-house duties in favour of English ma- 

 nufactures, and commerce was in some 



