522 SPANISH AMERICA. 



They formed themselves in military array ; 

 and though twice defeated, after the victory 

 of Carabobo, by a patriot force, under the 

 command of Colonel Juan Escalona, they 

 obstinately refused to accept the pardon 

 which was offered to them. It was at that 

 period impossible, from the still threatening 

 aspect of the Spanish force, for the patriots 

 to send many troops to Coro ; nor could 

 the country, from the devastations of war, 

 and the want of rain, afford them the means 

 of subsistence. Reinforcements were, how- 

 ever, at length sent, sufficient to rout the 

 enemy's troops, and even to occupy all the 

 inhabited parts of the province, with the 

 aid of some management : by means of 

 this the confidence between the Spanish 

 commander and the leading people of Coro 

 was interrupted, many of the latter going 

 over to the patriots. 



Unfortunately, however, disputes arose 

 amongst the patriot officers and troops. 

 The Spanish general, availing himself of the 



