CHAPTER XLII.

THE REORGANIZATION OF VENEZUELA.

1817--1819.

The Expedition of Morillo and Canterac against the Island of Margarita--The Action at Matasiete--The Massacre at Juan Griego--Morillo returns to Caracas--Position of Patriots and of Royalists--The Civil Administration of Bolívar--Rout of Saraza at Hogaza--The Horse Marines--Bolívar surprises Morillo at Calabozo--Retreat of the Royalists to Sombrero--Defeat of Bolívar at La Puerta--Capture of San Fernando by Paez--Defeat of Paez at Cojedes--Defeat of Cedeño by Morales--And of Morales by Paez--Mariño takes Cumaná, and refuses Allegiance to the Liberator--Bolívar raises a New Army, and is reconciled to Mariño--Santander sent to Casanare--Bolívar’s Idea of a Constitution--The Congress of Angostura--Bolívar is named President of Venezuela--The Foreign Auxiliaries--Luis Mendez--Colonel Hippisley--Colonel Wilson--Campbell--Gilmour--General English--Colonel Elsom--General MacGregor--General Devereux--Colonel Montilla--Morillo opens the Campaign--Tactics of Paez--Morillo reoccupies San Fernando--The Affair of “Las Queseras del Medio”--Bolívar’s New Idea.....380