The book containing the Original Act of the independence of Venezuela had been lost. By Víctor Torrealba
Obviously this article is not numismatics or of economy, but it motivated me to write it, the large number of questions originated by a tweet posted, which said:
"★Curiosidades★ the Original manuscript of our solemn act of independence in 1811, was lost by 96 years, from 1812 until 1908."
As I noticed a lack of knowledge of this important historical fact of our nation, I will do a brief summary of what happened.
July 5, 1811 born officially the Republic of Venezuela. Of course that this led to that I had to fight with weapons against the Royalist Army, that it was he who defended the King of Spain. That first Republic lasted only a few months, since in the year 1812, the patriot army is defeated by General realistic Monteverde.
And we mean all of this because the book of acts of the Congress of 1811, which is a book collecting all the decisions made by the Congress, was lost after the fall of the first Republic in 1812.
For many years was known what he said the Act, through which it had been published in a booklet edited called the publicist of Venezuela, which was the broadcaster magazine of the sessions of the Congress. Also the content of the Act was known for a pamphlet published in London entitled interesting official documents from Venezuela, but the original Act was had no idea where it was.
Congress is dispersed before invasion of Monteverde
Before the start of the war, Congress moved to the city of Valencia. The day March 14, 1812, Monteverde realist invades the city and members are dispersed, leaving in this way Congress file and records of 2 books collecting all provisions which had been enacted by Congress. Since that date they had no idea of the whereabouts of the original Act.
Appeared the Act that was nearly 100 years loss
It took almost 100 years since both books had been lost - and among the books the Act original of the Declaration of the independence - when one day a man named Smith visited a friend his historian named Francisco González. Then said you in the city of Valencia had found an interesting book from the time of independence.
Indeed, the book was in the city of Valencia in house of Señora María Josefina Gutiérrez de Navas Spinola, who had it hidden among the piano bench, characteristic of colonial furniture, allowing you to save on their background documents and values.
On October 23, 1907 Mr. Smith delivered the book to his friend historian, saying "here is the book, also contains the independence Act". The surprise of the historian was extraordinary, who said that as he browsed the book the heart, to feel so strong the patriotism was beating strongly.
The news of the appearance of the Declaration of independence was photographed by the press and commented on by our political leaders, generating a great jubilation and patriotic feelings in the population.
Since then it has been under the shelter of the Venezuelan State and it can be seen by the people.
If you want to explore more about this important historical event, I invite you to read the "Discovery of the solemn act of independence of Venezuela" book written by the historian Francisco González recounting the events that took place)Download it free here)
