Miranda landed on the coast of Venezuela. He and his men fought well. But the people did not rise up to join his standard as he had expected. Instead they fled from him. They were afraid. Spain was too strong in Venezuela, and the Patriot cause too weak.
So Miranda was driven from the country. His expedition failed. He was, finally, forced to disband what was left of his little “Colombian Army,” after which he took refuge again in England.
As for the poor captive American lads, those who had not been hanged as pirates, our United States Government could do little to assist them, for we were not at war with Spain, and the young men had been taken as pirates on the high seas. Some of them continued to languish in Spanish dungeons, others were put to hard labour in the mines, and few of them were ever heard of again.
THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS FIFTH
Meanwhile, a great change was taking place. In Europe, Napoleon had forced the King of Spain to abdicate. In Venezuela the people felt no longer bound in loyalty to the Spanish Crown. Miranda’s teachings had made an impression. The seeds of Patriotism which he had sown were taking root.
The Patriot Party in Venezuela grew strong. Young Simon Bolivar, a fiery Patriot, was sent on a mission to England. While there, he sought out Miranda. He invited him to return to Venezuela and help the Patriot cause.
So Miranda returned.
On the Fifth of July, 1811, a Congress representing the Venezuelan People, assembled and voted in the name “of the all-powerful God” a Declaration of Independence of the United Provinces of Venezuela, which by right and act became a free, sovereign, and independent State.
Miranda was one of the signers.
It was a great and glorious Fifth—like our Fourth—when Liberty enlightened that land. For it was the first Declaration of Independence in all Spanish America. And the brave delegates, who put their names to it, did so at the greatest risk of their lives; for Spain was still strong in Venezuela.