In order to supplant Bolivar, Marino convoked a congress, which proved to
be a farce, having but ten members. Marino solemnly resigned his place
of second in command of the army and also resigned on behalf of Bolivar,
without the slightest authorization from his chief. The "congress"
appointed Marino supreme chief of the army and decided to establish the
capital of the republic in Margarita. The other heads of the army refused
to recognize the usurper, and many of them, among whom the foremost
was Colonel Antonio Jose Sucre, went to Guayana to join the legitimate
commander. Marino himself at last abruptly dissolved the congress. Bolivar,
with his usual prudence, did not show that he noticed the attitude of his
second, and praised General Piar for his triumphs, knowing, nevertheless,
by that time, that he could not count on the personal loyalty of the
latter.
While attending to the operations of the siege Bolivar did not neglect his
usual administrative work. He organized a system of military justice so as
to avoid the arbitrariness of the military chieftains and, being aware
that Piar had tried to foster the disloyalty of Marino, he endeavored
to convince him of his folly, and said very plainly that unless these
machinations were stopped, great evils must be expected.
Admiral Brion came with his boats to the Orinoco in order to help in
the siege of Angostura. When he arrived in the river, the royalists of
Angostura decided to abandon the city, which fell into the hands of the
independents, Bermudez being the first to occupy it.
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