... Washington's family honors me beyond my greatest hopes,
because Washington's gift presented by Lafayette is the crown of all
human rewards."[1]
[Footnote 1: From that time until his death Bolivar preferred to any other
decoration, Washington's miniature picture, which often he wore on his
breast. Venezuela keeps with veneration this sacred relic in the _Museo
Boliviano_ of Caracas.]
While yet aglow with the great satisfaction he derived from this episode,
Bolivar was annoyed again by the movement to make him accept a crown.
Something still worse occurred at this time. In 1826 trouble broke out in
Venezuela because of the activities of Paez.
We have already mentioned that Venezuela was divided into three military
districts, governed by Bermudez, Marino and Paez. These three men had been
at times hostile to Bolivar, and, in order to satisfy their ambitions, he
had placed them in high commands. Paez was stationed in Caracas, where
his arbitrary rule was resented by the people. He intrigued against the
vice-president, Santander, executing his commands in such a way as to
produce ill-will, especially an order providing for the recruiting of
soldiers in Venezuela, which because of the manner of its execution, caused
much protest and resulted in complaints to the House of Representatives
against Paez. The House endorsed the accusation and submitted it to the
Senate, which suspended Paez from his post and summoned him to the capital.
Paez refused to appear, but at last was obliged to leave his command and
retire to Valencia as a private citizen.
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