Diary of a Disenfranchised Person in Venezuela

Patrick Sweeney Diary of the disenfranchised party Goldhawk, Period B

Dear diary, The flag of revolution was raised today on July the fifth 1811, few answered have answered the call and I don’t think that many more will. The leader of this ragtag group is Francisco De Miranda, a man who was involved with the French revolution; I don’t think that he’ll succeed. The man I serve, Taco Hernandez is part of the current government placing him and all those around him in immediate danger, although the rebels aren’t that powerful I still fear for my life. If it weren’t for the good pay I would never even consider working here. However without Taco I would probably be out on the streets with naught to eat.

It’s October 27th 1813, and once again Francisco has cried for change, he hopes to be the spark to explode the anger of the people to overthrow the Spanish, the rebels this time are stronger then before, they’ve already lasted several months. Not only have they lasted, but they’ve succeeded too! However upon overhearing taco I learned that the Llaneros are close to crushing the rebels again, if these uprisings continue I fear for not only Taco’s life, but my own, as im sure they’ll kill his servant. Taco is part of the royalist Llaneros who are a group that has been going around killing the rebels to quell the uprisings. Taco once confided in me the hate the group had towards white Venezuelans. He didn’t know why they hated that group so much but he said that the Llaneros had been targeting them and killing them. They also attacked the elite Criollos; I can understand that as the Llaneros must feel that they’ve betrayed their heritage and country.

Dear Diary, It’s the 6th of November 1818 and ive heard murmurs of yet another revolution led by Simon Bolivar. I’ve been saving money for the past couple of years just in case Taco is killed by the rebels. I don’t care much for this war because even if this country is liberated I very much doubt my position will change for the better. Ive also been saving because if rebels are successful then im not going to have a source of income, so I pray for Taco and his men every night. Taco has been talking of his government post being moved to New Granada, and that he’ll take me along with him. Although I am reluctant to leave my stash of money behind because it’s too heavy to carry im sure taco and I will return to his family soon.

Its February 2nd 1819, there aren’t any signs of going home. I hope nobody has found my savings because I keep hearing talk of large troop movements and of being liberated, im sure it’s just talk but im nervous all the same

Dear diary, taco is dead… I woke up in the night to only to see chaos on the horizon. Several houses were lit on fire and burning in the night. Shots rang out and screams were heard throughout the street. I ran to Taco’s room only to discover that he was not there. Then, concerned with my own safety I ran to the basement and hid. During the night I heard yelling in the house, but was relieved that nobody found me or that the house wasn’t lit on fire. I walked out at dawn to only to find the scent of the dead hanging in the hair. There were still screams and a little bit of fire left, but everything seemed eerily calm. I hadn’t known the war was going to be like this. “Viva la revolución” was the constant call in the distance. I was glancing around, if the battle was over where was Taco? After 3 hours of frantic searching I came upon a little boy hovering over a body. Confused I looked closer only to discover that he was taking something out of his pockets. I was about to shoo him away and warn him to respect the dead when something caught my eye. I looked down with horror to find that it was Taco Hernandez, my master for the past couple of years. I carried the body home and lay it on his bed and began writing to his family to tell them the grim news. After seeing what the rebels have been doing and the swiftness at what they did in one night I can only assume that they will win this war for independence. I cared not then nor now as I will forever remain a servant no matter who wins.