Diary of a Venezuelan Revolution Leader

July 10, 1811

The Spaniards have been treating us very harshly, but we have had enough. A French Revolutionist, Francisco de Miranda had declared independence for us. I have only just heard about this from a close friend but this is exhilarating. My friend has said that he too is going to join the revolution where he can be free and nobody can stop them but the Spaniards. However, I do not want to give up my lifestyle I enjoy now. As one of the wealthiest men in Carupano, I have so much to give up. I own one of the bigger houses in the town and a successful rum business, which is traded throughout the city. As I look around the city, I see so many people upset and angry from the way they have been treated by the Spaniards. But with much of Spain battling Napoleon and France, this gives us a great opportunity to revolt. People are starting to join together and asking plenty of other people too. As I look outside of my window, I hear groups of people going door to door looking for their own Venezuelan people for their support of independence. If I join the revolution, with the popularity I have already, many more people who were undecided will join forces with us. Once we have claimed our independence, people will look up to me as a leader of this city and possibly the whole nation of Venezuela. I could be as popular as Francisco de Miranda and Simon Bolivar, well known revolutionary leaders. Now I have made my decision, I will join the revolution and claim our independence from Spain.