Today we will refer to the original manuscript: Offering from the Municipality of La Guaira to Centenary of the Liberator, 1883It contains valuable information on various aspects of the La Guaira Municipality, such as its boundaries, topographical features, rivers, and streams. Likewise, this original holograph manuscript also includes descriptions of a mule track connecting this town with the Aguado Municipality, and another bridle path leading to Caracas. Similarly, it mentions the roads to the Macuto Parish and those leading to the hamlets of Cariaco and San José de Galipán, located on the hill. Regarding agriculture, the following crops are named: coffee, cacao, sugarcane, corn, plantains, onions, various vegetables, flowers, and others. Furthermore, on other pages, we find substantial references and comments concerning the printing press where the document was written. “Diary of the Guaira”A newspaper dedicated to commerce, industry, arts, sciences, literature, news, entertainment, and advertisements. Regarding public health, this original manuscript contains some highly interesting statements concerning the men's hospital. “Saint John of God” and about the “Charity hospital for women.” Interestingly, we read in some paragraphs of this document the names of those who made up the Consular Corps resident in La Guaira at that time; and the list of musicians from this locality, including data related to the instruments they play. At the end of this manuscript, a statistical table can be observed, which concentrates or reflects details and descriptions of various schools, with their respective names, as well as the number of students who attended each of them. In the same table, the subjects taught in these public schools or centers of instruction are listed. To name just a few of the subjects that were taught there, we will mention some such as: Reading, Writing, Accounting, Algebra, Religion, Morality, Geometry, Geography of Venezuela, Spanish Grammar, History, Drawing, Sewing, Weaving, English and French languages, among others. Furthermore, this interesting historical document also contains data associated with or related to bridges, public fountains, sewers, streetlights, markets, churches; and also about the construction of the boulevard that would bear the name of “Guzmán Blanco”To give us a closer idea of this manuscript, we will quote a short paragraph included in its first pages:
"The desire to contribute something to the Centenary of the Father of our nation led us to the idea of compiling all the notes contained in this booklet. Our limited skill in the art of writing means it lacks the necessary refinement, so we ask for your forgiveness for any shortcomings it may contain. Guaira, May 1883.“Signed: González Hernández and PL Burquillos.
This document can be consulted in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection of the National Library of Venezuela.
