Auction Name: 2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 47249

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6328*47249

José Antonio Páez Letter Signed. One page in Spanish, 8 1/4 x 10 inches, San Esteban; February 7, 1836. Writing to Pedro Tinoco, Governor of the Province of Carabobo in Venezuela, Páez requests the immediate holding of municipal elections in the district. Páez, who had lost his seat in government the previous year, was then leading forces loyal to the National Constitution in an effort to suppress the Revolution of the Reforms. In part (in translation):

"At every moment, the assistance of the civil authorities is needed for everything...when I am constantly obliged to resort to some magistrate, I have to suffer delays or setbacks in matters of great importance. The municipal elections have not yet been held in this district, and this is the cause of many disturbances. I therefore hope that Your Excellency will be so kind as to issue firm orders for the elections to be held immediately..." Signed, "José A. Páez."

The letter dates from the final phase of the Revolution of the Reforms, which began in July 1835 when President José María Vargas was overthrown by military officers seeking constitutional changes and the restoration of federalist reforms. Páez, despite his own recent political defeat, rallied troops in defense of the constitutional order and led military operations across central Venezuela throughout late 1835 and early 1836. His campaign culminated with the surrender of the last rebel forces at Puerto Cabello on March 1, 1836, restoring Vargas to power.

Condition: Lightly toned with smoothed folds. Minor foxing and a few small, scattered wormholes, touching text but not affecting legibility.

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