Compelling the bishop of Asuncion to resign on account of senile debility, Francia himself assumed the episcopal office.

Even intermarriage among the old colonial families he prohibited, so as to reduce all to a common social level.

He attained his object.

Paraguay became a quiet state, whatever might be said of its neighbors! Elsewhere in southern Spanish America a brilliant feat of arms brought to the fore its most distinguished soldier.

This was Jose de San Martin of La Plata.