largest and most destabilizing one being led by General Quintín Quevedo and Casimiro Corral, he was unable to maintain stability. Weakened by the constant revolts, Frías was eventually ousted by his former Minister of War, Hilarión Daza. The former President was to remain exiled for the rest of his life, spending his last years in France and Italy. Considered a man of high integrity and a true servant of the state, Frías has been referred to as the "Bolivian Washington". Early life and family Tomás Frías was born to a wealthy land-owning family in Potosí on 21 December 1805. He was raised on the family hacienda in Tarapaya, municipality of Mondragón (36 km from Potosí). He had an excellent education, funded by his parents, Don José María Frías and Doña Alejandra Ametller. He married Raimunda Ballivián Guerra—a niece of Pedro José de Guerra—with whom he had a son: Carlos Frías Ballivián. Political career First diplomatic and ministerial positions He became lawyer on July 13, 1826, but dedicated himself to commerce, establishing a route from Potosí to Cobija. For two years, he occupied himself with his enterprise until the mutiny against Antonio José de Sucre on April 18, 1828. Frías would accompany the Grand Marshal of Ayacucho during the latter's custody, earning the appreciation of the President. When Sucre left the country, it was the liberator himself that adviced Frías to leave his commercial enterprise and enter the world of politics. In 1837, Andrés de Santa Cruz assigned Frías as an official to the first foreign delegation in Bolivia's history, which was sent to France. However, in 1841, he became gravely ill, afflicted with a liver condition, and was permitted to take leave in Europe to receive treatment. Finally, in 1843, Frías returned and was named Minister of Public Instruction and Foreign Affairs by President José Ballivián. His work in the Ministry of Public Instruction had profound effects in the country, making his most important reforms in 1845. These included the Organic Statute of Universities and the General Plan of Public Instruction. When José Miguel de Velasco seized power in 1848, Frías retired to private life, and was later exiled, in 1849, by the government of Manuel Isidoro Belzu. In 1855, he returned to the country after the election of Jorge Córdova, being appointed Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice. In that capacity, he was part of the council which