for several years, manuela lived with her father, who in 1817 arranged for her marriage to a wealthy english merchant, james thorne, who was twice her age. the couple moved to lima, peru, in 1819 where she lived as an aristocrat and held social gatherings in her home where guests included political leaders and military officers. these guests shared military secrets about the ongoing revolution with her, and, in 1819, when simón bolívar took part in the successful liberation of new granada, manuela sáenz became an active member in the conspiracy against the viceroy of perú, josé de la serna e hinojosa during 1820.