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Ministers possess the means, that obliged anew to sustain it in such you may be able to frame your a crisis; and had not the public enactments according to the cir- mind been promptly turned to its cumstances of the case. It be- own preservation, the Republic longs to the President of the would have been torn in pieces by Councils of State and of the Min- its own citizens. She was pleased istry, to exhibit the transactions of to honor me with her confidence, the last eighteen months; and if a confidence which I was they have not equalled what we bound to respect as the most samight have hoped, they have at cred law. When the country was least overcome the obstacles which on the brink of ruin, could I hesiopposed the march of the admin- tate? istration the turbulent circumstances of foreign war and internal commotion; evils which, thanks to Divine Providence, have yielded to the influence of mercy and peace.

Bestow your highest attention upon the origin and progress of these disturbances.

The commotions which unfortunately occurred in 1826, obliged me to return from Peru, although I had resolved not to accept the Chief Magistracy, to which I had been re-elected during my absence. Urgently invited to restore harmony and avert a civil war, I could not refuse my services to the country from which I received that new honor, and the most unequivocal proofs of confidence.

The national representation began to consider the causes of the discord which agitated the public mind; and convinced that they were real, and that thorough measures ought to be adopted, they submitted to the necessity of calling a Grand Convention. This body was installed in the midst of party excitement, and as might be expected, was dissolved without being able to agree upon the reforms in contemplation. Seeing the Republic threatened with a complete dismemberment, I was

The laws, which had been violated by the tumult of arms and the dissensions of the people, had lost their force. Already the legislative body, knowing the necessity of the case, had decreed that a Convention should be assembled to reform the Constitution; and already the Convention had declared that the reform was urgently necessary. So solemn a declaration, connected with the events which preceded it, gave a formal decision against the political compact of Colombia. In opinion and in fact, the Constitution of the 11th year [of the Republic] had ceased to exist.

The condition of the country was dreadful, and mine still more so; for I was placed at the mercy of opinions and suspicions. Nevertheless, the diminution of a reputation acquired by a long series of services, in which similar sacrifices had been necessary and frequent, did not restrain me from the performance of duty.

The organic decree which I issued on the 27th of August, 1828, ought to have convinced all, that it was my most ardent desire, to relieve myself from the insupportable weight of unlimited authority, and that the Republic might again be organized by means of

its representatives. But scarcely had I begun to exercise the functions of Supreme Chief, when opposing elements developed themselves with the violence of passion and the ferocity of crime. An attempt was made upon my life civil war was kindled up and the Government of Peru was encouraged by this example, and by other means, to invade the Departments of the South, for purpose poses of conquest and usurpation. I do not rely, fellow-citizens, upon simple conjecture: unquestionable facts and documents confirm what I say. War became inevitable. The army of Gen. Lamar was defeated at Tarqui in the most splendid and glorious manner by our arms and the forces which remained owed their preservation to the generosity of the conquerors. Notwithstanding the magnanimity of the Colombians, Gen. Lamar renewed the war, in direct violation of his agreement, and commenced hostilities. I again invited him to peace; but, in return, he loaded us with calumny and insult. The Department of Guayaquil became the victim of his extravagant pretensions.

Deprived of our military marine, opposed by the inundations of the rainy season and by other obstacles, we had to wait for a favorable opportunity to recover the place. During this interval, a national decision (to use the language of the Supreme Chief of Peru) vindicated our conduct, and relieved our enemies from the administration of General Lamar. The political aspect of that Republic being thus changed, the process of negotiation was easy;

and by virtue of an armistice we recovered Guayaquil. At length, on the 22d of September, the Treaty of Peace was signed, which put an end to a war in which Colombia defended her dignity and her rights.

I congratulate the Congress and the nation on the satisfactory result of affairs in the South; not only because the war is at an end, but because we have received the most unequivocal demonstrations of good-will from the Peruvian Government, which nobly confesses that we were provoked to the war by wicked designs on the part of our enemies. No Government has made satisfaction to another, as Peru has to this: for which magnanimity she is entitled to our most perfect esteem.

Fellow-citizens: If peace has been concluded with that moderation which was to be expected between kindred nations, which ought not to have turned their consecrated arms against liberty and their common safety, we also have exercised lenity with the unfortunate people of the South who suffered themselves to be implicated in a civil war, or seduced by the enemy. It is gratifying to tell you that in terminating these domestic dissensions, not a drop of blood has been sacrificed to the vengeance of the laws, and although a gallant General and his followers have fallen on the field of death, their punishment came from the hand of the Almighty, since from ours they would have obtained mercy — that mercy which we extended to the survivors. They are all in the enjoyment of liberty, notwithstanding their errors.

Too much has the country suffered by these commotions, which we shall always recollect with pain: and if anything can mitigate our sorrow, it is the reflection that their origin is in no measure attributable to us, and that we have been as generous with our adversaries as was in our power. The sacrifice of any delinquents on the altar of justice assuredly grieves us; and although the parricide has no claim to indulgence, yet many of them have received it from my hands, and perhaps those who least deserved it.

Take for example the scene of horror which unfortunately I had to lay before you. Suppose it to happen as one of those formidable chastisements which Providence is pleased to give us in the course of our lives, for our correction. It is the duty of Congress to gather sweet fruits from this bitter tree, or at least to remove from under its poisonous shade.

Had I not enjoyed the enviable privilege of calling you to represent the rights of the people, in order that, conformably to the wishes of your constituents, you might create or meliorate our institutions, this would be the place to point out to you the fruits of twenty years, consecrated to the service of the country. But I ought not even to indicate, what other citizens have a right to ask of you. All can, and ought to submit their opinions, their fears and desires, to those whom we have appointed to cure society of its confusion and frailties. I alone am excluded from exercising this privilege of citizens, because having called you together and defined your

prerogatives, it is not my business to influence your councils in any manner whatever. And besides, it would be irksome to repeat to the representatives of the people, that which Colombia publishes in characters of blood. My sole duty is, to submit without reserve to the laws of the magistrates which you may create; and it is my only aspiration, that the will of the people may be proclaimed, respected, and fulfilled by their Delegates.

To this end I thought proper to invite all the people to express their opinions with full liberty and security, under no other restriction than those which order and moderation ought to prescribe. The invitation has been complied with; and you will find in the petitions which will be submitted to your consideration, the ingenuous expression of the will of the people. All the Provinces await your decision; all the meetings which have been held for the object have been characterized by regularity and respect for the authority of the government and the Constituent Congress. We have only to regret the extravagance of the meeting in Caracas, concerning which both your prudence and wisdom ought to judge.

I fear, not without some foundation, that when I speak of the Magistrate who is to preside over the Republic, my sincerity will be doubted. But Congress ought to be persuaded that its honor is opposed to thinking of me for this station, and my own to its acceptance by me. Would you consider it decorous to devolve this precious power upon the same man

who has assigned it to you? people, avoiding every thought of considering me necessary to the Republic. If ONE MAN were necessary to sustain a State, that State would not deserve to exist, and in short could not exist.

Could you, without injury to your reputation, give me your suffrages? Would not this be equivalent to my appointing myself? Far from you and from me be an act so unworthy.

Obliged as you are, to constitute the government of the Republic, you will find both within and without your own body, illustrious citizens who will fill the Presidency with glory and advantage. All, all my fellow-citizens enjoy the inestimable privilege of appearing innocent to the eyes of suspicion,I alone am stigmatised with aspiring after tyranny. Free me, I entreat you, from the reproach which awaits me if I continue in the occupancy of a post which never can be exempt from the charge of ambition. Bekeve me, a new Magistrate is indispensable to the Republic. The people wish to know if I will ever cease to command them. The American States regard me with a distrust which may one day bring on Colombia evils similar to those of the war with Peru. Even in Europe there are not wanting those who fear that I shall discredit, by my conduct, the glorious cause of liberty. Ah! what conspiracies and wars have we suffered, in consequence of attempts upon my authority and person. These misfortunes have occasioned sufferings to the people whose sacrifices would have been avoided, if from the first the legislators of Colombia had not compelled me to fill an office which has oppressed me more than war and all its calamities.

Show yourselves, fellow-citizens, worthy to represent a free

The Magistrate whom you select will doubtless be an Iris of domestic concord, a bond of fraternal union, a consolation to the parties that are depressed. Around him all the Colombians will rally; he will fold them in his arms, and form them into one family of citizens. I will obey this legitimate magistrate with the most cordial respect; I will follow him as an angel of peace; I will sustain him with my sword and with all my powers. Everything will add energy, respect and submission to the man of your choice. I give you my oath for it, legislators; I promise it in the name of the Colombian people and army: the Republic will be happy, if in accepting my resignation, you appoint to the Presidency a citizen dear to the nation: she will languish if you insist that I shall remain in the command. Hear my entreaties save the Republic: save my glory, which is that of Colombia.

Take the Presidency, which I respectfully resign into your hands. Henceforward, I am only a private citizen, ready to defend the country and obey the government; my public functions cease forever. I make a formal and solemn surrender of the supreme authority which the national suffrages have conferred on me.

You belong to all the Provinces; you are their most select citizens; you have served in all public stations; you know the in

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Let my last act be, to recommend that you protect the holy religion which we profess, the overflowing fountain of heavenly blessings. The national treasury requires your attention, especially in the system of collection. The public debt, which is the canker of Colombia, demands of you its most sacred rights. The army, which has immense claims upon your gratitude, requires a thorough organization. Justice demands codes of laws capable of defending the rights and innocence of freeAll must be created anew; and it is your duty to lay the foundation of prosperity by establishing the general basis of our political organization.

men.

Fellow Citizens: I am ashamed to say it-independence is the only blessing we have acquired, at the expense of everything else. But this gives us opportunity to regain what we have lost, under your sovereign auspices, with all the splendor of glory and liberty. SIMON BOLIVAR.

Bogota, Jan. 20, 1830.

On the 22d, General Sucre, President of the Constituent Congress, made a reply to the above, in which he says that the abdication of Bolivar could not be accepted, inasmuch as he had 'solemnly promised to continue in the exercise of the supreme authority, until the Congress should have promulgated a Constitution and named its Magistrates.'

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VENEZUELIANS! Having made known in November your determination of separating yourselves from the other part of the territory, forming the Republic of Colombia, and your desires having been complied with, the four departments which divided ancient Venezuela, Maturin, Venezuela, Oronoco and Zulia,-have all desired the same thing, and have, shown the like enthusiasm, not one town dissenting. The national opinion has been manifested with liberty, and the people of Venezuela have expressed at once their true wishes.

Venezuelians! Having offered to sustain your constitution, and being placed at the head of the army, I protest to you that no strange power will invade your territory; that the public_tranquillity will not be disturbed, and that I will uphold the national representation in full security, in order to fix your future destiny, and commence the work of your prosperity. In speaking with such certainty, I am borne out by the opinion of the people and of the brave and experienced generals, chiefs, and officers who form the army, and who protect the departments, resolved to make the public cause triumph.

The publication of Zulia is a pleasing incident for the Republic, which increases the integrity of its territory and in receiving its votes, I have saluted them as wor

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