Encyclopædia americana. A popular dictionary of arts, sciences, literature, history, politics and biography, a new ed.; including a copious collection of original articles in American biography; on the basis of the 7th ed. of the German Conversations-lexicon. Ed. by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth ...

172 BOLIVAR.
ing and affecting spectacle. Its whole proach; and B., entering the capital amid
population hailed him as the liberator and the acclamations of the people, was infather of his country. He embraced the vested with supreme power as dictator
favorable moment to obtain the funda- and authorized to call into action all the
mental law of December 17th, 1819, by resources of the country for its liberation.
which the republics of Venezuela and But, opposed and denounced by some
New Grenada were -to be thenceforth of the factions which distracted Peru, he
united in a single state, under the presi- found himself under the necessity of redency of B., and by the title of the repub- turning to Trujillo, in Northern Peru, leavlic of Colombia. Meanwhile, the seat of ing Lima to be retaken by the Spaniards
government was transferred provisional- under Canterac.-At length, in June, 1824,
ly to Rosario de Cucuta; and B. again the liberating army was completely ortook the field, at the head of the most ganized, and soon after, taking the field,
formidable army that had been assembled routed the vanguard of the enemy. Bo
by the independents. After a series of was anxious for the opportunity of a
memorable advantages over the Span- decisive engagement, and, in fact, soon
iards, an armistice of six months was ne- obtained a brilliant victory, August 6, on
gotiated at Trujillo, between B. and Mo- the plains of Junin. Leaving Sucre to
rillo, and subscribed November 25th, follow the royalists in their retreat into
1820. Morillo soon afterwards returned Upper Peru, he repaired to Lima, to orto Spain, leaving La Torre in command. ganize the government; and, during his
At the termination of the armistice, B. absence from the army, Sucre gained
made a great effort to finish the war by the splendid victory of Ayacucho. Notha decisive blow, and attained his object ing was now held by the Spaniards in
by vanquishing La Torre, in the famous Peru but the castles of Callao; wlich
battle of Carabobo, leaving to the Span- Rodil maintained for upwards of a year,
iards only the broken firagments of an B. employing all the resources of the
army, which took refuge in Puerto Ca- government for their reduction, until Janbello, and there, after a protracted and uary, 1826. In June, 1825, B. visited
obstinate struggle of more than two years, Upper Peru, which detached itself from
surrendered to general Paez.-The battle the government of Buenos Ayres, and
of Carabobo may be regarded as having was formed into a new republic, named
put an end to the war in Venezuela. B. Bolivia, in honor of the liberator. The
entered Caraccas, June 29th, 1820, having members of the congress of the new renow, for the third time, rescued his na- public, assembled in August, 1825, seentive city from its oppressors, and was re- ed to vie with one another in extravaceived with transports of joy. By the gant resolutions, testifying their gratitude
close of the year, the Spaniards were to B. and Sucre. The former was dedriven from every part of the country, ex- clared perpetual protector of the republic,
cept Puerto Cabello and Quito; and the and requested to prepare for it a constitime was deemed auspicious for establish- tution of government. Returning to Lima,
ing permanent political institutions in he occupied lhillself in performing this
Colombia. The present constitution was task.-We touch now upon a period
completed and adopted August 30th, when B. appears in a new aspect. Hith1821, and B. was elected the first con- erto, we have traced his military career,
stitutional president, with general San- at first uncertain, and abounding in great
tander for vice-president. Having thus reverses, but at length splendidly successachieved the independence of his own ful. hIis remarkablefertility in resources,
country, B. placed himself at the head of his courage, conduct, and preeminent
the liberating army destined to expel the genius for the art of war, are all undeniaSpaniards from Quito and Peru. The ble, and are proved not lessby his brilliant
fate of Quito was decided by -the battle success, than by the testimony of all the
of Pichincha, fought in June, 1822, and most competent judges. But he now
gained by the talents and prowess of comes before us in the capacity of a lawSucre. Aware that the southern prov- giver; and imputations on the purity of
inces of Colombia could never be secure his political views arise contemporaneouswhile Peru remained subject to Spain, ly with his assuming the delicate task of
and anxious to extend the blessings of consolidating the governments which his
independence to all America, B. resolved military prowess had created.-In )Deto march upon Lima, and assist the Peru- cember, 1824, B. issued a decree, convokvians. The royalists, not being prepared ing a constituent congress to assemble in
to reet him, evacuated Lima at his ap- Lima the ensuing February. This body