Circumstances have transpired, within the two last years, which place Colombia and the new sovereignties of Peru and Bolivia, alike under the absolute control of one fortunate man. Whether his acts are dictated by the pure patriotism, which the world demands of him, it is for events to show. Those countries, thus far, have afforded much for the pen of history to record; and the sequel, we venture not to predict. Peru and Bolivia are just emancipated from the Spanish yoke; and the republic of Colombia has, unhappily, been agitated by dangerous intestine discords. Dissatisfaction at the operation of the central system on some of the provinces, augmented by local causes, and acting the more effectually, on account of the absence of Bolivar in Peru ;-

such have been, at least, the visible causes of disturbance, which still seems to have a deeper foundation.

During the year 1825, few events occurred in COLOMBIA of great historical importance. Conformably to the constitution, the congress assembled January 2d, 1825; the vice-president, Francisco de Paula Santander exercising the executive functions, in place of the president. The session closed the beginning of May; and although many useful laws were passed by congress, it was charged with relying too implicitly in the integrity of the executive.

At the end of the preceding year, Bolivar was unanimously reelected president. He signified to the senate his wish to renounce the presidency; his determination, he said,always having been to withdraw

from public life, when an enemy of Colombia was no longer to be found in America. The victories in Peru had achieved this glorious result. He was anxious, also, he said, to satisfy the world of his abhorrence of supreme power, by retiring into the capacity of a private citizen; thus proving, that his exertions in the cause of liberty, had not been prompted by ambition. This apparently patriotic surrender of his authority, now made, for the third time, in the midst of victories, was not accepted.

In May, a treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Colombia, was concluded, on the most liberal principles of mutual benefit. A similar treaty with Great Britain was negotiated in the same year; and Sr. Hurtado was formally accredited at the court of St. James, as Colombian minister, being the first ambassador of the Spanish American states, who received that ho

nor.

To evince the cordial co-operation of Colombia, in establishing the principles of liberty, it should be mentioned, that she passed a law for inflicting the punishment of death on all citizens of the republic, engaged in the slave trade. All ships introducing slaves into Colombia, were made subject to confiscation, and the crew, if foreigners, to imprisonment for ten

years; the slaves imported, either to be sent out of the country, or to remain there free, as they pleased.

Rumors frequently prevailed, late in 1825, and early in 1826, of an intended expedition against Cuba, either on the part of Colombia alone, or of Colombia and Mexico, jointly. They were founded, however, it is probable, merely on conjecture, or, perhaps, on the convenience and opportunity of invading that island. Although a considerable fleet was in preparation on the Atlantic coast, yet it was not believed to be with an immediate view to any expedition against Havana; however desirable such a thing might be, when the forces of the republic were better consolidated. Besides, policy dictated that the alliance of the new states, projected by the contemplated congress of Panama, should undertake the invasion in concert, if done at all.

The address of the vice-president, Santander, made at the opening of the congress in January, 1826, is a valuable state paper, presenting a full view of the concerns of the republic during the year, which had just expired.

In March, general Santander offered to resign his office, assigning for reason, the necessity in a republic of rotation in office, and the peculiar danger of having military men continue in authority for

a succession of years. It may be, that he anticipated the discords which were about to agitate his country, and wished to escape the impending storm; for if the liberties of the republic had any thing to fear from Santander, as a soldier ; how much more, then, from the overpowering ascendancy of Bolivar ?

An extraordinary session of congress was convened at Bogota, May 3d, to provide means for paying the interest of the public debt, in consequence of the failure of Peru to obtain a loan, for money which being due to Colombia, had been expected and calculated upon by this republic, in her financial arrangements. No other source of care to the government was then anticipated, except the ordinary subjects of internal administration. But events were already transpiring, which would demand its most anxious attention. Before narrating them, however, we must describe the doings of the liberating army, sent to aid the Peru

vians.

The independence of Upper and Lower PERU, was accomplished by the decisive victory of Ayacucho, fought December 9th, 1824. Bolivar was then at Lima, invested with dictatorial powers, and the main body of the liberating army from Colombia, was commanded by Antonio Jose de Sucre. Five

months of skilful manœuvering on either side, preceded the battle. Various marches and countermarches, and frequent skirmishes, took place in that interval; the Colombians moving in a retrograde direction, and the royalists seeking to outflank the retreating troops. Sucre offered La Serna battle on equal terms at Matara, December 2d; but the viceroy declined it. The next day, however, the royalists attacked the patriots in their rear, and under circumstances very disadvantageous to the latter; but Sucre succeeded in extricating his army after losing 300 men, with his entire park, and one of his two pieces of artillery. This little success so elated La Serna, that he resolved to engage the Colombians.

The two armies continued in motion side by side, for several days; Sucre daily losing men and baggage, and pursuing his retreat. His situation was growing more and more desperate every day. The royalists took strong positions, where they could not be attacked but with a certainty of repulse; and confident of success, sent forward a detachment to destroy the bridges and roads, and thus arrest Sucre's progress. At length, La Serna deemed, that he had taken his measures with so much precaution, that he could not fail of victory.

The morning of the 9th of De

cember, beheld the two armies drawn up in order of battle, to decide the fate of Peru. The disposable force of the royalists consisted of 9,310 men, that of the patriots of 5,780. Both sides felt eager to engage. Sucre occupied a position on the plain of Ayacucho, on a field sloping to the rear, and flanked with ravines. La Serna, having posted his army on the heights in front of the patriots, planted five pieces at the foot of the hill, which commanded their camp. giving orders to force this position, the royalists formed and descended the hill with great rapidity to anticipate his attack, and defend their artillery.

Sucre,

The Spanish commenced their assault upon the Colombian left wing, commanded by general La Mar, pressing it with great vigor. Sucre, observing this, and that the Spanish centre was not drawn up in order, sent a reinforcement to general La Mar, and commanded general Cordova with the Colombian right division to charge, under cover of the cavalry of general 'Miller. This division marched with arms supported until within one hundred paces of the enemy; when, being charged by eight Spanish squadrons, they fired, rushed forward, and drove the royalists before them by their impetuosity. In the mean time, the Spanish

right endeavoring to penetrate be tween La Mar and Cordova, the hussars of Junin charged them in flank and obtained a complete victory; while the mounted grenadiers of Colombia, quitting their saddles, charged the Spanish infantry on foot, from the right flank of the patriots, with equal success. After an engagement of one hour and twenty minutes, the Spaniards gave way in every direction, and the rout became complete throughout the field. La Serna, the viceroy, was pursued and taken prisoner ; and general Canterac, the second in command, accounting farther resistance mere desperation, capitulated on the same day.

Of the patriots only 370 were killed. The royalists, on the other hand, lost 1,800 in killed. By the terms of capitulation, all the Spanish possessions in Peru were given up, including the castles of Callao, and all the officers, stores, military magazines, and arms, remained in the possession of the liberating army. Never was a victory more complete or decisive.

The patriot army had retreated from Cuzco to Huamanga, a distance of eighty leagues, always in the face of a superior enemy; and their success at Ayacucho, came opportunely to remove the public despondency. News of the victory quickly reached Lima; and there,

as well as all over Spanish America, the rejoicings were enthusiastic, at this glorious conclusion of the campaign.

Agreeably to the capitulation, Bolivar caused the Spanish officers to be embarked for Europe, in a French vessel. The Spaniards were less honorable on their part, Rodil, commandant of the castles of Callao, refusing to surrender, in compliance with the capitulation; and general Olaneta holding out, with a small force, in Upper Peru. Olaneta had acted independent of the viceroy some months prior to his surrender; and now published proclamations at Oruro, declaring his design to defend the country above the Desaguaddero. Sucre, however, advanced upon him; and in March, had fixed his head quarters at La Paz, and shortly afterwards, occupied Potosi. Olaneta's force had now dwindled away by desertion and death, to 700 men; with which he retreated into the province of Salta. At Tamusla, they were attacked by colonel Medina Celi, in the beginning of April, and totally defeated; Olaneta himself being mortally wounded in the engagement.

Rodil obstinately defended the castles of Callao, for upwards of a year. Bolivar, so soon as Rodil refused to abide by Canterac's capitulation, issued a proclamation

declaring Callao to be in strict blockade; and that Rodil, by his conduct in holding the castles,should be considered as having separated himself from the Spanish nation; and cut off, from all the rights of nations. Adequate forces were also assembled by sea and land, and the castles closely invested. During the first months of the blockade, the Liberator was indefatigable in his personal attendance to the duties of the camp; perfectly indifferent on the score of personal danger. The patriots erected a battery within gun shot of Callao; and the besiegers and besieged continually fired upon each other, but without much effect. Rodil was well supplied with stores and ammunition; and rejected every proposal for his surrender. All the foreign shipping on the coast sustained so much inconvenience for want of the fine bay of Callao; they being obliged during the continuance of the siege, to discharge their cargoes in an open road stead at Chorillas, that in August, offers of mediation were made by the officers of the British squadron on the station, but to no purpose. Rodil obstinately persisted in maintaining the castles, without any possible benefit to his country.

The Peruvians were therefore obliged still to keep up a large force before Callao, at an immense expense, assisted by a Chi