Star.
London, England, 1830-01-21 00:00:00

Qui capit, We facit,—Sir Jemmy.
PHILO-SIDNEY.

January 18, 1830.

In consequence of the large muses of ice having cut
eff all communication by boats between persons on shore
and those on board the Tender, lying off the Tower, an
ingenious contrivance has been adopted, by fixing two
strong ropes to the bulwark of the vessel, the extremities
being fastened on shore, upon which a box, or chair, ca-
pable of holding three individuals, is made to slide up and
down at pleasure, to which are attached four rings, through
which is inserted another rope that is held by three on
board, who superintended its management. By this sim-
ple and useful machine, persons are conveyed to sad from
'chore with great facility, and perfect security.

COLUMBIA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
LETTER XXII.

Bogota. Ocs. 12.11149.

Si a—ln the higher classes of the Columbia* nation,
there are many men of great intelligence, patriotism, and
energy of character ; amongst the youth, much desire for
study, a good disposition, and a high degree of intellectual
spirit are to be observed ; but unfortunately, in their ea-
gerness for information, they have read all the books
which chance provided,without any method or due selec-
tion—mingling most objectionable works of every de-
scription, and unable to distinguish glitter from gold,
their ardent imagination gave the preference to those
which were remarkable for the violent exaggerations,
on social and religious subjects. In consequence, they
adopted as dogmas the most absurd principles, and the
most erroneous in matters of Government and Legislation
—relinquishing also the instruction of religion ; nor did
they substitute in its place the precepts of a sound
morality.

The effects of the colonial regime, and the political
disorders of Columbia, since her existence, affect her in-
terests at every step. Egotism is prevalent, and there is
much apathy on every subject of public concern, except
on that of independence.

The isolation in which we have lived has been augmented
by the conflict of opinions. This aversion to sociability
is the more to be regretted as it has increased the mis-
trusts, the resentments, and the ignoble passions, which
were generated by the convulsions, and provisional state
of Cambia. It is, therefore, very desirable that social
re-unions should be encouraged, which will become more
valuable as public distractions cease to interfere with a
rational existence.

In this manner, our habits, and a taste for enjoyments,
will appease animosities and rancour; and intercourse will
permit frequent explanations, tending to establish friend-
ships between persons who only entertain shades of dif-
ference in their opinions.
" Calm of mind, true evidence of force, is the only

guage of the just measure of things." This calm is of
the first necessity, and to promote it, is the first duty of
all Columbiana, but hitherto, unhappily, we have been
far from possessing it.

Political intolerance has been enthroned in the coun-
try, more even than religious.
Whether it be the result of the little practice we have
had in the exercise of liberty, or of the rancours pro-
duced by the disorders which have afflicted the Republic,
every thing is seen through the prism of passion, and it
suffices for two persons to think differently, for them to
avoid each other, to consider each as mutual enemies,
and even to desire their proscription.
The Columbiana have not learnt to respect recipro-
cally the liberty of thinking, and of the expression of their
thought, and I regret to say, that many who style them-
selves the most liberal, are those who practise the
least liberality, since they hate to the death others who,
differing from them in ideas, endeavour in good faith to
prevent our Holy Revolution from being stained with
excesses and crimes.

Columbia being divided into 'distinct parties, one de-
siring liberty, the other political libertinage ; one the
periodical renewal of public functionaries, the other
their stability ; one the federative system, the other
the monarchical ; the Republic is in a difficult posi-
tion, from which, however, she will be extricated by
the powerful and patriotic co-operation of the Li az-
AATOR PRESIDENT, and the ability and prudence which
(it is hoped) the ensuing Congress will display, in con-
junction with the influence and exertions of the most
distinguished and most sensible men of the country. But
it is not fitting that these last should maintain a silence
as to their opinions. Why should they fear to make
public their thoughts, when there is full liberty to give
them expression ? Those who suppress them from ill-
founded apprehension—those who suffer them to tran-
spire in coteries, will have no right to complain of the
fathers of the country, if these directors of the national
destinies, should err, from want of true lights,with regard
to public opinion, and the measures which the public
feeling requires. Do the indifferent, the egoists, the in-
telligent, but who do not perform their duty, imagine a
State can be saved by silence or timidity ? To complete
the picture of our social state, it is necessary
to advert to our religious establishments. I will make
known with candour, though with that respect which is
due to so delicate a subject, the obser►ations which I
have made thereon :
Religion, (as one of our most distinguished public
functionaries has remarked,) was reduced in Columbia to
exterior and superstitious ceremonies—there was also a
luxury introduced, the cost of which might have been ap-
plied to objects more useful to humanity, and therefore
more acceptable to the CREATOR. The Ministers of reli-
gion possess considerable influence over the lower class
of the people, and not a little over the middling, and oven
amongst many of the highest class. Our Clergy, rich
and respected, has been eminently patriotic, and rendered
great services to the cause of independence. It merits,
therefore, our gratitude. The Members of the Hierarchy
are remarkable for virtue and learning, but the inferior
Clergy is not so well qualified, and ecclesiastical dis-
cipline is much relaxed. In dwellings where morality
and concord should only reside, immorality and discord
are to be met with ; the law for the suppression of the
minor convents has not been complied with, and the
lazy corporations (the monks) have been in some instances
re-established.

" After the Gods," says a great writer, " legislation
is in my eyes the most important, as it is an emanation
from divinity itself. In her resides the public conscience
of humanity ; it is her province to form private con-
sciences to direct and command them." Unhappily, le-
gislation is in that state in Columbia, that no one knows
the positive rule for his conduct in civil society. It is an
occult science, and the legislator himself would be em-
barrassed to interpret it.
There were ancient Laws of the seven Partidas,• of
the compilations of Castille and the Indies, the Ordi-
nances of Bilbao, of the Intendants of the Army, the
Generals of the Naval force called Mazarido, of Gran-
dillan, a multitude of Pragmatic Sanctions, Royal Re-
scripts, Degrees, Orders, and Resolutions, which we
inherited from Spain, and which form part of the laws
made by the authorities of Columbia. The Estravagastes,
the Clementistas, the Council Generals, the decision
of the Rota, the Provincials, the Diocesan Synods, in
accordance with the Council of the Indies; and more than►
three thousand Bulls, Encyclical., and Rescripts, which

• Laws of Fl
t Paste's! Ls

&tad Castro e.
•: . . • - loatofz,

are contained in the great collection of Papal Bulls, form
also part of our code." Would any one wish to multiply
our laws ? who can understand and expound those in ex-
istence ? Is it not monstrous to preserve laws of the
Spanish monarchy, which are antiquated, obsolete,
which even if they were not in direct opposition to our
system of government, might, in certain cases, be used
by ignorance or,malice ? which might permit application
of the law, so contrary to equity, that the very possibility
ought to be avoided. On the other hand our Congresses
and Executive, have made a multitude of decrees and
regulations, and substituted one for another ; so that the
greatest perplexity arises in reference to the General
Code; so at one moment we meet with on authority op-
posed. to another authority, and a law in lieu of another
law. Can we be happy in the midst of such a legislative
chaos ?