Star.
London, England, 1821-10-03 00:00:00

COLUMBIA.

The Press already spreads its powerful light over
the South American regions, in proportion as free-
dom accomplishes her triumph over despotism.—
Since May of the present year, three- Public Journals
have been published in the Colombian Republic, be-
side those that had been previously established there.
At Santa Martha, The Gazette of Santa Martha.
At Maracaibo, The Correo National.
At Cucuta, The Equatorial.
All those papers are printed much superior in
manner to the papers of the United States thirty years
ago, and to the papers of England, which how sur-
pass all the world, eighty years ago. Such being
the progress, what may. not be expected from all
South America and Mexico, as free from Royal ty-
ranny as Colombia now is.

COLOMBIAN REPUBLIC.
FROM THE AURORA, SEPTEMBER 3.
'e have received the Gazette of Santa Martha,
down to the 23d of June. The latest number con-
tains copious minutes of the proceedings of the Co-
lombian Congress assembled at Cucuta, and an in-
teresting letter addressed by President Bolivar (al-
ready before the Public), relinquishing into the hands
of the National Representatives, the authority with
which he had been so long invested, and assigning
his motives for declining to resume that station,
should Congress be disposed to reinvest him.
This act appears to have been seriously and long
deliberated, since, upon recurring to the official ac-
count of the battle of Calabozo, of the 24th June
last, it appears that the President, exercising the
high powers-with which he was invested, had placed
General Paez in the chief command of the army.—
That battle placed the Colombian Republic free and
unrestrained by foreign armies, and the occasion
which presented itself, and which indeed appears to
have given unusual energy to the conflict, presented
the fairest occasion, which even on the field of vic-
tory was seized upon.

The conduct of President Bolivar on this occa- ,
sion verifies the predictions of those who knew him '
best, and completes the renown, which will be as
durable as the country to which he has devoted him- I
self, and the history of its vicissitudes, sacrifices, suf-
ferings, self-denials, constancy, and its triumphs—a
people, in fact, whom it is but truth to say, that his I
genius and disinterestedness have regenerated and I
prepared for the independence to which he has led
them. Perhaps there is another trait that is not less
to be admired—the selection of General Paez. A
man of primitive purity of mind and habits—se-
cond only to Bolivar, in the general esteem of their
countrymen.
We have frequently felt an inclination to review
the career of this great man, having abundant,
though not very connected materials. We have seen
in some European print the following lines, which
are certainly both beautiful and true :
44 Vicit miles, visit et obiit this WASININCTOY, .
" Pattiz libertatem, vindieat arnds Boman dux et civb.-
However much we admire the firmness and the
magnanimity of this latest step of President Bolivar,
we certainly consider the step premature. His expe-
rience of affairs in the actual state of the Republic,
before its Constitution has yet received even its cha-
racteristic form; and still more, there is something
due from him to the other parts of South America—
the south and the north look to the Colombian Re-

public—from promised aids, counsels, and co-ope-
ration, which, as a private citizen, he could trot so
effectually render as in that station where he has
been, in fact, the soul of the Revolution. Not that
we suppose that Colombia is wattling of capable and
good men—experience has proved that, however
severe her losses in such men as Palacias, Roscio,
and the gallant and intelligent Cadenio, and an hun-
dred others ; that when occasions have required men,
the occasion has created them, or found them Created
for great occasions. We shall, perhaps, consider this
subject more at large at a future day; we shall now
give a short sketch from the Santa Martha Gazette,
of the Congressional proceedings, and President 80.
livar's letter.
MAY 10.—Congress has been hitherto employed
in the affairs of the internal administration, and the
organization of those affairs which may be denomi-
nated national ; this Congress being, in fact, the first
complete and effective assembly of Representatives
from the several Departments of the whole Republic.
The first measure after the organization of the
Assembly itself, was the confirmation, by an express
resolution, of the appointment of the President and
Vice-President of the Republic, and the continuance
of their functions until the Constitution should be de-
termined, and its forms established permanently.
The 14th of May was assigned for the discussion
of the fundamental principles of the Government,
and the distribution of its functions and powers.
For the definitive union of Cundinamarca and
Venezuela.
And for the Constitutional means of promoting