Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-10-16
THE FIRST GENERAL CONGRESS IN
COLOMBIA

COLOMBIA.
To all the people and troops both by sea and
land of the republic.
CotombtdnS.-You representatives assem-
bled In this first general Congress, have the
pleasure OF announcing to you that you date
| from this day new epoch, when your wishes
are to be realized, your sacrifices reauitcd, and
the hopes of your future felicity, ensured to
you forever. Your fellow citizens, to whom
you have entrusted the sovereign Legislative
power, while they duly appreciate the high
honor with which you have distinguished them,
are IN no small degree sensible of the enormous
weight of responsibility wherewith they are
| subjected by the trust you have reposed in
| their hands
After eleven years of incaculable calamities
and commissions, which have rent in twain our
country, discovered the bonds of social order,
Danlshed the arts of peace to introduce the ex-
erclse OF arms, and closed the source of pub
lie and private wealth, your representatives
would have despaired of ever fulfilling the du-
nes OF their high trust, were not their conf
dence placed on the dispositions of people
worthy of being free, and especially on the as
sistance OF that Providence which delights in
making man happy. Impressed with these
sentiments at the beginning of their task, they
forthwith proceeded to the revisal of the fun
damental law, which is to fix the destinies of
this rising society; and after deep and impair
hal discussions the representatives of what
was once termed captain generalship of We
neZuela, and vlce-kngdom of New Granada,
assembled III general convention on the 18th
OF June last, have sanctioned the union of both
people In one body of the nation, forming an
only republic, under the express clause that its
government be popular representative.
This solemn declaration ofthe general will,
proclaimed by your legitimate representatives,
offers to your sight, Colombians, rising re-
public to an immense tract of land blessed
with the most precious gifts of benefcent
froudence-peopled by men who have pre-
ierred death TO an ignominious slavery, sane
tilted with the martyrdOm of its sage, and no.
nOred with the blood of its heroes Such is
Colombians, the country which you have won
as the reward of your perseverance, your vr-
tues and your suilerings. Such the nation
whose existence commended to the auspices
OF this day, Will rapidly advance through the
stages OF glory and prosperity, unforeseen by
human wisdom. BY presenting herself strong
and respectable to the nations Of the world
, with whom she is about to form amicable CON
t nexiOns, by crossing the ocean with the rich
products of her soil, she will become more and
, more feared by those who dare to dispute the
rights allottedto her by theSovereign Founder
Of all societies.
Your representatives, with all the efforts oil
their knowledge, zeal and patriotism, hasten to
dedicate to you the results of such a happy
union. government, whose legislative and
executive authorities will be welded by citi-
zens whom you yourselves will periodically
elect; proper division Ofthe country, for the
most speedy administration of Justice indivi-
! dual safety economy in the disbursement:
I authorised by your representatives a sacred
NaulN. Ifeus.. Of 81
public faith the Liberty of thctPress, which
r promulgates and ensures the spirit of freedom
: Such are, in short, the institutions insepara
+ bic from our rising republic, and whose estab
\ lishmcnt deyoives upon the general congress
y And we, worthy defenders of Colombia
Z whom numberless perils and keen hardshp
e have but fortified in the inhexible resolution
Il OF cementiDg the liberty Of your country OF
the bases OF its independence: VIC who, by
% linked series of triumphs have blessed il will
r. this day Of glory and ioyfuness, accept in tn
name Of your fellow citizens all that is mos
tendcr-mOst expressiye-the national graft
tude. The general Congress Of Colombia, a
a work of your hands, seizes this opportunit,
Of rendering their most cordial congratlila
tons TO all the troops of the repubIic-to al
ID It's brave officers Of all ranks-aud more 50
. 10 those valiant chieftains, whose spirit, wis
'e dom and constancy in the wOful periods o
expiring liberty, protected with vigorous i'm
pulse its holy cause, until consolidating victor
b by the expulsion Of the foe. Congress, ami
the eiiusiOns Of It's sentiments, allots a very con
= spicuous place to the Liberator, who wit
so much glory, has led you to arms, an
whose eminent services and indcfatigable per5c
gerance during the course Of our contest, hav
w. covered his brow with never failing tropliC
ie --our eternal acknowledgment.
"a SoiIiels-Follow up your triunphs, u1t
BE- you have forever expelled the remnant Of m