The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-08-04

49, ~ ftHf 10 HI Ht1nnF
lance witch attracts the attention of the cum
nereid world. Mr. Webster. in hi. Grafton
aescr'hes them as people who few year
s'neei unknown aud onielt. dependent. en-
hralled aud assaidc mt, are nov self.nais
ed aud self.mosei,' independent aud 6rn
asserting the e1lal rights of man with bold
ness and defending them With unenna1era
bic vnior--as n land Ia which liberal nrinct
! pies end advocates, friends and a resting
place. The Reviewer gives an interesting
sketch OF Colombia, its situation. extent aud
TORN ot government, together with a biogra,
phioai sketch Of Bolivar aud some of his com.
patriots in arms Colombia stretches from L.
To w. $50. aud from ". TO ). Loo miles.
presenting a sea coast OF nearly 5000 miles
~ extent, II Is iaierseotei by the finest rivers.
and variegatel by the richest valleyg in tb,
world. In 1911, the Republic declared ITSELF
independent, and adopted form OF govern
ment, which, in lslo, was abandoned TOR the
present, x formed upon the model Of our own
II IS divided into l. department. or STATES,
which are divided into ~ provinces, aud
these again are sibdiyded into a3a parishes.
The government differs from ours in two par-
ticulars. II IS rather n cenfroi than federaiire
government. The people, or those Of them
who have a certain estate, or exercise some
trade or profession, elect electors every four
years, at their parochial meetings,who choose
the President, Senators aud Representatives.
The departments or states exercise no soYe-
reign power, but are governed by an inten-
dent, who is appointed by the President
Provinces are subject to governors appointed
in the same way. II thus forms one national
government, republican, but not federal. 1t
!, said that this system WAS peculiar favorite
ofGen Bolivar. Considering the widenin
influence ii must necessarily have in forming
The character Of II large and thriving popula-
ton of one Of the finest portions of the earth,
it becomes a subject worthy Of the interest
and enquiry of every liberal mind Al the
Congress Of Caenta, II was decided That Boz
gotta should be the capital I'll a new town
should he built, To be named Bolivar" The
Reviewers say they will embrace an earl y
opportunity 10 give brief sketch Of the his.
tbl - In'ubil iGS hdi lh 'l'' u'''H VI wv
constitutions" We will conclude our notice
of this article with an extract com the Re-
view, which reflects the highest ere ii on the
CoIombians, aud proves, that, whilst they are
free themselves, they are unwilling that aHY
shall bc S!arts:
" One Of the earliest DEGREES of the con-
stituIonal congress was 10 abolish slavery.
No person can be born slave IN Colon"
ba, and the importation of slaves IS prOhl-
bitrd bya severe penalty. Moreover, pro-
vision is made for creating manumlsslnn
fund by a lax, or legacy, which according
to the old Spanish laws of the colonies,
was retained by the government. II IS
gratifying In learn that this law soes into
effect without nppositon from any quarter.
4 large number Of slaves is annually &C.
deemed by the proceeds Of this fapd aud
to make the ceremony of mannmls4ion the
more Impressive and more Joyful II takes
nlacr on the festival days in the month of
December. A strict scrutiny is held by
the highest magistrate, into the eharac-
ter of the slaves proposed to be redeemed,
and those are selected, who are found to
be most worthy. II ought To he mention
ed, also, that instances are frequent IN which
masters voluntarily give freedom to their
slaves" G.iJstract TO be concluded.