Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-04
From the Baltimore Ameriean, Dec. 2.

COLOMBIA.
The movements of General Paez in Venezue.
la, which has for some time past been much
talked OF, and variously explained, may receive
some illustration from the following facts The
fifth article in the North American Review,
gives more particular details on the same sub.
ject.
The first efforts towards liberty in Colon
bia, as III the other Spanish provinces, though
they were Simultaneous, were not made in CON-
cert. The provincial assemblies represented
often no more than one or two provinces, and
sometimes single city. The necessity Of con-
cert led them next to a general meeting of de-
lega,es from the revolted provinces, with no O.
,her intent, however, on the part of many Of
the states, than to expel the common enemy,
but to maintain their sovereignty Several, and
amongst them Venezuela, declared themselves
| independent states. Their views Of combina-
ton, therefore, looked rather TO an alliance Of
| fensiye and defensive, than 10 tederatiye gov
erpment; and even those who entertain an idea
Of the last, contemplated only temporary one.
| The first formal union Of the provinces took
| place on the 18th of December, 1919, at Argos
| tura, when the captan-general ship of Carac
cas- or Venezuela, and the vice-royalty of New
Grenada united. The provinces composing
these two districts, had, before this time, gra-
dually coalesced under their respective indie
! pend, nces, often without any formal act, and
taking orders from the capital Of the depart
| ment, as it were from the mere necessity Of
concert, and as II they had forgotten their pre-
vious declarations ofindependence From Bo-
livar's speech, delivered, to this Congress of
Angostura, he seems TO have contemplated
government somewhat resembling the one since
adopted; but it was not ill May 1921, ten years
after the commencement of The revolutionary
war, that the Congress Of Cucuta, generally
called the Constituent Congress, assembled,
which published the Constitution on the 3oth
of the following August.
The government established BY this congress
was, as is well known, central or consolidated.
But its members are understood to have been
divided into three parties; those in favor Of the
form finally adopted, -those who preferred
federal form like our own,-and, lastly, those
who inclined to government somewhat re-
sembling that which existed in the u. States
under the articles Of confederation. The pre-
sent constitution, however, was almost unani.
mously preferred But many agreed to it as
being necessary while the war continued, look
ing nevertheless to the return of peace for an
opportunity of establishing different and more
perfect form. And with this view clause was
introduced, directing convention TO be called
at the end OF ten years, 10 examine, or entirely
reform the present constitution.
When it is considered, says the Review from
which we collect these facts, that there existed
not in Colombia, as there did in this country,
separate states, with separate legislatures; that
the question was not, among US, whether
these distinct soUereigntes should confederate,
but that it would have been necessary, in fact,
first 10 create, and then unite them; and that the
materials for state legislatures and for their ex-
ecutive offices,-if they were 10 be found at all
were Of the rudest character; it is not to be
wondered at, nor regretted, that the statesmen
Of Colombia did not attempt, during the raging
of a civil war, to create federal government;
and the operation of the present one has been
thus far happy and successful.
The party, however, denominated The Fede-
ralists, is numerous, and embraces some of the
most intelligent and worthy statesmen of the
republic. But they are almost unanimously
DESTROYS Of letting the sub ect rest during the
constitutional period, though some Impotence
has been manifested in Venezuela; and indeed
the distance of the seat Of the central govern
ment from the extremeties of the republic, is
productive OF much delay of justice, and of 9TH
er Inconvenience, which have led to the idea
of dividing the state into three great depart
ments OF sovereignties, cores bonding with the
ancient viceroyaty of New Granada, the cap
tain genera-ship Of Caracas, or Venezuela, and
the presidency of Quito. But the danger of
separation would be much increased by the
creation of three great states, so equal in pop
ulation and territory. 1t were better to adopt
a more minute subdivision; and so sensible are
many of the Ftdsrahsts Of this, that rather than
have only three great sovereignties, they would
be content that the government should remain
in its present form.
We should certainly regret that this state Of
things in Colombia, should seem to its people
to make it expedient TO invest Bolivar with
temporary dictatorship. There is, we hope, a
less violent method of composing the differ
ences of parties But if not, we trust that the
Libera,or will not be unmindful Of the glory to
be gained by a"secon1 time laying down the
Dictatorship"
Total loss Of the Colombian Brigantine Caro-
line, on her passage from Wilmington, N. c.
to Puerto Cabelo, at which place she was
owned.
The Caroline sailed from Wilmington the