Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-02-02

fculty we pushed through great crowd
by narrow pair of stairs to a small
room where many females were waiting
the opening of tine great door; some
were seated upon the brick floor, some
upon their cambrick handkerchiefs With
their little feetin white satin shoes with
diamond buckles peering hom under
the black sayay-manto, and many of
them smoking and joking and laughing
with two Colombian officers Mother
aud daughter might be sharing the same
attentions and receiving the same com
pliments without being aware OF the pre-
sence OF one another; thus you see the
utility of these dresses.
After waiting till nearly eleven o.
clock, flourish OF trumpets announced
the approach of Bolivar, and then such
rush OF persons up the stairs, such
pressing and squeezing, that verify
expected to be killed; but We both
grasped the saya of La Sonora, which
unuckily set SO tight to her figure az
not 10 allow US a very firm hold! But
at last the folding doors were thrown
open and we were born along by the
press OF people to the front of the gal
ery, and after recovering from our be-
wilderment we found that we were stop
ped directly in front of the seat prepar-
ed tor Bolivar! 1t was very long hall
with Circular ends and low galleries on
each side, and tie one in which we stood
was SO much elevated that we had a
view of every one. The members OF
Congress were seated under the side
galleries; Canopy of crimson velvet
hung over Boliyar's seat; in front was
long table covered with green cloth
and writing materials, beyond, extend
Ing almost to the door were seats which
were filled with officers, priests, monks,
and other dignitaries, it was carpeted,
and had six splendid chandeliers.
Delightful music al length proclaim
ed the arrival OF the Hero; every one
rose upon his entIance-he passed up
the aisle attended by his four aids and
great number of officers and gentle
men; tie President of the Congress
met him at the termination of it, he
there took off his hal bCwing to the as
sembly, took bis seat. He did not display
that self-possession and ease which L
expected to see in Hero so distinguish
ed, but almost Immediately he appeared
to be absorbed but by one feeling, and
commenced his address, he said: with
great feeling and animation, that he had
accomplished for Peru what he had
pledged to perform, and TO enable him
to do it, he had accepted title which
vas odious to him, that he now renoun-
ced it; that he should hasten to Upper
Peru, and after seeing the provinces in
peace he should fly to Colombia, and
seek that tranquility and retirement
which bis debilitated constitution re-
CURED.
His address was received with the
| loudest acclamatiens of admiral on and
applause and he modestly retired, as he
came, on foot, much to the notification
OF those who had prepared the carriage
tor him.
Our curiosity being satisfied, we made
our way with difficulty through the
crowd, and returned in such plight our
dresses torn, and looking and feeling as
ii we bad been drawn from a steam
bath. But was delighted to have wit
messed such an instance of the noble-
ness and elevation of human nature, as
dis played in that great good man.
After emancipating his country from
the most abject slavery, and establish
ing for it, wise and liberal govern
ment, he declined all power and volun-
tarily retired into private life, renoun-
eng all honors for the simple pleasure
of tranquility and repose. How sublime
he appeared at that moment, when he
preferred to all the distinctions of rank
and power and wealth, the calm enjoy
ments If domestic life ;and how much be
reminded me of those distinguished and
venerable patriots of our own free and
happy land, whose example he initiated.
The spirit of liberty animated the Peru
vians, but there was not found one of
them capable Of directing it, for their
emancipation; they called upon Boil
var; he came, and he conquered! When
he accepted the dictatorship, he told the
people that in one year he would burst
the chains which bound them, and by a
most singular coincidence, the very day
on which the first congress assembled,
was just twelve month, and he then
renowned the power which had been