The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1828-10-09
BOI,JV Ar.

BOLIVAR.
We give below from the hand Of q master,
sketch Of the character of Bolivar. II will he
road with interest, as the work at one who has
uer.onally suffered for the cause Of liberty and
Independence. Senor Vid,urre is truly one OF
,he most distng ushrd patriots, statesmen, ami
iurisconsults, that South America has produced.
He has been Chief Justice aad Minister OF for
eigu affairs in Peru, President OF the Panama
Congress. and member Of the Constitutional
Congress for the city of Lima. This dlstIn-
guished citizen and true republican has been for
some time resident among us, and we speak 1t TO
me honor of Bosto mans, he has received the
kind attentions aud distinguished notice, that
lis high character for Intelligence and devotion
10 the cause of national liberty so well merit.
The following letter pourlravs, we fear too truly,
tine character of Bolivar t8howeser It may dis
appoint the fond hopes Of those, who have de-
lighted to anticipate in Bolivar, the Washington
of south America, Senor Vidaurre has dlschar
eed a duty TO the world in unnasking as he be-
leves, hyprocite aud exposing to public scorn
tie traitor to the sacred cause of liberty. The
ANNEXED translation has been made with care,
but still much oi the force and eloqucncc OF the
original is lost. Boston Patriot.
BosToN oEPT. 10, 1925.
M Denr Friends md ftiiOW CoaHtrymen--
ID is netler frivolous nor blalneabe curios
y TO wish 10 acquaat ones sell with the char
acer fluctuations. religion, aud even physos-
uomy ola General whose name is continually
repeated IN the public papersof America and t'u-
rope. ID is nsetn! aud interesting 20 know him.
Perhaps mankind would have suffered less. il
many OF the scourges whosc pleasure il waste tor
nent them had been carefully observed by
those very persons who abored most IN their
elevation Alas that Agrppina did not fore
see that thu 500 for whom sin" prepared the
throne would give orders for her assassination
Alas that tine English should have though,
they had in CHARLES H. Primes, grateful for the
power which was restored to him Aas that
the Spanards never thought that n King whom
Ihcy redeemed from captivity by their valor and
brave efforts would he an oppressor There are
men vino ought to he described with the same
rxactnrSs as thclrocks AID shoals in the seas,
the volcanoes IN the mountains, the venomous
insects in some unheaithg" countries
Those who believe tilat Bolivar is common
genius, or that his talents are limited ara much
deceived. | answer your letrer with pleasure.
This is an investigation useful both 10 the new
aud old world. But snail he believed No
one witnessed more nearly the rein Of juStinian
and Theodore, than Procopius but Procopius IS
eSfraeagant either in praise on censnle. The
ink If his pen is graduated either by the favor
Notning can ohigc me to dissemble or pervrrt
facts No one promoted me in the Peruvian
Republic, bet the same parsonage whom | now
dcScrioe. never could be put down while re-
lualned on his side. From the country which
deieuded and liberated, expected nothing.
am excited neither by hatred nor hope: conse-
quently must be Just
The physlnenomy ofa man generally di.cov-
e's his passions. 1iherinS mdae d profound
study of dis inhalation. Augustus knew il he.
fare appointing him his successor Bolivar is
oi ordinary stature, very team, complexion be-
tween red and olive, very back coarse hair,
thin in front, broad archrd eyebrows aud very
buShy, an eye of fire, and somewhat suul,en, a
sharp nose, aquiline face, Il body lean, hollow,
ana without AIR or grace, sharp discordant
voice, nlinual motion of the body aud chief
" ofthe hands. 1t is not the portrait Of AtntIa,
"either il IS exactly that Of Theodorc. A strong
memory, sublime poeticni genius, a vast un-
dersranda,g, great ideas, general knowledge,
tase tor military exercises, dislike to the Ia
hir, hatred OF the constitutional laws passion
t"r drspotIsn, misconceIved thirst for glory.
contempt OF money, very strong propensity ID
eecet, frustrated on many occas ons by his ar
Dor and Haprudence. variable in friendship, aus
''fr IN conversation. a satlrical devouier Of
tps" persons who approach him most, and
whom he app ars most 10 distinguish, lssciyious
without love, jealous from pride, Indifferent to
all religion. 10 MOI SPEAK OF his yaor, because
have no proofs oft. In the only two great
battles OF Peru. which were those Of Junin and
A'acucho he had 40 part. Ia the first he
abandoned the field during the second he
was AT the distance OF one hundred and Fifty
leagues.
His principal icfrcts consist in his excessive
iove OF iiaiIefy, and those persons who approve
ana support his opinions q tam the hieh hest es-
teen. lie would wish that men should possess
m"'aliiy but that ynis should Weld on occasion
10 his interests. lis policy consisted n aurac-
hlS all those persons who were distinguished
Tor virtue, talents and yalor, hut that they should
oher n" resistance to hun. lie is not sanguina-
" ny Character. bul bv political necessity. He
"'il never shed drop Of blood for pleasure,
anu he would nundate nations with it, ifthat
would conduce 10 his elevation and grandeur.
ne mas only one passion and one feeling WHICH
s"ays hlm ;other passions and feelings are very
subordinate. ii" wishes to he the Napoleon of
"a. Americas. The deeds of great conouerors
ihh'me MN. | often observed him during the
o"g hours that we were tngrlhei He varied
"ef>'antiy III his feelings briween iov and sad.
nP'S while reading the journal of Count Las
1"S'S' Tie has very strong propensity 10 he
''>'''' nat he p"r>ues contrary course, and
''os' wha call themselves his friends, far frnin
,e'"a'h'ng him. urge him on, that he may rush
oeadon- 10 rum.
, l nave often compared him to the Emperor
.''''''an. lie wishes 10 govern like a despot.
oo' al The same time he desires che right admin
:, 'a''on ofJustice, he deiests venalty. he en-
0''a2eh tue arts and sciences protect. cvm.