Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-10-22
BOLIVAR.
BosToN, September ID, 1928.

BosToN, September 10, 1875.
.My dear Friend and FellOaO COntryman:
1t is neither frivolous nor blameable
curiosity to wish to acquaint ones selfwith
the character. inclinatons, religion, and
even physiognomy of a General whose
name is continually repeated in the public
igapers of America and Europe. 1t IS use
/ hl and interesting TO know him. Perhaps
mankind would have suffered less, ifmany
ofthe scourges whose pleasure it was to
torment them, had been carefully observed
Iby hose very persons who laboured most
lin their elevation. Alas that Agrippina did
mot foresee that the son for whom she pre-
pared the throne would give orders for her
/ assassination Alas that the English
should have thought they had in Charles
I H. Prince grateful for the power which
was restored TO him Alas that the Span
Iiards never thought that a King whom they
redeemed from captivity by their valor and
brave efforts, would be an Oppressor =
There are men who ought to be described
with the same eXactness as rocks 81 shoals
in the seas, the volcanoes in the mountains,
the venomous insects in some unhealthy
countries.
Those who believe that Bolivar is com
mon genius; or that his talents are limited,
are much deceived. l answer your letter
with Measure. This is an investigation
useful both to the new and the old word
But shah I be believed No one witnessed
more nearly the reign of Justinian and
( Theodore, than Procopius, but Procopiqs
is exrayaCant either in praise or censure.
! The ink of bis pen is graduated either by
the favor or neglect which hercceives from
the Court. Nothing canob,ige ne TO dis
semble or pervert facts. No one promoted
me in the Peruvian Republic, but the same
parsonage whom now describe. never
could be put down while | remained on his
side. From the country which | defended
and liberated | expected nothing. | am
excited neither by hatred por hope conse-
quently | must be Just.
The physiognomy of a man generally
discovers his passions. Tibenus made a
profound study of assimilation. August
us knew it before appointing his successor.
Bolivar is of ordinary stature, very lean,
complexion between red and olive, very
black coarse hair, Thin in front, broad arch
ed eyebrows and very bushy, an eye of
fire and somewhat sunken, a sharp nose,
aquiline face, body lean, hollow, and
without air or grace, a sharp, discordant
voice, a continual motion of the body, and
chiefly of the hands. 1t is not the portrait
of Attila, neither is it exactly that of Theo-
doric. A strong memory, a sublime poeti-
cal genius, a vast understanding, great
ideas, general knowledge, a taste for mill
tary exercises, dislike to the table, hatred
to the constitutional laws, passion for des-
potism, a misconceiyed thirst for glory,
contempt of money, a very strong propen-
sity 10 deceit, frustrated on many occasions
by his ardor and impudence. variable in
friendship, austere in conversation, a satir-
lCdl UGN III u tllo5- pei 9Dli1 Wiz ppLDdCu
him most, and whom he appears most to
distinguish, lascivious without love, Jealous
from pride. indifferent to allreligion. do
not speak Of his valor, because / have no
proofs oft. In the only two great battles
lof Peru, which were those Of Junin and
IAaycucbc, he bad 10 part IN the first ne
abandoned the fed; during The second he
was Of the distance Of one hundred and
| fifty leagues.
His principal defects consist in his ex-
cessive love Of aattery, and those persons
who approve and support his opinions OBJ
tain the highest esteem. He would wish
that men should possess morality, but that
this should yield on occasion to his interest.
His policy consisted in attracting all those
persons who are distinguished for virtue,
talents and valor, but that they should offer
no resistance to him. Hell not sanguina-
! ~ BY character. but by political necessity.