The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-08-28
THE HEROINE OF COLOMBIA,

wan published at Jerseyville, Illinois, }
furnishes that paper with the following
translation, from Restrepo's "Historia
de la Revolucion de la Columbia" of
thrilling and soul-harrowing incident,
which occurred during the sanguinary
and successful struggle Of the people
of that country for national freedom.
After The standard of Liberty had
beensraised in all the provinces, and
the people had struck successful blow
for g,ee dom, Morillo, with an oyerwhel.
ming force, reconquered the country for
Spain. During six months this fendsh
savage held undisputed sway over Co
lumbia The best men Of the provinces
were by him seized and shot, and each
of his officers had the power of death
over the inhabitants Of the districts in
which they ~ere stationed. |, was du.
ring his period that the barbarOus ex.
vculj,uof Polcarpa La Salyariets-s
heroic girl Of New Granada -roused the
Patriots once more TO arms, and produ-
ced in them determination to expel
their oppressors or die. This young la
dy was enthusiastically attached 10 the
cause of liberty, and had, by her inAu,
ence. rendered essential aid to The Pat>
riots. The wealth of her father, and
her own superior talents and education,
early excited the hostility Of the Spanish
commander against her and her COM
Emander against her and her family. She
had promised her hand in marriage to a
young officer in The Patriot service, who
had been compelled, by Morillo, to JON
the Spanish army as a private soldier,
La Salvaretta, by means that were
never disclosed, obtained, through him,
an exac, account of the Spanish forces, \
a plan Of their Notifications. The Pat
riots were preparing to strike decisive
blow, and this intelligence was impor-
tsDtto their success. She had induced
Sabariao. her lover, and eight others, to
desert. They were discovered,a and sp.
pretended. The letters Of la Salvari-
eta, found on the person Of her lover,
betrayed her to the vengeance of the ty
rant of her country. She was seized,
brought to the Spanish camp, and tried
by court martial. The highest re-
wards were promised her if she would
disclose the names and plans Other as
sociates. The Inducements proving OF
no avail, torture was employed to wiring
from her the secret, in which so many
of the best families of Colombia were
interested, but even on the rack she per
sisted 10 making no disclosure. The
accomplished young lady. hardly eight
cen years OF age, wac condemned TO be
shot. She calmly and serenely heard
her senteDce, and prepared TO meet her
fate. She confessed TO u catholic priest,
partook of the sacrament, and with a
firm step walked 10 the open square,
where fie Of soldiers, in presence of
Morillo and his officers, we're drawn up
with loaded muskets. Turning, to Mo-
riIlo, she said, 81 shall not die iD vain.
for my blood will raise up heroes from
every hill and valley Of my country"
She had scarcely uttered the above when
Morilo himself gave the signal to the
soldiers to fire, and 10 the next moment
La Salvarielta wss a mangled and bleed
ing corpse. The Spanish officers and
soldiers we're overwhelmed with aston
isbment at the frmuess and patriotism
Of this lovely girl, Sut the effect upon her
own icountymeu was electrical. The
patriots lost no time in flying TO arms, &
their war cry, LA Salvarietta! !" made
every heart barn TO infict vengeance
upon her murderers. 10 a very shorl
time. the army Of Morilo was nearly
cut 10 pieces, and the commander him
selfsscaped death only by flight, and in
disguise.