Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-04-20
THE CITY OF 1oeoTA.
Described by Hon. John Barrett, Now
United States Minister to the Republic
Of Colombia, in a letter to his Mother.

Described by Hon. John Barrett, Now
United States Minister to the Republic
OF Colombia, In a Letter to his Mother.
Soon after his arrival at his present
post Of duty as United States minister
to the South American republic of Col
ombia. Hon. John Barrett sent his
mother. Mrs. Caroline S. Barrett Of Free
port, ILL.,, a letter describing his journey
from the United States, and giving a
description of Bogota and its location,
and OF the legation building in which he
lives. The trail over the mountains be-
gins at Honda. "On the second morning
out" says Mr. Barrett, after an early
breakfast, we started [by saddle mulesJ
on our last long climb up the highest
mountains We had yet crossed in order
to reach the great plateau on which Bo-
gotta Is located. We kept going up and
up until we could look back and see
Viletta like a fairy village far, far below
US. Above US We looked at clouds, which
presently We entered and passed through
until the magnificent valley below was
entirely obscured. Then, as we climbed
higher and higher. the sun grew stronger
and the clouds disappeared, and there
appeared before our eyes one of the
grandest views that / have ever wit
messed. In every direction there were
mountains piled on mountains, and we
could see the silvery lines of rivers and
tributary streams finding their way to
the Magdalena.
BY noon we had reached a point
practically 5000 feet above the level Of
the sea, and the highest point en- route
| to Bogota- We then descended about
500 feet along a devious way until, maxi
| ing a sudden turn, we saw before US the
beautiful savannas, or plains, on which
Bogota is located. Then realized why
it was that the Spaniards had in the early
days placed this city up here in the
mountains. These plains cover an area
OF some 5000 square miles, almost as
level as a floor and. although FIVE de-
grees north of the equator, have climate
| like that OF the temperate zone. These
exquisite savannas are surrounded on
| every side by mountains running up
| several thousand feet above the plateau.
We reached Facatativa, where the rail-
road begins that runs into Bogota, about
2.30 in the afternoon. There we were
met by a special train provided by the
government By o'clock l had entered
the house that is the legation, and where
expect to make my residence for the
next year.
while the front Of the house is not
particularly imposing, having only one
story on the street, it is of typical Span
ish architecture, with an open patio in
the centre and rooms running around the
four sides. 1t is larger and more COM
Portable than had expected, and after
making some improvements I think I
snail find 1t quite satisfactory. In front
is one large reception room with re-
spectively a good sized waiting room and
smoking room opening of it, On one
side Of the patio is my private office and
a room for the legation archives a large
bedroom for myself and the office and
bedroom of the secretary of legation.
On another side are the kitchen, pantries,
dining room and servants quarters.
There is large open space between the
rooms and the patio, suitable for recep-
tions, parties or even dancing In case OF
a party being held Down below there is
a sort OF basement for storage purposes
z In the rear Of the house are two small
1 compounds, or yards. which touch on q
' small river which runs through the centre
OF the city. There are electric lights
quiet, being located on a side street, bu
5 still close to the principal business av
> enues.
9 'Bogota is a typical old-time Spanish
; city, entirely different from anything tina
i we have in the United States and mucl
: more old style than any OF the othe
: Latin cities have ever seen. The climat
n is remarkably cool; in fact, It is mucI
: cooler, on the average for the year roun'
: although we are nearly f1ve degrees neare
s the equator than New York or Boston
e Today / have actually shivered from tn
d cold. II is indeed a decided contras
n to Panama. have not felt an,
v bad effects from the high altitude YET
but am conscious that the air is muc
more rarified than at lower levels. Every
" body here has good color and the ap
= pearance Of residing in a temperat
zone.
:, IT am particularly struck with tn
4 treatment / have received from tn
= Colombian officials and hope that
shall be able to reciprocate and do every
II. thing In my power for the betterment c
E. the relations between the two republics.