A civil war commenced to subdue those places which aimed at independence, or, according to their own language, resolved on a government of federa tive republics. After much savage warfare, these federalists were subdued, and a congress was assem bled. Disputes arose among the members about their nomination, and, with a few impracticable de crees, they soon separated, without allaying the fer ment, or suspending the general hostilities, that co vered the face of the country.
The separation of the first congress took place within six months of the commencement of the in surrection, in December 1810, or January 1811, and left the whole country suffering under internal hos tilities of the most ferocious description.
During the year 1811, Tacon, the Spanish go vernor of Popayan, maintained a feeble resistance; but at length he liberated and organized the negro slaves, and, at the head of these black royalists, an noyed the republicans on the side of Pastos, whilst the people of Maracaybo, and of Santa Marta, conti nued their opposition in two other quarters. This opposition of the royalists occasioned, however, but trifling evils, when compared with the sufferings which the different parties of the republicans inflict ed on each. other.
Another congress was assembled, consisting of the representatives of Pamplona, Tunja, Neyva, Cartha gena, and Antioquia, -whilst an assembly, under the title of Colegio Electoral sat, deputed by the province of Santa Fe, now Called by them eundinamarca. Each of these bodies formed pro jects of constitutions, but neither would accept that framed by the other. It would be tiresome to give even the briefest abstract of the projects and the ar guments of the parties, which are, however, re corded in most voluminous state papers. The con gress of Cundinamarca, from fear of the populace of its capital, removed its sittings to Tunja. Whilst there, they chose for their president one Narino, who had been a spectator of the French Revolution, and who had returned to his native province full Of the projects and language to which it gave birth. Ha ving the command of the troops, he proceeded to disperse the congress • but the division dispatched for that pqrpose refused to act, and, suddenly chan ging sides, declared for the congress. Narino had still a considerable force which was attached to him ; more than equal, indeed, to the part that had desert ed him. The congress vested the command of the army, which opposed Narino, in Baraya, the officer employed to dissolve them, and who was accused of having been withdrawn from his obedience to Nari no by a considerable bribe.
A civil war now spread over the country. Nari
no was twice defeated ; and, in consequence of it, the army under Baraya was enabled to besiege San ta Fe, the capital, which was possessed by the par tizans of Narino. That chief proposed to surrender upon terms which the besiegers refused. It was at tempted to be stormed; but the besiegers were re pulsed with such loss, that their army was dispersed, only a small division making good its retreat to Tunja.
Whilst these events were passing in the centre of the viceroyalty, the southern part became equally agitated. The city of Quito had a junta, and, as we have before stated, acknowledged the authority of the regency of Cadiz. From the turbulent state of the populace, it could, however, scarcely keep the full exercise of authority. The royalist province of Cuenca, which adjoined it, had organized a military force. The regency at Cadiz had nominated a new governor of Quito, who was escorted to his govern ment by a body of troops from Lima. The junta of Quito, though willing to receive a governor from Cadiz, would not permit him to enter with the royal troops, and formed an army to oppose him. The troops from Cuenca, and those from Lima, after some opposition, took Quito, and installed the new go vernor. He immediately commenced operations against the republicans. Upon this, the congress and Narino suddenly adjusted their disputes, and he was placed in the command of the united army to oppose the royalists from the south. Narino, at the head of 8000 men, engaged the royal army, commanded by Samano, and defeated it; but it rallied, was rein forced, and fought two other battles with similar success. By these events Narino became master of Popayan, and began to organize something, like a go vernment. The royalists were dispersed, rather than destroyed, and, retiring to the impregnable moun tains of Pastos, maintained an incursive and preda tory warfare. Narino followed them to their for tresses, and carried the strong position, called Alto de Juanamba, but with prodigious loss. He advan ced to attack the town of Pastos ; but a report, in the moment of commencing the assault, that he was taken prisoner, having spread among his troops, it produced confusion. The royalists suddenly became the assailants, and dispersed the irregular troops he commanded. He was made a prisoner, and with him the hopes of success to the southward of Po payan terminated. His life was spared ; he was conducted to Quito, thence to Lima, and has since been transferred to Spain, where he is said to be chained for life in one of the dungeons in the vici nity of Cadiz. The event that terminated his career happened in June 1814.