BOLIVAR CITY. See ANGOSTURA, ante.
num, Szmox (named EL Libertador, for having rescued South America from the Spanish yoke), was born at Caracas, July 25, 1783, descended from a noble and wealthy family. Having studied law at Madrid, he traveled extensively on the continent, mar ried, and returned to his native country, where his wife soon atter died. On her death, he again visited Europe, and in 1809 the United States, from which he returned with the determination to free his country from foreign despotism. Arriving at Venezuela, lie at once associated himself with the patriots there; and after the insurrection of Caracas, April 19, 1810, he was sent to London with a view to interest the British cabinet in their aims. The British 'government, however, declaring its neutrality,. B. speedily returned, and fought under gen. Miranda in several successful engagements. The Spaniards having again obtained possession of Venezuela, 13. had to flee to Curacoa. Ile did not, however, remain long inactive. Sympathized with by the republican president of .New Granada, he raised a force of volunteers; defeated the Spaniards seVeral times, his army increasing with each victory; and on Aug. 4, 1813, entered Caracas its a conqueror, Was; hailed as the liberator of Venezuela, and made absolute dictator in all civil and military affairs. After defeating the Spaniards in several engagements, he was himself worsted at the battle of La Puerta, and again in Aug. at San Mateo, where he had a narrow escape. He now went to Carthagena, and afterwards to Kingston, in Jamaica, where an assassin, hired by the Spaniards, tracked his steps, but, by mistake, murdered his secretary. Having visited Hayti, and assembled there the insurgent refugees, he landed with them on the island of Margarita, Dec., 1816, where he convoked a congress, insti tuted a government, proclaimed the abolition of slavery, and immediately manumitted his own slaves. The following two years were marked by successes over 3Iorillo. In Feb., 1819, a congress was opened at Angostura, and B., chosen president, was armed with the power of dictator. Having conducted his forces over the almost impassable Cordilleras to New Granada, he achieved the victories of Tunja and Bojaca, and soon afterwards declared New Granada united with Venezuela as a republic, under the name of Colombia. The office of president was conferred upon him. 1822 saw the new
republic completely cleared of royalist troops, and 13. was summoned the same year to help the Peruvians, and was named dictator of Pent. After two years' fighting, the Spaniards were driven from Peru also.
B. now made a tour through the southern provinces of Peru, where he was hailed with every demonstration of rejoicing. The name of the country was changed in his honor to Bolivia (q.v.), and a million of dollars was given him, which he devoted to the liberation of 1000 slaves. The Bolivian code was adopted by Bolivia in Dee., 1826, and in the following year by the congress of Lima, where 13. was made president for life. In the meantime, dissatisfaction prevailed in Colombia, to which he returned, and, notwith standing some dissent, was confirmed in the presidency in 1826, and again in 1828. About this time a conspiracy threatened his life, but was suppressed by the execution of the leaders and the banishment of seventy accomplices. 3leanwhile, his famous code was renounced in Peru, and B. was rejected from the presidency. In 1829, Venezuela separated itself from the republic of Colombia, which was generally disturbed by faction, and B.'s ambition was loudly denounced. B. accordingly laid down his authority in Jan., 1830, notwithstanding earnest entreaties to retain it, and retired, in failing health, to Carthagena. The congress of Bogota voted him a pension of 30,000 piastres, and awarded him the thanks of the Colombian people. He died at San Pedro, Dec., 1830, having, shortly hi fore his death, written a farewell address to the people of Colombia. in which he vindicated his character from the aspersions that had been cost on it, and complained bitterly of ingratitude. The war of liberation, and the peculiar elements with which lie had to deal, compelled him to assume dictatorial power; but there is no proof that he was ever insincere in his devotion to liberty. this property was mainly devoted to the service of his country. Ile has been described as the Washin6ton of South America. Like other great men, lie was rightly estimated after his death. By a resolution of congress, New Granada, 1842, his ashes were removed with great pomp from Santa Marta to Caracas, where a triumphal arch was erected to his memory.