Símon Bolívar, the Liberator | Page 4

and Rewards.
Bolívar's Disinterestedness. American Unity (1821)
XV. Bomboná and Pichincha. The Birth of Ecuador. Bolívar and San
Martín Face to Face (1822)
XVI. Junín, a Battle of Centaurs. The Continent's Freedom Sealed in
Ayacucho (1822-1824)
XVII. Bolivia's Birth. Bolívar's Triumph. The Monarchical Idea. From
Honors to Bitterness (1825-1827)
XVIII. The Convention of Ocaña. Full Powers. An Attempt at Murder
(1828)

XIX. Difficulties with Perú. Slanders and Honors. On the Road to
Calvary (1829-1830)
XX. Friends and Foes. Sucre's Assassination. The Lees of Bitterness.
An Upright Man's Death (1830)
XXI. The Man and His Work

SIMÓN BOLÍVAR
(THE LIBERATOR)
Patriot, Warrior, Statesman Father of Five Nations

CHAPTER I
The Spanish Colonies in America Everybody knows that America was
discovered by Christopher Columbus, who served under the King and
Queen of Spain, and who made four trips, in which he discovered most
of the islands now known as the West Indies and part of the central and
southern regions of the American continent. Long before the English
speaking colonies which now constitute the United States of America
were established, the Spaniards were living from Florida and the
Mississippi River to the South, with the exception of what is now
Brazil, and had there established their culture, their institutions and
their political system.
In some sections, the Indian tribes were almost exterminated, but
generally the Spaniards mingled with the Indians, and this intercourse
resulted in the formation of a new race, the mixed race (mestizos)
which now comprises the greater number of the inhabitants of what we
call Latin America.
African slavery added another racial element, which is often discernible
in the existing population.
The Latin American peoples today are composed of European whites,
American whites (creoles), mixed races of Indian and white, white and

Negro, Negro and Indian, Negro and mestizo, and finally, the pure
Indian race, distinctive types of which still appear over the whole
continent from Mexico to Chile, but which has disappeared almost
entirely in Uruguay and Argentina. Some countries have the Indian
element in larger proportions than others, but this distribution of races
prevails substantially all over the continent.
It would distract us from our purpose to give a full description of the
grievances of the Spanish colonies in America. They were justified and
it is useless to try to defend Spain. Granting that Spain carried out a
wonderful work of civilization in the American continent, and that she
is entitled to the gratitude of the world for her splendid program of
colonization, it is only necessary, nevertheless, to cite some of her
mistakes of administration in order to prove the contention of the
colonists that they must be free.
Books could not be published or sold in America without the
permission of the Consejo de Indias, and several cases were recorded of
severe punishment of men who disobeyed this rule. Natives could not
avail themselves of the advantages of the printing press.
Communication and trade with foreign nations were forbidden. All
ships found in American waters without license from Spain were
considered enemies. Nobody, not even the Spaniards, could come to
America without the permission of the King, under penalty of loss of
property and even of loss of life. Spaniards, only, could trade, keep
stores or sell goods in the streets. The Indians and mestizos could
engage only in mechanical trades.
Commerce was in the hands of Spain, and taxes were very often
prohibitive. Even domestic commerce, except under license, was
forbidden. It was especially so regarding the commerce between Perú
and New Spain, and also with other colonies. Some regulations forbade
Chile and Perú to send their wines and other products to the colonists
of the North. The planting of vineyards and olive trees was forbidden.
The establishment of industry, the opening of roads and improvements
of any kind were very often stopped by the Government. Charles IV
remarked that he did not consider learning advisable for America.

Americans were often denied the right of public office. Great personal
service or merit was not sufficient to destroy the dishonor and disgrace
of being an American.
The Spanish colonies were divided into vice-royalties and general
captaincies. There were also _audiencias_, which existed under the
vice-royalties and general captaincies. The Indians were put under the
care and protection of Spanish officials called _encomenderos_, but
these in fact, in most cases, were merciless exploiters of the natives
who, furthermore, were subject to many local disabilities. The Kings of
Spain tried to protect the Indians, and many laws were issued tending
to spare them from the ill-treatment of the Spanish colonists. But the
distance from Spain to America was great, and when laws and orders
reached the colonies, they never had the force which they were
intended to have when issued. There existed a general race hatred. The
Indians