The President of the Congress answered him with the following magnanimous
words:
"General, your country is not vanquished while your sword exists. With
this sword you will again rescue her from the power of her oppressors.
The Congress of Nueva Granada will give you its protection because it
is satisfied with your conduct. You have been an unfortunate general,
but you are a great man."
Then the Congress ordered him to liberate Santa Fe (Bogota), a part of
Nueva Granada, which had been separated from the Union. Bolivar with his
usual activity proceeded to Bogota, reached the outskirts of the city and,
promising immunity of properties and honor, offered a capitulation. The
commander of the garrison refused to accept and an assault followed, the
result of which was the surrender of the city. Bolivar was rewarded with
the title of _Capitan General_ of the Army of the Confederation, and
Congress immediately transferred the capital from Tunja to Santa Fe.
Congress asked Bolivar to direct the campaign to protect Nueva Granada
against the royalists. So he decided to take Santa Marta, the only place in
the country which was still in the hands of the Spaniards; then he planned
to fight once more for the liberty of Venezuela. Before adjourning, to meet
again in Santa Fe, the Congress at Tunja conferred on Bolivar the official
title of Pacificador (Peacemaker), which is frequently used with reference
to him, but not so generally as the title he himself used in preference to
any other: Libertador.
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