"No one has ever spoken like this man,"
says an author.[1] The peoples of America have been marching steadily,
though at times haltingly, but always in a progressive way, towards the
ideals of Bolivar. The Congress of Angostura carried into effect many of
these sublime principles.
[Footnote 1: Larrazabal--Vida de Simon Bolivar. Vol. 2, p. 177.]
"An assembly of tried and illustrious men, the Congress of Angostura,
responded to the important requirements of the revolution, and when it
gave birth to Colombia, powerful and splendid, it realized no longer a
task Venezuelan in character, but rather an American mission."[1]
"The address of the Liberator in Angostura may be considered as a
masterpiece of reason and patriotism."[2]
At the beginning the Congress was formed of twenty-six deputies, which
number was increased to twenty-nine, representing the provinces of Caracas,
Barcelona, Cumana, Barinas, Guayana, Margarita and Casanare. This last
province belonged to Nueva Granada and the others forming the same
vice-royalty were expected to be represented as soon as freed from Spanish
domination. Its president was don Francisco Antonio Zea.
As was proper Bolivar immediately divested himself of the civil authority,
handing it to the President of the Congress and then resigned his command
of the army, offering to serve in any military position, in which he
pledged himself to give an example of subordination and of the "blind
obedience which should distinguish every soldier of the Republic.
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