" The
Congress, as was to be expected, confirmed Bolivar in his command and
sanctioned all the commissions he had given during the campaign. He was
also elected President of the Republic, with don Francisco Antonio Zea as
Vice-President to take charge of the government during the campaigns of
the Liberator. He organized the government, made the appointments for the
cabinet and sent commissioners to England to obtain arms, ammunition and a
loan of a million pounds sterling, undertakings in which the Republic did
not meet with success at that time.
[Footnote 1: Discurso de Bolivar en el Congreso de
Angostura,--Caracas.--1919.]
[Footnote 2: Larrazabal--Vida de Simon Bolivar. Vol. 2, p. 177.]
The installation of the Congress made a great impression at home and
abroad, in spite of the attacks and ridicule with which the Spaniards tried
to discredit it. On that eventful day Bolivar saw his dream of a great
nation, Colombia, take shape, even though it were in danger of dying
shortly after its birth.
After asking all the members of the government and prominent persons of
Angostura to remain united in the cause of liberty, he went to join the
army in the western section.
During his stay in Angostura and afterwards he had been receiving foreign
contingents, especially from England. The Foreign Legion played from
that time on a very important role in the War of Independence and helped
substantially to obtain the triumph. By means of the British contingents,
the plainsmen of Paez, the regular armies of Bermudez and Marino, and the
genius of Bolivar, which united and directed all, the final victory was
achieved.
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