Bolivar answered accepting the armistice, but reiterated that he
would listen to no proposition not based on the independence of Colombia.
The proposal of the Spanish commanders was that the provinces should adopt
the political constitution of the Spanish monarchy; the King would permit
the present chieftains to retain command in the provinces they were then
occupying for an indefinite time, but subordinate either to the general of
the Spanish army or directly to the Spanish government. The representative
of Bolivar, for Bolivar did not attend the meeting through necessities of
the campaign, declined to accept the proposals, and added:
"The champions of justice and liberty, far from feeling flattered
by promises of unlimited command, feel insulted to see themselves
identified with the low element which prefers to oppress and be
powerful to the sublime glory of being the liberators of their
country."
Meanwhile, the diplomatic representatives of Colombia were strengthening
the credit of the country in London. The public debt was recognized and
a system of payment was decided on. Colombia, whose freedom was not yet
accepted by the world, had at the time better credit than that of some of
the European countries. On the other hand, some diplomatic movements were
badly conducted in Europe. The royalist system was so deeply rooted in
the spirits of men that many did not hesitate to take steps to establish
independent kingdoms in America, with European princes at their heads.
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