"
He wrote that the idea of monarchy was chimerical, and that it should
be discussed no more. In another letter he expressed his decision to
relinquish power, whether Congress met or not.
Bolivar arrived in Bogota on the 15th of January, 1830, and on the
20th Congress began its work under the presidency of Sucre. With the
inauguration of the Congress, Bolivar considered that his public duties
had ended, and in that sense he published an eloquent proclamation, which
closed with this supreme appeal:
"Fellow citizens, listen to my last words, at the end of my political
career. In the name of Colombia, I beg you, I pray you, always to
remain united so that you may not become the murderers of your country
and your own murderers."
In this proclamation he mentioned the fact that a crown had been offered
to him more than once, and that he had rejected the offers with the
indignation befitting a strong Republican. In his message to the Congress,
he offered to obey any person elected to occupy his place and to support
him with his sword and all his strength.
"The Republic will be happy," he said, "if, on accepting my
resignation, you appoint as President a citizen loved by the country.
She would succumb if you insisted that I command her.... Beginning
today I am nothing but a citizen, armed for the defense of my country
and for the obedience to her government. My public functions have ended
forever. I deliver unto you the supreme authority which the will of the
country conferred upon me.
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