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Simon Bolivar Letter Signed....
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Description
Simon Bolivar Letter Signed. Eight pages on two bifolia, 7 1/8 x 9 5/16 inches; Copacabana [Upper Peru, modern-day Bolivia]; August 14, 1825. A lengthy letter in Spanish to an unidentified recipient he addresses as "Mi querido gral [general]." An important letter written eight days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence of Bolivia as he tours through Upper Peru. He sends orders for the ongoing siege at Callao, references multiple important allies, and editorial instructions for a newspaper for the purpose of shaping public opinion. The recipient is possibly in Callao, as Bolivar asks that he relay instructions to General Bartolomo Salom who was then in command of forces during the prolonged siege against the royalist defenders at Real Felipe Fortress.He writes that the recipient should be in Lima until Congress meets so that he can ensure the proceedings are for the benefit of the country and adds: "Tell Mr. [Hipolito] Unanue that I do not want to be in the middle of the political and administrative goings on in Peru, in order to avoid entanglements with the Argentinians and with the Peruans. Remind him that when I went to Colombia [loss of text] I left only military [?] and that will be my actions here..." Later in the letter he asks that his thanks be relayed to "Rivadeneyra" [José de Rivadeneyra] and "Seballos" [José Miguel de Velasco], both men were significant allies in Bolívar's quest for South American independence.
Newspapers and publications were an important tool used by Bolivar to influence public opinion and counter royalist propaganda. Bolivar devotes almost two pages of this letter to the discussion of the newspaper El Observador. We were not able to determine what territory this paper was published in, but the degree to which Bolivar provides instructions is exemplary of his use of newspapers to promote his agenda. He writes: "El observador, in a small octavo ["pequeño cuaderno"] is not good, it would be better in a full folio. It does not have variety nor news that is interesting. Legislative business should be communicated in columns divided in this order. Foreign news : news of the country : political and legislative matters : Literary offerings of items of major interest that don't fit into other articles... Curious : stupendous : notable : funny : scandalous and other titles like these that call attention of the public..." The topics he suggests be covered include Ferdinand VII and tyranny.
Bolivar devotes the last two pages of the letter (which appears to be dated on the 16th) to orders for the ongoing assault on Callao, and then lists his reasons for giving them. He writes: " I have considered, after much reflection, that it would be better-and I thus order it to the Government Congress and to General Salom-that the Second Division, which is to march to Colombia and is composed of one thousand four hundred men, be formed by the [?] battalion and the new squadron that I have directed General Salom to form from the prisoners of Callao and the discharged personnel from the dragoon regiment. Thus, instead of the [troops] that are to arrive in [location] in October or November, the aforementioned 1,400 men should be taken at the Port of Callao, which by then I suppose will already be in our possession. The third expedition will be carried out by the troops of [Juan Jacinto Lara Mendez] Lara and [José María Córdova Muñoz] Córdova in the months of February and March, comprising two thousand to three thousand men." He then lists the reasons for his orders. Signed "Bolivar" and adds a postscript: "See general Salom about my letter of today."
Condition: Dark toning and ink burns throughout, resulting in loss of paper affecting legibility, including Bolivar's signature. Flattened folds as expected, however there is no weakness thereat and paper remains sound.
Auction Info
2025 March 28 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6316 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
March, 2025
28th
Friday
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