tander to announce his intention of "proceeding to Argentine territory to establish the independence of South America by assisting the Patriots." Santander replied by reminding him that Congress had only authorised him to carry on war outside the territory of Columbia "for the security of the Republic of Peru."
His third theatrical step was to resign the dictatorship of Peru, and to accept it again for reasons directly contrary to those on which he had based his resignation, and with the farcical condition that "the odious word dictatorship" should be no longer used. Congress also voted him a million of dollars as a reward for his services, which he refused for himself, but accepted in the name of various charities, to which they were never applied.[1] The servility of the Congress of Peru was repugnant even to Bolivar, and was censured by his Columbian partisans.
The general Assembly of the Provinces of Upper Peru, convened by Sucre, went even further than Congress had done. They declared Bolivar to be "the first-born son of the New World, the saviour of the people," and on the 19th July, 1825, placed themselves under the protection of his sword and of his wisdom. They declared themselves independent of Lower Peru, called their country the "Republic of Bolivar," and placed the supreme executive power in his hands so long as he should reside among them, Sucre acting as his delegate in his absence. This Assembly then dissolved, and on the 6th October a Constituent Assembly was convened, which applied to Bolivar for a Constitution, and for a garrison of 2,000 Columbian troops.
In July Bolivar offered to help the Chilians to drive the Spaniards from the island of Chiloe. They declined other help than a subsidy, which did not meet his views, as his design was to bring them under his sway by the help of Columbian troops. From the Congress of Columbia he had procured authority to take the Peruvian fleet and army
- ↑ The amount thus voted was, after his death, paid to the heirs of Bolivar.
