FREEDOM IN BOLIVIA. 



115 



quainted with the history of Bolivia, and who had been a public man 

 from her birth as a nation — offered an amendment to that constitution, 

 proposing to establish religious liberty in Bolivia. The whole conven- 

 tion at once opposed him, as did the two little public journals in La Paz; 

 and when the bishops, priests, and church of Bolivia came out against 

 him, it became a question, whether a patriotic, aged, and tried senator 

 was a freeman ! 



The fifth article of that constitution declared, " The Apostolic Roman 

 Catholic religion was that of Bolivia. The law protects and guaranties 

 the exclusive worship of it, and prohibits the exercise of whatever other," 

 recognising notwithstanding the principle, that "there is no human 

 power over the conscience." 



With political affairs the Indian has little or nothing to do. When 

 the Creoles side off on the level plains of Bolivia and fight the battles of 

 their country, the Indians seat themselves on the brows of the hills 

 around, and quietly witness changes or continuance of administration. 

 They seem to be the philosophers of the country, and to take the world 

 very easy. After the struggle is over, they come down and pursue their 

 daily occupations under the new constitution, laws, and powers that be. 



The beautiful house in which we are was, on one occasion, turned 

 into a barracks for the soldiers of the victorious party, and the ladies 

 driven out, because they agreed in their political opinions with their 

 father and brothers/ The officers were thought kind because they had 

 the most expensive furniture put into their own rooms, that it might 

 not be entirely ruined before the family had been sufficiently punished. 



At the dinner table a young family of fourteen are seated, full of life 

 and gayety. Our place was next the lady of the house, who presided. 

 She was very intelligent, and had greater advantages of education than 

 most of her countrywomen. She seemed particularly fond of the United 

 States— asking many questions — expressing her admiration of the peo- 

 ple, but disapproving of some of their actions. She thought the country 

 too warlike ; and although we had conceived our answers satisfied her, 

 with regard to Texas and California — of which she had very incorrect 

 ideas — she asked me to explain to her the meaning of all the articles 

 she saw published in the newspapers of La Paz, upon the subject of 

 Cuba. Turning suddenly, she looked up and said : "What are you 

 doing here, Senor Gibbon ; do you want Bolivia, also V After setting 

 forth the advantages of trade through the rivers of Bolivia, and th« 

 difficulties the people of her country now labored under to avail them - 

 selves of foreign commerce, she approved of the enterprise, and expressed 



