38 BOGOTA'. 



between the Indians and Mulattoes. There 

 are very few male domestics, as all the able 

 men were taken off for the supply of the 

 armies. 



The emancipation of slaves has been very 

 great at Bogota, and but few remain. A 

 tax of three per cent, on the property of 

 every individual deceased, goes to the for- 

 mation of a fund for the manumission of 

 slaves. Voluntary contributions increase 

 these means, and will shortly render Colom- 

 bia a land of perfect liberty and independ- 

 ence. The first step of the government on 

 shaking off the yoke of enslaving Spain, was 

 to the extent of its power to render the 

 liberty general, and the independence equal, 

 without injury to the proprietors of the ne- 

 groes. The fund is a certain source of gra- 

 dual freedom, and ultimate provision for those 

 slaves, — and the course of time will see them 

 all at liberty. I would venture to submit 



