GENERAL 



OBSERVATIONS. 



491 



gular, considering their Spanish origin. I 

 have often arrived benighted at some lonely 

 cottage, after all its inmates had retired to 

 bed. To state that 1 was an Englishman in 

 search of a place of lodging, was quite enough 

 to secure me an immediate and often cordial 

 reception. 



It is my opinion, that when the war ceases, 

 the people of this country will find a federal 

 form of government best suited to their inte- 

 rest, their happiness, and the geographical pe- 

 culiarities of their country. This republic is 

 too extensive; its parts too widely separated; 

 too much divided by natural and almost im- 

 passable barriers, — for the continuation of cen- 

 tralism. I much doubt whether a pilgrimage 

 to Mecca could not be performed with greater 

 ease, by the inhabitants of Barcelona, Cuma- 

 na, and other distant points, comprehended in 

 the Republic of Colombia, than a journey to 

 their capital. Each department should have 

 its legislative and judicial body. In any of 

 ♦ the extremities of the Republic, a man suffer- 

 ing grievance which may make an appeal to 

 the Congress, or Executive, indispensable; and 

 knowing, in all probability, that mere writing 



