HISTORICAL SKETCH. 255 



the Republic of Colombia, which only 

 comprises the north-west section of South 

 America and the Isthmus of Panama, is 

 seven times larger than the British Isles. 

 It is in this republic that the cause of in- 

 dependence appears to be embraced with 

 the most fervent ardour and the most de- 

 voted zeal ; and possessing, as it does, in a 

 peculiar degree, almost all the resources of 

 commerce, its proceedings and policy be- 

 come objects of the greatest interest to 

 Great Britain and to Europe. 



The following sketch will be found to 

 contain a condensed summary of the events 

 which took place, during the rise and pro- 

 gress of the contest for independence, in 

 Spanish America. 



