394 SPANISH AMEIUCA. 



wise marched to protect the province of 

 Pamplona, against the attacks of the royal- 

 ists of Maracaybo. To obtain possession of 

 Santa Martha, which was held by the 

 enemy, was a very important object, with a 

 view to the complete defence of the country 

 against the expedition from Spain, under 

 the command of Morillo ; and for this pur- 

 pose, a body of troops was sent under the 

 immediate command of Bolivar, who had 

 been appointed by the Congress, Captain- 

 general of the armies of New Grenada and 

 Venezuela. 



The government of Carthagena was op- 

 posed to some of the measures of the Con- 

 gress, and hostile to this appointment of 

 Bolivar ; and the latter, unhappily, suffered 

 himself to be so far led astray by his re- 

 sentment, as to lay siege to Carthagena, 

 within sight almost of the common enemy, 

 for Morillo was then fast approaching. It is 



