452 



SPANISH AMERICA. 



country, and hastened to join Miranda. The 

 fate of the latter has already been mentioned. 

 Bolivar also was at first unfortunate ; the 

 details of his alternate successes and disas- 

 ters have already been given up to the 

 year 1817. 



There is one anecdote, however, connect- 

 ed with this period, which has not been no- 

 ticed. When Bolivar retired from Cartha- 

 gena, at the time it was besieged by Morillo, 

 he proceeded to Jamaica for the purpose of 

 endeavouring to obtain whatever supplies 

 were to be met with, in order to render 

 every possible aid to the patriot cause. 

 Some Spaniards who had taken up their 

 residence in that island, and who equally 

 hated and dreaded Bolivar, formed the hor- 

 rible project of procuring his assassination. 

 To effect this diabolical purpose, they bribed 

 a negro, who was to watch his opportunity, 

 and, stealing upon the patriot chief while he 

 was asleep, to despatch him without any 



