Diary of a Colombian Government Official

July 17th, 1810 1811 1822 December 20th, 1830

July 17th, 1810

Dear Diary, My name is Nicolas Romero. I am a government official from New Granada. Not too long ago word was passed on that Napoleon and the French have invaded Spain and the king of Spain, Ferdinand VII, was held in captivity. (1) Since these events have taken place a wave of disputes on wanting to declare independence have been coming up more and more. Many groups of strong willed citizens, also known as comuneros, have been rising. (2) I find myself in a very tough position, I don’t know whether to try and keep order in my country and try to keep things as they are. However part of me also wants independence, to create a new government in which I can be apart of and we can be free. The tension is building up and something is going to erupt any day now…I can feel it. I’ll write back as soon as something happens. Yours truly, Nicolas Romero.

1811

Dear Diary, Where to begin?! I’m sorry I waited to write this almost a year after the events took place, however things have been hectic for me. On July 20th, 1810 independence was declared in my country! A prominent revolutionary leader named Antonio Nariño was a big part in the up rise at Bogota. (2) Although at the time our government had sworn allegiance to Ferdinand II it was until this year that we truly began to declare independence. (1) Although everyone is happy about our newfound independence I find myself worrying of what is to come. Many people desire a federalist government, while the creoles seek to centralize the authority of these new governments. (1)I’m torn over which side to take, however I know if I don’t decide soon my job or even life could be in jeopardy. Antonio Nariño is now the president of Cundinamarca, an independent state. He strongly feels central government is the only way to keep independence. (2) He has been a strong leader before, my gut is telling me to side with him on this issue. My hope of civil wars not becoming our reality remains. Yours truly, Nicolas Romero.

1822

Dear Diary,

I deeply apologize for neglecting to take the time to write to you these past years. It’s been too long and much has happened, but the events remain fresh in my mind. Where to begin? To start things off I should tell you we ended up having many civil wars. It has been tough fighting the federalists in these wars. (I went with my gut and sided with Antonio Nariño for having a centralized government.) Antonio had been successful and was permitted dictoral powers, which he used to unite patriot forces to force back a royalist invasion. However after successfully ridding the Spanish from Popayan he found himself at a loss on a fateful day in May of 1814. The brave man that he was and I knew him to be surrendered only himself and not his army. (2) Simon Bolivar, another strong leader, defeated the Spanish stationed in Colombia on August 7th, 1819 at Boyacá! (1) He did it; he actually drove out the Spanish from my country! The powerful Spanish were now gone and independence seemed like more than just a word. Although I was in dismay at my friend being imprisoned for four years in Cadiz, when he returned Simon Bolivar made him Vice president of the greater republic in Colombia. (2) I couldn’t be happier! He made me an official in the government as well and it feels good to be rewarded for my faithfulness. Yours truly, Nicolas Romero

December 20th, 1830

Dear Diary, Although I hadn’t intended on writing anymore, a lot more has happened. I have found out that three days ago Simon Bolivar has died near Santa Marta. (1) He left for the northern coast after his resignation. Francisco de Paula Santander was the vice president to Simon Bolivar, however there two separate views on how governments should be run became very apparent. Francisco was intending on there being a union of federal states, but of course Simon Bolivar was all for the centralized government. (2) A constitutional convention was held in 1828, and Simon Bolivar the great leader that he was stood out. (2) However once the fall of greater Colombia began I knew it couldn’t be stopped. So when Venezuela and Ecuador became separate nations I wasn’t surprised. Only disappointed. Simon was a strong leader, and I only hope that I may use my position in government to reflect his type of bravery. This will be my last entry, farewell. Nicolas Romero

1) "Colombia." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 01 Dec. 2009 .

2) "Colombia: History." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. © 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 01 Dec. 2009 .