Correspondence, Simon Bolivar to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1826

Correspondence, Simon Bolivar to the Marquis de Lafayette, Lima (handwritten copy). [N.B.: It is unclear which institution holds the original letter, or who created this copy.] In Spanish (March 20, 1826)

Translation from Spanish:

Dear General:

I have recently had the honor of seeing, for the first time, the noble characters, penned by your hand, which have so greatly benefited the world of Columbus. This good fortune was made possible by Colonel Mercier who delivered to me Your Excellency’s esteemed letter, dated October 13 last.

From the public papers I have learned, with inexpressible pleasure, that Your Excellency has been so kind as to honor me with a treasure from Mount Vernon: The image of Washington, some of his mementos, and one of the monuments of his glory are to be bestowed upon me by Your Excellency in memory of that great man, the New World’s foremost son. Words cannot express how greatly my heart cherishes so glorious an assembly of thoughts and objects. Washington’s family honors me in a manner far exceeding my remotest hopes, as a reward from Washington, given by the hand of Lafayette, is the ultimate in human compensations. He was the outstanding architect of political reform, even as Your Excellency is the outstanding citizen-hero, the champion of freedom, who on the one hand has served America and on the other the Old World of Europe. What mortal then is deserving of the high honors which Your Excellency and Mount Vernon propose to confer upon me? My embarrassment is equalled only by the infinite sense of gratitude with which I tender Your Excellency the respect and veneration due the Nestor of human freedom.

I am, Your Excellency, with the highest regard, your respectful admirer.

BOLIVAR

Lima, March 20, 1826.