he choose to devote himself to that pursuit, lay the foundation of future employment in the Diplomacy of the nation. Indeed he will acquire knowledge which will be useful to him, in any avocation he may afterwards engage in. A fine young man of the name of Bunker, a friend of the Mr. Henry Ooden whom T manti... he choose to devote himself to that pursuit, lay the foundation of future employment in the Diplomacy of the nation. Indeed he will acquire knowledge which will be useful to him, in any avocation he may afterwards engage in. A fine young man of the name of Bunker, a friend of the Mr. Henry Ogden, whom I mentioned to you, will leave this for Bogota in about two months, he has been there before, speaks the Spanish language and is well acquainted with the route, I would advise you to send your son with him. By the time they arrive, I shall have commenced housekeeping, being in the meantime (until my furniture arrives) obliged to live in the house of a gentleman who has invited me, for there are neither taverns nor boarding houses in Bogota. You must fit him out, and frank him to me, after his arrival I will pay all his expenses and return him to you. A plain blue coat with the Diplomatic button, which can only be got in Philadelphia, is all the uniform he will require. If that button cannot be got (it has an Eagle with an olive branch, in one talon, and a thunderbolt in the other) the button of the marine corps will answer. Mrs. Van Rensselaer need not fear the climate of Bogota, it is as healthy there as in New York. Nor can any political commotion in the country affect us. In haste. Your friend, W. H. HARRISON. Genl. Sol. Van Rensselaer, Post Master, Albany, N. Y. In 1828 General William Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, was appointed by President John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the republic of Colombia, comprising the vice-royalty of new Grenada and the late captain generalship of Venezuela. He accepted this appointment and repaired without delay to the scene of his duties, where he was received with every demonstration of respect. He found this unhappy country in a deplorable condition; the people ignorant of their rights, and almost in a state of anarchy, and General Simon Bolivar apparently about to assume the despotic power of a military dictator. Shocked at this state of things, with the frankness of an old soldier, he wrote his celebrated letter to General Bolivar after he was superseded. To every sentiment traced in that letter each republican heart could respond and could not fail to appreciate the philanthropic motives of the writer in its dictation. It is a well known fact that prior to the late revolution in Colombia, every North American estimated Bolivar as a pure patriot, and all who visited this country carried with them a strong predilection in his favor, but this confidence in the republicanism of the chief was not well founded. Gen. Harrison observed for himself and did properly estimate the different tales he heard in favor of, and to the prejudice of Bolivar. A soldier himself, he (in his own words), "could possess no feelings but those of the kindest characters towards one, who had shed so much lustre on the profession of arms" though he regretted the ill advised policy which led him to aspire at a sceptre. Before leaving America Gen. Harrison requested that the son of his old friend should join the mission. My brother, Rensselaer Van Rensselaer, left Albany on November 30, 1828, in the steam boat Constellation, Capt. R. G. Cruttenden, and sailed from New York city, on December 4th, in the brig "Tampico," Capt. Fish, "under a hopeful flag and a promise of a happy voyage.' His object being to join William H. Harrison, the United States minister plenipotentiary at Bogota the capital of Colombia, South America. The following descriptive, private letters, penned by the thoughtful and observ ant traveler, for the home circle of "loved ones," in his own graphic, bold, off handed style, without hesitation as to choice of words or language, were written in that southern peninsula forty-five years ago. They will be found interesting and instructive as making us better acquainted with the natural features of the country, its productions, ceremonies, government and religion, as delineated in scenes and occurrences which fell under his immediate observation. His connection with the diplomatic body, also, gave him ample opportunities to become well informed regard ing this country ruled by the rod of Spanish despotism. A region so varied in aspect and exquisite in beauty, of which but little was known at that early period, that the human mind, even now, is "successively surprised with the sublime and astonishing works of nature where rivers of amazing breadth flow through beautiful and widely extended plains, and where lofty mountains, whose summits are covered with eternal snow, intercept the course of the clouds and hide their heads from the view of mortals." Yet despite the conflicts and hardships of travel, with its perils both in the valleys and mountains, beautiful spectacles were seen on every side, all of which added their quota to that enjoyment which his capacity for description traced as he observed Nature in all her various garbs." It is also a very highly favored part of the globe, compared with the other great divisions, as it respects the salubrity of its climate, the fertility of soil, and the value of its natural productions. "The surface is greatly diversified. The western part consists chiefly of elevated table land, crowned by chains of majestic mountains; it is traversed by the Andes, at a distance varying from fifty to one hundred and fifty miles from the western coast; the most celebrated summits of which are within Colombia, and they have been seen at sea, at the distance of one hundred and eighty miles from the shore. A number of these elevations are volcanic, and a great many of them clothed with snow. They abound in natural wonders, as stupendous precipices, impetuous torrents, picturesque cataracts, and frightful chasms. The torrents and chasms are often crossed by rope bridges. The highest summits have an aspect of unrivalled sublimity, their elevation carrying them above the region of the clouds; and below their snowy tops, the storm is seen to burst: and the exploring traveler hears the thunder roll, and sees the lightning dart beneath his feet. Between the different ridges there are extensive plains of great fertility and beauty, well cultivated and populous. "The Andes are said to derive their name from the Peruvian word anti, which signifies copper. They are composed in great part of porphyry, and abound in precious metals. The Andes, too, are a great nursery for birds. Among these the condor is the most remarkable, and is the largest bird that has the faculty of flying in the air. Its wings, when extended, measure from twelve to sixteen feet; and it soars to the height of more than 20,000 feet; it is of the genus vulture. Many parts of South America are extremely subject to earthquakes, and for the sake of greater security, the houses are commonly built of only one story." My Dear Sir, Gen. Van Rensselaer to Gen. Harrison. Albany Dec. 1st, 1828. My Son Major Rensselaer Van Rensselaer of the Militia of this State, sails on Monday next to join you in South America. I do not wish to say any thing in his favor, lest you should be disappointed in your expecta tions of him. He goes from here fully equipped and must do as you and I did - provide for himself. We had not when poor boys, of about the same age, dear friends to take us by the hand. He has already learnt from me to love you; and thus much I may venture to say, that you will find him to possess a considerable share of talents, integrity and firmness. Any difficult business you put him upon, he will if possible execute. To my God and to you, my old friend, I commit him with my blessing, the only legacy I can leave him. He takes with him a negro boy, raised in my family, as his body servant; they did not wish to be separated. The boy named Cato-says he will be of no expense to Master Rensselaer ; he probably may be of service in your family, he is a pretty good waiter, hostler and gardener. My Son will stay a short time at Baranquilla with the Messrs Glen of this quarter-early friends to learn the Spanish language. That your Mission may prove honorable and profitable to our dear Country and yourself, I do most sincerely pray. I am dear Sir, your old friend, His Excellency, Major Genl. William H. Harrison, Dear Father, Rensselaer Van Rensselaer to his Father. New York 2nd December 1828. My plans so far have succeeded, and Dr Van Rensselaer's arrangements will enable me to effect the rest without difficulty. The ship will sail to day Tuesday, but precisely at what hour, I cannot tell, until I hear from John Glen who has gone to see the owner about it, she will probably leave about one o'clock. Glen does not go with us but remains a little longer in this country before he returns to his Southern home. This ship does not touch at St. Martha, on her way to or from Carthagena at all. We will travel on mules from the latter place to Baranquilla, which will give us an opportunity of seeing some of the country bordering on the sea coast. Glen gives me letters to his friends in Carthagena, but I shall not remain there longer than is necessary, nor any where else until I get home. Cato's first attempt at acting the lackey and as valet de chambre augurs well for the future. I preserve an inflexible gravity as he tries to make himself generally useful; he is always good natured and cheerful, and is really more expert in his new calling than I anticipated he would be. is as anxious as myself to commence our new career in South America. I feel very sanguine of success there, and do really hope that you will always think the same for I will use the utmost diligence in the path of duty. I know your fondest hopes and affections are centred in me (they are reciprocated) and a determination to think me doing well, will make you all happier. 1 o'clock - Passage paid, and about going aboard the Ship. I shall write you again by the Pilot when aboard the packet. My best, my tenderest love to my dear considerate and affectionate Mother, Sisters and all. Believe me gratefully and sincerely yours. Gen. Sol. Van Rensselaer, Albany, N. Y. RENSS. VAN RENSSELAER. Dear Father, Rensselaer Van Rensselaer to his Father. Brig "Tampico" New York Bay, He Off Staten Island, 4th December, 1828. Owing to the difficulty of getting the crew on board, we did not leave New York until 9 o'clock this morning, but we are now under fine headway and will soon be outside with this favorable wind. The bustle of |