Presented by T. Michael Heredia on March 18, 1983
Few, if any historical figures can have a larger-indeed, more controversial biography than SIMON BOLIVAR, THE LIBERATOR, and as regards his being a freemason a great deal has been written by many writers.
It has been alleged that Bolivar first saw the light of Masonry in one of the political pseudo-lodges set up by the Venezuelan patriot, General Francisco de Miranda, who fled to London after an unsuccessful revolt against the Spanish colonial authorities at Coro, Venezuela, in 1807. These were known as "Lautaro" lodges after a Chilean Amerindian who dies heroically fighting the Spanish. These intimations vary as to time and place and appear to be based chiefly on subsequent comments attributed to Bolivar.
The consensus is that Bolivar was initiated, passed and raised in a regular 'Ecossais' lodge in Paris between 1804 and 1807, and this is the claim that will be most closely examined. Further claims have, however, been made. Brother William R. Denslow's, "10,000 FAMOUS FREEMASONS" states that Bolivar joined freemasonry in Cadiz, Spain and received the Scottish Rite degrees in Paris and was knighted in a Commandery of Knights Templar in France in 1807. These claims too must be closely examined.
At this point we may diverge from the Masonic aspect and proceed to look at Bolivar as a person and as an historical figure. It would be pointless and exhausting to attempt to distil from such immense and contradictory biographies anything but a relevant selection of basic facts sufficient to show how this extraordinary man came to be what he was and do what he did to engrave his name so deeply on the pages of history for, if we are to assess with any accuracy his involvement with Freemasonry, it is essential to know something of his background.
A descendant of Simon de Bolivar, a Basque who came to Spain's American colony of Venezuela towards the end of the 16th century, Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios was born in Caracas on 24 duly 1783 to Juan Vicente Bolivar y Ponte and his wife, Concepcion Palacios y Blance de Bolivar. The parents are said to have had claims to Spanish nobility on both sides and the father to a colonial 'marquisate' as well. They were rich, with extensive holdings of land and silver mine, and this took a leading place in the colonial society of the day. The father was Colonel of an aristocratic militia regiment which consisted of volunteers from the area. Simon was the fourth child, having been preceded by two sisters, Maria Antonia and Juana, and a brother, Juan Vicente. A fifth child, Maria del Carmen, died soon after birth. According to the historian, Salvador de Madariage, the family had some German and possibly Indian blood. At any rate Simon and Maria Antonia were dark, intense and turbulent; Juana and Juan Vicente were blond, placid and amenable. The father died in 1786 and the mother in 1792, thus leaving the children double orphans. Both girls married at an early age. Simon, in addition to receiving a share of the family wealth, had been named in 1785, heir to the large fortune of an uncle, the priest Juan Felix Juarez y Aristeguieta, provided he remained 'true to God and the King'.
At the age of nine Simon went to live with his maternal grandfather. Brought up this far among women as a dominant male, whose every whim could be-and no doubt was-immediately satisfied, Simon had become a "brat". He did have a private tutor, on Simon Rodriquez, and ardent liberal after the school of J.J. Rousseau and contemporary philosophers. He got on well with his tutor and was there, undoubtedly, instilled with the groundwork of a lifelong commitment to liberal and republican principles. When his grandfather died in 1793, he lived with an uncle, Carlos Palacios, but he ran away, lived at the home of his sister, Maria Antonia, but later, on his own accord, returned to his uncle.
At this critical age in his life Bolivar was taken up by the learned Marques de Ustariz who made him free of his large library. Here Simon read avidly and imbibed grounding for his future philosophy of government. He met, fell in love and married Maria Teresa Rodriquez del Toro that was related to the Ustariz clan. They were married in a splendid wedding in Madrid on 26 May 1802 and left for Venezuela. After a bare seven months in Venezuela, Maria Teresa succumbed to a fever and died on 22 January 1803 leaving Simon distraught with grief. He swore never to marry again and he never did. But his sensual temperament could not do without women and he was always in and out of love for the rest of his life. Unable to pull himself out of despondency Bolivar returned to Europe, landing at Cadiz, Spain.
It is at this point that freemasonry comes on the scene, though only as a vague possibility. It is alleged in various papers that Bolivar "visited" a lodge in Cadiz and Michel Vaucaire's BOLIVAR THE LIBERATOR relates that when Bolivar was in his cabin on his way back to Venezuela, via the United States in 1806, he came across his Masonic diploma and referred to a visit to a lodge in Cadiz "whither he had been drawn by curiosity rather than conviction". Neither his age nor the circumstances favor the possibility of initiation in a political lodge, though he presumably could have visited such as a non-mason. He could also have done so AS A MASON in 1806 but no record of his returning to Cadiz after leaving in 1803. The question therefore remains a mystery pending further evidence. Bolivar then went on to Paris as an admirer of the French republican system under Napoleon. There he as well received and taken up by the lively wife of a Napoleonic officer, on the basis of f a vague cousinship and she introduced him into Parisian society in which Bolivar cut a dash that has been described as of "Byronic Extravagance".
On 18 May 1804, France adopted an Imperial Constitution and Bolivar, while continuing to admire Napoleon's military genius, became disgusted at his projected assumption of an Imperial crown, regarding it as a betrayal of republican principles. It would seem that from there on, Bolivar's mind gradually turned to serious things. He met again his old tutor, Simon Rodrigues and the German philosopher, Baron Alexander von Humboldt, lately back from a journey across South America. Baron von Humboldt, in the way only philosophers can, informed Bolivar that Venezuela seemed ripe for emancipation if suitable leaders could be found. We can only imagine the thoughts that such a statement would make on the receptive mind of the fiery Bolivar. It seems probable that from then on separatist tendencies were confirmed in Bolivar. On a tour of Italy with his tutor of earlier years, Rodrigues, on Rome's Monte Sacro on 15 August 1805, Bolivar vowed, in a moment of exaltation, not to rest until he had liberated South America from its tyrants. Sometime after this episode Bolivar returned to Paris, leaving his old tutor in Italy.
It was then that, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Simon Bolivar became a freemason. This indisputable evidence rests on six documents, the first three-in manuscript-were purchased in Paris by the historian and mason, Dr. Ramon Diaz Sanchez in 1956 and presented, by him, to the Supreme Council 33 degree A & A.S.R. of the Republic of Venezuela. Together with a fourth-typescript-document attesting the authenticity of Bolivar's signature of the first and of the three documents generally. The first and most vital document is in French and is translated as follows: "To the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe and on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year of the Grand Lodge 5805 (corresponds to the year 1805) the lodge was opened on the Fellowcraft's degree from the East by W. Bro. de Latour d'Auvergne, supported in the West and South by W. Bros. Thory and Potu. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the Master proposed to pass to the degree of Fellowcraft, Bro. Bolivar, recent initiate, as he was soon to go on a journey. The Brn. having voted unanimously for his admission and investigation having proved favorable, Bro. Bolivar was brought into the Temple and after the necessary formalities took the usual obligation before the Chair, after which he was placed between the two Wardens and proclaimed a Fellowcraft freemason of the Worshipful mother lodge of the Scottish Rite St. Alexander of Scotland. The work was crowned by a triple cheer and the Brother, having given thanks, was seated at the head of the south column. The proceedings were then closed in the usual way." The writer states: This is, of course, a free translation in the modern manner.)
There are other manuscript documents that are NOT SUITABLE FOR REPRODUCTION that relate to proceedings of the same lodge during the year 1814 and confirm certain signatures that appear in the named documents. One document (in this book) affirms that after due examination of paper, ink, handwriting and signatures, the documents are authentic originals and the signature of SIMON BOLIVAR on the first is undoubtedly, authentic. These documents are in French and the originals lie in the Masonic section of the Library National, Paris. Their authenticity guaranteed by the Conservator, who kindly supplies photo static copies, (they are herewith attached as exhibits in this book from which I extracted my information). It is a list of the members of the Ecossais lodge of St. Alexander of Schotland as at a date in 1804 or the 13th year of the Revolution. One document lists the names and particulars under columnar headings of SURNAME: RANK: civil or Masonic: Office in the Lodge: Birth, place: months, years; signatures in own hand. That one document lists many names, among which is "BOLIVAR, SIMON,Spanish Officer". The list has been reproduced exactly, down to the indiscriminate use of capital and common letters. Written in a crabbed hand, there are one or two illegibilities which do not affect the importance of the document which contains names of famous masons that did so much to spread the Scottish Rite in the Western Hemisphere. This apart, the list appears to have been carelessly maintained, the birth particulars of many members are missing or incomplete, while the signatures of a number (INCLUDING BOLIVAR) are also missing. The word "ABSENT" appearing against four names, BUT NOT BOLIVAR'S. One of the listed documents consists of the cover and pages twelve and thirteen of a sixteen page printed pamphlet and confirms the spanning of the two year and presumably summarizes the position at the end of the administrative year. On the two inside pages, available surnames only are given but grouped under Masonic categories and with more explicit details as follows:
MAITRES (MASTERS)The foregoing not only gives a clearer picture of the structure of this very interesting and distinguished lodge, but affirms beyond all doubt that by the end of its administrative year, SIMON BOLIVAR had been raised to the degree of a Master Mason in that same lodge.
The documents listed in the text from which the above information has been gleaned affirms that SIMON BOLIVAR had been raised to a Master Mason. A Cuban writer, Cova Maza, states in Chapter IV of his book, THAT IS NOT LISTED IN THIS BOOK AS A REFERENCE, that Bolivar attained the 30th degree in France. This does not seem to be impossible. Why? Because we know that by the end of 1805 Bolivar had indeed become a Master Mason in an Ecossais lodge which by definition worked further degrees. But as to whether he actually did attain the higher degrees there is simply no evidence. A Scottish Rite collar and apron reputed to be SIMON BOLIVAR'S are in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York but serious doubt has been cast on their authenticity since they appear to be of a later date. Some writers have asserted that Bolivar was knighted in a Commandery of Knights Templar in France. However, in none of the documents does the name BOLIVAR occur as having been made a member of the Knights Templar. It can therefore be dismissed that Bolivar was a Templar mason.
It is not clear at what time in 1806 SIMON BOLIVAR left France for the United States, via Holland and Hamburg, but on arrival he spent some time in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, cities that our fraternity knows intimately. On 1 January 1807 Bolivar took ship for La Guaira, the port of Caracas. In this same year, Caracas became the birthplace of the definitive movement for Spanish-American independence. Agitation against the inequities of the Spanish colonial system was aggravated in 1808 by Napoleon's invasion of Spain. He forced King Fernando VII to abdicate and placed his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish Throne. Both the Spanish-American people and the colonial authorities rejected Joseph. BOLIVAR participated in this movement, secretly at first, but openly from 1810 on, and when the organization called, The Supreme Body for the Preservation of the Rights of King Fernando VII, was established on 19 April 1810. BOLIVAR was among those that insisted on the expulsion of the Spanish Captain-General and called for full and complete independence for Venezuela-a call that was echoing around Central and South America. Our own country having heard the call years before, that was, as we Masons are aware of, sounded by our ancient brothers around Boston, New York and Philadelphia and other places. Who among us has not heard of the Boston Tea Party?
Not much more is on record of BOLIVAR as a mason until, as Dictator of the country of Columbia; he suddenly banned the Masonic Order along with all secret societies. Up to then opportunities for him to have been active in Masonry must have abounded because the Order flourished in Spanish American from about 1808 and no less than thirty lodges in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador were closed by his sad but, as he felt, necessary act in 1828.
We have omitted many of the brilliant military campaigns led by Bolivar but will make special mention of one that has a very close resemblance to one military campaign that took place in Europe. Bolivar and his colleagues were convinced that they could not defeat the Spaniards by direct attack. He and his officers conceived the daring plan of leading an army across the Andes and attack from the rear. Doing so under tremendous logistical problems and brilliant leadership, they met and defeated the Spanish forces at Boyaca on 7 August 1819, going on to capture Bogotá and to free the country of Nueva Granada. And they crossed the Andes without elephants. Further campaigns in Venezuela culminated in the decisive battle of Carabolboon 24 July 1821 and the reoccupation of Caracas. Bolivar then put into effect his own plan to united Venezuela and Neuva Granada in a new Republic and he was elected the First President of Colombia. Victory over the Spaniards at Bombona liberated Ecuador and Bolivar entered Guayaquil in triumph on 11 July 1822. Another victory at Junin on 4 August 1824 freed Peru and Upper Peru. The latter, Upper Peru broke away and in 1825 became the independent Republic of Bolivia. Bolivar was proclaimed President of Peru and as such invited all of the South American governments, and that of the United States, to a Congress at Panama aimed at uniting all the Americas in a defensive union. However, it came to nothing. It is interesting to note that the United States, had the year before, proclaimed the Monroe Doctrine.
Bolivar's military career virtually ended in 1825, except for a brief war in 1829 between Peru and Columbia. Bolivar took command of the Colombian forces and was soon victorious. In the same month of November, Venezuela, under a General Paez broke away from the Republic and on 20 January 1830 Bolivar resigned as President. Disgusted and disillusioned by the way the new nations were acting, he tried to return to his own country, Venezuela, but was callously refused a refuge in the land of his birth. He tried to make it to Jamaica where he had powerful Masonic friends. Riddled with sickness that years of exposure and exhaustion had subjected him to, he fell victim to tuberculosis. His body, never robust and enfeebled by sickness, gave out and he died at San Pedro Alejandrino, outside the port of Santa Marta. The date was 17 December 1830 and he was 47 years, four months and twenty-three days old. Twelve years later, a conscience stricken Venezuela removed his body to the Pantheon in Caracas, where it rests today.
Why did Simon Bolivar become a Mason? A very difficult question that none of the many individuals that have researched his life have been able to answer to the complete satisfaction of all. One probability keeps coming to the forefront, seems to be that he was fired with burning ambition to free the Spanish colonies from Spain. Among the many liberals and intellectuals with whom he previously consorted with while in Europe, he must have been deeply impressed with their views regarding the freedom of the individual. Again, possibly he accepted membership into the Fraternity without much enthusiasm and could have intended to use the power it represented among leaders of the area, to help him achieve his goals. It is well recorded that Bolivar had many influential friends that were Masons and he was greatly assisted by them during his military campaigns. Bolivar was full of frailty and error, yet great by any standards, who left an indelible mark on the contemporary and future of half a continent. His was a complex, dynamic, rebellious character. Egoism, pride and ambition drove him to the very limits of his strength; determination carried him through, until he finally broke, like an overstretched bowstring. Withal, though avid of glory he was generous and cared little for wealth although his fortune could have given him all that he wanted in material things.
Why did Bolivar ban Masonry and all secret societies? There is no proof or reason to think that banning was directed against Masonry in particular. There was at the time a very strong movement against Bolivar in Bogotá and led by an individual that Bolivar regarded as the arch-conspirator and the others as his tools. It could have been against these that his decree was primarily directed; but all other associations were included both to disguise the true objective with its dangers of a political explosion to close all possible bolt-holes. None of his many prominent Masonic friends are on record as having shown any resentment to the ban. Therefore, it must have been imposed with the knowledge and acceptance of regional Masonry. Incidentally, the co-signatory of the degree, the Secretary of State for the Interior, was himself, a prominent Mason.
In summary, we can conclude that:
The writer of this article that I have extracted my paper from, Brother F. W. Seal-Coon, then lists the books that he researched: