Colombia–United Kingdom relations

By 1814, the United Province of New Granada sent [[:es:José Maria del Real|José Maria del Real]] as an envoy to London for British support against Spanish military intervention, but as part of a long delay tactics on Britains part due to the defeat of Napoleon and the return of [[Fernando VII]]'s restoration, Britain did not immediately recognise the new states representatives, denying requests for British assistance against Spanish attack by the Spanish General [[Pablo Morillo]] in 1815. Cartagena de Indias, under siege of Spanish fleet, even declared itself a [[British dominion]], but was denied the request eventually falling back under Spanish control by 1816. However Bolivar, exiled in [[Jamaica]] in 1815, wrote from Kingston to [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Richard Wellesley]], asking for military support against Spain, yet this was ignored based on the foreign policy of the British Foreign secretary Mr. [[Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh|Castlereagh]] who was aiming to keep the peace amongst the [[First French Empire|French]], [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] and [[European powers]] following a fine tightrope which British foreign policy makers walked in regards to South America after the close of the Napoleonic wars, culminating in the 1814–1815 [[Grand Alliance (1815)|Grand Alliance]] at [[Congress of Vienna]], under which France supported Spain keeping its American colonies, and thus Britain supporting Spanish rule in the Americas. However around this time Lopez Mendez had begun recruiting what became the British Legions, over 7,000 ex-military Irish and Englishmen who had been dismissed after the Napoleonic wars ended; who went on to fight for Venezuela and New Granada independence wars.

By 1814, the United Province of New Granada sent [[:es:José Maria del Real|José Maria del Real]] as an envoy to London for British support against Spanish military intervention, but as part of a long delay tactics on Britains part due to the defeat of Napoleon and the return of [[Fernando VII]]'s restoration, Britain did not immediately recognise the new states representatives, denying requests for British assistance against Spanish attack by the Spanish General [[Pablo Morillo]] in 1815. Cartagena de Indias, under siege of Spanish fleet, even declared itself a [[British dominion]], but was denied the request eventually falling back under Spanish control by 1816. However Bolivar, exiled in [[Jamaica]] in 1815, wrote from Kingston to [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Richard Wellesley]], asking for military support against Spain, yet this was ignored based on the foreign policy of the British Foreign secretary Mr. [[Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh|Castlereagh]] who was aiming to keep the peace amongst the [[First French Empire|French]], [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] and [[European powers]] following a fine tightrope which British foreign policy makers walked in regards to South America after the close of the Napoleonic wars, culminating in the 1814–1815 [[Grand Alliance (1815)|Grand Alliance]] at [[Congress of Vienna]], under which France supported Spain keeping its American colonies, and thus Britain supporting Spanish rule in the Americas. However around this time Lopez Mendez had begun recruiting what became the British Legions, over 7,000 ex-military Irish and Englishmen who had been dismissed after the Napoleonic wars ended; who went on to fight for Venezuela and New Granada independence wars.

After its service in the Venezuelan plains during the first half of 1818, the British Legion was part of the expeditionary force taken by Bolívar in 1819 campaign to the liberation of New Granada Vice royalty.

After its service in the Venezuelan plains during the first half of 1818, the British Legion was part of the expeditionary force taken by Bolívar in 1819 campaign to the liberation of New Granada Vice royalty. In London a bill was presented in Parliament on May 13, 1819, to prohibit the enlistment or commitment of individuals to serve abroad or equipment for military purposes, without the license, and passed as the [[Foreign Enlistment Act 1819]].

[[File:Arthur Sandes.png|thumb|[[Arthur Sandes]]]]

In 1819 during the grueling crossing the Andes through the Paramo Pisba the entire army had lost around 300 men en route, of whom 60 were from the British Legion. At Battle of Vargas Swamp the captain [[Arthur Sandes]] was wounded twice and had his horse shot under him. Few days after at battle of Boyaca the colonel James Rooke fought with distinction, as he led his legion in a bayonet charge storming uphill against the Spanish defences. During this action both Rooke and Daniel Florence O'Leary were wounded, with Rooke's being of grave concern which led to the amputation of his left arm.

[[File:Arthur Sandes.png|thumb|[[Arthur Sandes]]]]

In July 1819 during the grueling crossing the Andes through the Paramo Pisba the entire army had lost around 300 men en route, of whom 60 were from the British Legion. At Battle of Vargas Swamp the captain [[Arthur Sandes]] was wounded twice and had his horse shot under him. Few days after at battle of Boyaca the colonel James Rooke fought with distinction, as he led his legion in a bayonet charge storming uphill against the Spanish defences. During this action both Rooke and Daniel Florence O'Leary were wounded, with Rooke's being of grave concern which led to the amputation of his left arm.

In Angostura Bolivar proclaimed the Republic of Colombia including present-day Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela, along with parts of northern Peru, northwestern Brazil and Guyana. The British Government on paper however were still in support of Spain in official channels, apart from a number of liberal politicians, but British public favour went with Colombian patriots and favoured pressuring the government to open new trade markets with these newly formed Spanish American groups in 1817 and 1818.

In Angostura Bolivar proclaimed the Republic of Colombia including present-day Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela, along with parts of northern Peru, northwestern Brazil and Guyana. The British Government on paper however were still in support of Spain in official channels, apart from a number of liberal politicians, but British public favour went with Colombian patriots and favoured pressuring the government to open new trade markets with these newly formed Spanish American groups in 1817 and 1818.

In August 1822, Castlereagh committed suicide. Instead of going to India, [[George Canning]] succeeded him as both Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. He continued many of Castlereagh's foreign policies, such as the view that the powers of Europe should not be allowed to meddle in the affairs of other states. He also prevented the United States from opening trade with the British West Indies.

In August 1822, the Viscount Castlereagh committed suicide. Instead of going to India, [[George Canning]] succeeded him as both Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. He continued many of Castlereagh's foreign policies, such as the view that the powers of Europe should not be allowed to meddle in the affairs of other states. He also prevented the United States from opening trade with the British West Indies.

<span class="plainlinks"></span>By 1822 at the [[Congress of Verona]], Canning adopted Castlereagh shifted position to favour Colombian independence, after the accession of British interest to the ''[[Western Question]]'', due to the fluctuating relations with regards to the French Empire and its interests and power relations with the Spanish Empire.

<span class="plainlinks"></span>By 1822 at the [[Congress of Verona]], Canning adopted Castlereagh shifted position to favour Colombian independence, after the accession of British interest to the ''[[Western Question]]'', due to the fluctuating relations with regards to the French Empire and its interests and power relations with the Spanish Empire.