Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-20
INHABITANTS OF NEW SPAIN 4,

i
clamation to be published the 26th of Ju-
| ly. 1909.
! INHABITANTS OF NEW SPAIN :
I 1 have been promoted without having
wished for 1t, to the supreme government
of these vast and precious dominions, by
the Providence of Con and by the grace
of Ferdinand VII. our king, Represented by
the Supreme Central Junta now governing
! Spain and the Indies. find myself now
united to You BY bonds more sacred and
inseparable, at least more public and uni
versal than those which united me before
as your metropolitan archbishop.
My sons and nv flock, belonging to my
| venerable sut.s agans /.
Till now, your eternal happiness has
been the principal object of my love, nv
prayers, and my tears. Henceforward,
your temporal felicity will engross my par"
ticular attention, and will be the object OF
I my thoughts and my cares. You were be-
fore, all my Sons in Jesus Christ shall
now also be your Father in the namc OF the
King. Yes, this name, among the many
j.whichc rresponds with the dignity aud of.
fee of Viceroy, is the one which | will
| adopt among you all, while manage the
reins of governm mt which / have taken in
my trembling hands. / say trembling
hands /: because, having in meekness and
humility borne the Sheperd's pastoral
Crook, it would be intolerable presumption
in me to grasp the sword Of Viceroyalty
with too much arrogance and confidence.
Nevertheless, have accepted it as good
| Bishop and good Spaniard, in obedience
to the Supreme Authority which has con.
| fided it to me. l have obeyed npt only
| for the purpose or giving you all an exam
pie of docility 2nd obedience, but also To
| shew that / have not degenerated, by
| scandalous resistance, from your native
| character, which is docile aud obedi.
ent.
Inhabitants Of Spanish America
| A follower of the Apostles and Yicege-
! rent of the Spanish monarch, does not know
nor ought to know, any sort OF adglation,
am a witness OF your heroic fidelity, and
! will be the praiser of your truly patriotic
| Spanish virtues. And if with the enor
nous weight with which my weak shout
ders are loaded, my soul is not disnayed,
| it is because conade in the SuccourS OF
| Heaven so abundantiy showered on the Spa
nish nation, and which hope to OBTAIN by
your religious department. rely also, OIL
[ the advice of those respectable minis ers
of the king, of whose knowledge, integrity
| and zeal, have the most indubitaDle tcs-
tmony together with the prudent counse
| of my dear and venerab c brothers the suf-
| fragans of this metropolis and on the
prayers of all the regular and secular
clergy of this kingdom. rely, likewise,
| on the honour a3d experience OF tac milI-
] tiry chiefs, and on the vaiour ami oyally
/ of the numerous and brilliant army OF this
| kingdom OF New Spain as we'll as III the
| zeal, integrity and experience OF the dirsc-
tors and officers of the royal treasury, in
| all their vast and important branches.
entirely con6de in tine doctlity, obedience
and peaceableness of you all, beloved sons
and subjects OF Ferdinand VII. Did | not
| thus confide in you, what else could be ex
pected from me, weak man, infirm, and
borne down with the weigat of the mtre,
: than an Immediate and determined renun-
citation of the reins of government. But
will moi do it, while my king and my coun.
try demand my few services. TO them /
| wsi;Agly sacriice my repose, and even it
| it was demanded, my Life.
Spanish Americans
| Justice, mercy aud peace, will be my
comp 8nions, that by them you may enjoy ali
| happiness. Edeavour to cultivate the arts
and sciences in your houses and in your pro-
vinces, aud carefully attend to whatever
will promote the interests of agricultury *
The commerce of the mines. And If, through
vashness, the barbarous and impious
| Frenchmen should dare to invade our coun
| try, l will Immediately grasp the sword,
/ will pat myself at the head of your soIdi.
ers, will defend your houses and posses.
sIons, aud will drive away the cruel and
perGdious enemies t1at would presume to
disturb your repose, 10 the same manner as
the archbishops of Toledo, Rodrigues,
Mendozas and Cisneros, have done before,
and rs has been done latterly by the veneer.
able bishop OF s.. Andcro.
! Inhabitants Of this Kingdom
The Glory Of COD and of his holy reli-
gion, the interests of Ferdinand VII. and
the nation, and your individual happiness
and tranquility, will be the sole objects of
my attention, and the only ends TO which
my DEGREES willb be directed. Be not afraid
that intrigue and Influence will have am
| share in my government. / have most will
lingiy Delivered np, for the urgencies OF the
crown, all that ] possessed over and above
my Episcopal income. | will likewise,
with pleasure, do the same with the sala-
~ appertaining to me as Viceroy. Yes,
generous patriots, our common mother is
10 want of our succours to finish, with glo-
ry, the great wsrk she has in hand and
thanks be TO Heaven, 1t has much advan.
ced, aud she hopes 10 areain it by our love