Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-25
Foreign.
SPAIN.
ROYAL DECREE OF HIS MAJESTY.


this bloody struggle, with a certainty Of
leaving TO their posleri'y. an inheritance of
prosperity and glory, worthy OF their NIGH.
|ty endeavours and the blood they shed.
Never has the supreme ]unta lost sigh,
Of this object, which III the midst OF con-
tinual agitation caused by the successes or
the war, has always been their principal
desire.
The advantages of the enemy less due
TO their vaor than TO their superiority OF
numbers, called for the attention of go
vernment but, al the same time the re.
tlexion was sad and poignant, that the
lmisfortunes which the nation has suffered
proceeds from the oblivion into which
those salutary institutions have fallen,
which in more prop,ious days, were col.
umus OF prosperity and the strength Of The
ls.ae.
Usurping ambition on one side, and in.
dolcHt abandonment on the other by de
igrees reduced them to nothing; and the
lunta, from The moment OF their instaila
ton, soiemnly constituted themselves by
obligation TO re establish them.
! The time has arrived 10 commence this
great work, s. 10 mediate on the various re-.
ad administration securing them on the fun.
damental laws Of monarchy, which can on;
consolidate them; and, hearing for the
purpose, Gas informa ion was gwen TO the
publ q The wisdom OF those who may wish
70 express their opinion.
Our lord and king, Ferdinand the 7,h
wishing tina. the Spanish nation may an
pear before the eyes of the world, with
shat dignity due TO their hero c endea.
yours resolved that The Fights and prerog
ativcs of the city rs may be freed from
new at acksi end hat he fountains ofpuh.
lie felicity when feed from the obstacles
which until now has obs,ructed them, NAV
run freely, as soon as the war ceases, and
repair all that lnve;erate and arbitrary
p wer has drained, and the presen, devas
tation destroyed: they have decreed the
following:
l.. That the legal and known represen.
alton ofthe monarchy in the ancient Cor
tes may be 'e-es,ablshed, conyokipg tn
first ones for the approaching year, OF
sooner IL circumstances would permit.
.. That the Junla may think immedi
ately oil the maoner, number and class
whh which, in consideration Of the prescn
circumstances, the concurrence of The dep
u!es 10 this august assembly may be veri.
lied; that for this purpose they may an.
point and commission five of their voters.
who with all the attention and diligenc,
which this important affair requires, m.v
recognise and prepare all the tolls ana
plans, which being examined and appfoy.
ed of by the Jun,a, are to serve for the
convocation and formation Of the lifs, Cor.
,es.
5. That besides this point, which in.
consequence of its urgency, mus. be pri
| mitiVeiy considered, that the Junta must
| extend their Investigations TO the following
points, and propose them successlvely To-
| he whole nation in Cortes :-Meaus and
resources to maintain The sacred war in
which, with the creates, justice, the nation
/ IS gagged, until it obtains The glorious
cod proposed Means of securing The oh
| servance OF the fundamental laws of the
| king dom.-MeaDs of meliorat,nr our ls
| gislaiion, banishing introduced abuses, and
facilitating its perfection, recovery, admin.
stration, and distribution of The states in.
[ come Necessary reformation IN The svs
lem OF public instruction and education.---
Means ct regulating and maintaining
permanent army in time Of peace and war,
being conlormable to the obligations and
income OF the slate.--Means Of preserving
d navy in proportion TO the army.-.Tbe
| part which American Possessions ouyb,
TO have in the meeting of the Cores.
4. To reunie al necessary information
TO such important discussions, the Jun.o
shall consult the Councils, Superior Jnn,as
Of the Provinces, Tribunals, Meetings
Chapter Houses, Bishops and Universities.
and shall hear wise and iIluslrious persons.
S. That this decree shall be printed
published, and circulated with due formal.
ny, that il may inform the whole nation.
This communicate TO you, tina, yop
may make arrangements for It's compli-
| luce.
(Signed)
The MARQUIS or AsroneA,
President
Royal Palace of SeviIla, May %, 500.
To Don Martin Carsy.
w UlCh rovai J.c~o- 7