Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-05

circumstances nave rendered unavoidable,
and upon the whole the event is auspicious
for this favored continent.
II Declaration of Rights, dated 1st of July,
preceded the declaration of independence,
which did not fallinto cur hands until the fol :
lowing was ready for press, but we shall
endeayor to publish it to morrow.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH.
We, the representatives ofthe federal pro-
yincesof Caracas, Cumana, Barinas, Far
gaiita, Barcelona, Merida, and Truxillo,
constituting the confederation of Venezuela,
on the southern continent of America, in
Congress assembled considering, that we
have been in the full and entire possession of
our natural rights since the 10Th of April,
1910, which we resumed in consequence Of
the transactions at Bayonne, the abdication
OF the Spanish throne, by the conquest OF
SPAN, and the accession of new dynasty,
established without our consent. While we
avail ourselves of the rights of men, Which
nave been withheld from us by force for more
than three centuries, and to which we are
restored by the political revolutions in hui
man affairs, we think it becoming to state to
the world the reasons by which we are cal
led to the tree exercise of the sovereign au-
thorityi
we deem 1t unnecessaryto insist upon the
unquestionabie right which every conquered
country holds to restore itself to liberty and
independence we pass over in generous
silence, the long series of Affections, oppres-
sions, and privations, which the fatal law of
conquest has Unfortunately involved the
discoverers, conquerors, and settlers, of these
countries; whose condition has been made
wretchcd by the very means which should
have promoted their felicity throwing a
veil over three centuries of Spanish domini-
onin America, we shall confne ourselves to
the narration of recent and well known
facts, which prove how much we have been
afflicted; and that we should not be involved
in the connections, disorders, and conquest,
which have divided Spain.
The disorders in Europe had increased
the evils under which we before suffered by
obstructing complaints and frustrating the
means OF redress; by authorizing the GO
yernors placed over us by Spain, to insult
and Cypress us with impunity, leaving us
without the protection or the support of the
laws.
1t is contrary to the order ofnature, imprac-
| ticable in relation to the government of Spair,
and has been most affecting to America, that
territories so much more extensive, and a
population incomparably more numerous
should be subjected and dependent on a
peninsular corner of the European CONT
nent.
The cession and abdication made at Bay
| onne, the transactions atthe Escurial and at
Aranjuez; and the orders issued by the i'm
perial lieusenant the marshal duke of Berg
| to America, authorized the exercise of those
rights, which till that period the Americans
| had sacrifcedto the preservation and integ-
rity Of the Spanish nation.
The people of Venezuela, were the first
| Who generally acknowledged, ard who pre-
ferred that integrity, never forsaking the in
terests OF their European brethren while
there remained the least prospect of saliva
| ton.
America had acquired new existence !;
she was able and was bound to take charge
of her own safety and prosperity; she was
| at liberty to acknowledge or to reject the
| authority OF a king who was so little deserving
OF THAT power as to regard his personal safe
| ty more than that ofthe nation over which he
| had been placed.
J All the Bourbons who concurred in the fu-
| tile stipulations of Bayonne, having with
| drawn from the Spanish territory contrary
to the will of the people, abrogated, dishon.
| ored, and trampled upon all the sacred obi.
| cations which they had contracted with the
| 9paniards Of both worlds. who with their
| blood and treasures had placed them on the
throne, in opposition toTthe efforts of the
house of Austria: sGchCconduct has render.
ed them unfit to re over free people
whom they dispossd Of like gang Of slaves
Nc intrusive governments which have ar
rog'fed to themselves he authority which
beloAgs only 20 the national representation
trcacherously availedthcmeiveso fthe known
good faith, the distance, and effects, which ig.
| norance and oppressionhad produced among
! the Americans, to direct their passions a
| gainst The new dynasty which had been impo
sed upon Spain, and ia opposition to theil
own principles, kept up the illusion amongs
us in favor of Ferdinand, but only in order
to battle our national hopes and TO make u,
with greater impunity their prey they held
forth to us promises Of liberty, equality, ant