The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-09-06
:DotttDecll n!srtca.
, INDEPENDENCE OF SOUTH
AMERICA.

Vi 'ne provinces formerly subjected to the
Spanish yoke, in that part Of South Americ a
GATED Venezuela. and the establish niefis of
the only form Of government. that Of a [e-
aerGI and reilresentat'De fehu5ic founded
on the equal rights OF mankind. which is
calculated 10 assure the liberty aad happi~
neess OF the human species The prcvin-
ces conss of seven |; but the spirit of liberty
ana independence is not cOnEtci to Venez-
ue!a, it extends 60 the whole oe South
america and we expect daily to near of
another republic being establsact By The
rpeople OF the province of Santa Re and the
provinces thereio contis uous IKE course
pursued, varies 40 moro from the course
pursued by the United States Of North
America. tnan what difference Of circum
stances have rendered unavoidable, aud np.
on the whole the event is suspicious for
this favored .continent--.luroya,
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH.
We, the representa- uves Of ,he federal
PROVINCES OF Caracas, Cumana Bar.nas.
Margarita. Barcelona. Merida, and Trux.
lilo, constituting the confederation OF Ven
ezueia OH the southern Continent of Ameri-
ca, IN congress assembled considering.
that we have been in the. full and entire
possession OF our natural rights Since the
lSth OF Aprii. 1910, which We re-assunled
III consequence OF the transactions at Bay
onne, tue abdication OF the Spanish throne
by the conquest of Spain, and the accession
OF new dynasty: established without our
Consent: While we avail ourselves of the
rights OF men, which have been withheld
from US by force for more than three cen.
tn les, and to which'we are restored by the
-pohttcai revolutions IN human affairs we
think IL becoming to state t. the world the
reasons by which we are called to the free
exercise OF the sovereign authority.
we deem 1t unnecessary to insist upon
the unquestioaable right which every con
quered Country holds TO restore itself To Ii
Derty ana independence we pass. over in
generous silence, the long series OF afaic
tons, expressions, and privations IN which he
iatal la" OF conquest has uIdiscrininately
INV Owed the discoveries. couquerors, and
settlers OF these countreis whose condition
has BEEN made wre,ched by the very means
which should have promoted their felicity
throwing veil over three centuries of Span
iSh domination in America, we shall conf;ne
ourselves to the narration of recent aad well
Known facts, which prove how much we
have been afflicted and that we should not
be involved in the commotions, disorders.
and conquest, which have divided
Spain.
The disorders in Europe had enc creased
the evils under which we before suffered
by ooStFncung Complaints and irustratinK
n means OF redress by au,horising the
governors placed over Us by SPAN 20 IN
suit and Cypress Us WITH IMMUNITY, leaving
us without the protection o. the support of
the laws.
1t is contrary to the order of nature, i'm
pracucaoie IN relation to the government OF
spain, and has been most affecting 10 Amer
that tFYrIfnri..o- \,
and population IncomparaOly more hume
rous should be subjected and dependent or
pennsular corner OF the European con-
tiuent.
The eession and abdication made at Bay
onne, the transactions at Tie Escurial a ID
at Aranluez and the orders ssaed by the
Imperial lieutenant the marshal duke of
Berg to America, authorised the ezersise
oi those rights; which till that period The
American had sacrificed to the preserva-
'ion and integrity of lie Spanish ma
IioD.
The people OF Venezuela, we're the first
who generally acknowledged, aud who pre-
Lerred that integrity, never forsaking the
interests OF their EuropeOn brethren while
there remained the least prospect OF SAL
vatlon.
America had acquired a new existence
she was able and was bound TO take charge
"i her own safety and prosperity size was
at liberty to acknowledge W to reject the
authority Of king VINO vas 50 little dc
serving oil taat power as to regard mis- per-
son@i safety more than that OF the mgtior
over which ne had been placed.
al he bOorbOns Who cOncurred in the
!uuie snpu!ations of BayonBe. having with
drawn from the Spanish tcrrt6ry contrary
10 the viii OF the people, abroga:ed, disho-
hored and trampled upon at tne sacredob.
liSations which they had contracted WIN
the Spaniards OF both worlds. who win
their blood and reasure had placed them
OH the throne, In opposition 10 the efforts
OF the house OF AastriA such conuuct has
rendered them unit % rule over free peo-
PIE, whom they GiSposed OF like a gang OF
slaves.
Inc instrusIve governments which have
artosated to themselves the authority whicn
belongs only to the national Representation,
ireacderDUs!y avaricd themselves Of the
known goUd faith, the distance and effects.
"hich ignorance ami Oppression mad pro
duced Among the Americans, to direct tlic;r.
passions az inst the new dynastv which
lad been Inpo,cd upon Spain. and in CD
position to their own principles, kept up the
illusion amongst rs ~ favor Of Ferd nand.
I Dat Oaiy 10 order 10 balGe our national hopes
ADD 70 make Us, with greater impunity.
'heir prey; they held forth TO as promises
lot Liberty, equality and fraternity in pom
ipous uiscJuTses, The more CIcctually tocon-
ceal the snare which they were insidiousiy
laying Tor us By an inefficient and degrading
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