The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-09-06

ny which they were menaccd, all their for
rner services were disrcgarded new inea
snres were adopted against US. and the We.
ry steps taken for the preservation of the
Spanish government, were bran led with the
titles OF insurrection, periidy and iugrati
tude, but only because the door was close L
against monopoly of power which they
nau expected To perpetuate in the name I'll
hlng, whose dominion was imaginary.
| Notwithstanding oar mode ration, our ge
nerosity, and the purify of cur intentions,
and in opposition to the wishes oil our brs
thren in Europe. we were declared TO the
World IN state of blockade hostilities
were commenced against Us agents sent
among Us to excite revolt and arm us a
gaInst zach other whilsi our national cha
racter was traduced, and foreign Dations ex
cited to make war upon as
Deaf to nnr "Reminiscences. without sub
uniting ur'reasons to the impartial Judg
ment OF mankind. and deprived of every o.
ther afbitrament but that of our enemies
we were prohibited from all Intercourse
with our brethren and, adding contempt
TO caiomny, they undertook Ia appoint dele
gates for u.s. and without our consent, who
were to assist at their Cortes. the more Ell
fectaaily to dispose of cur persons and pro-
perty, and render us subject to the power
OF our enemies.
In order to defeat the wholesome mea-
sure of our national representation. when
obliged TO recognize it, they undertook TO
reduce the ratio OF our population. submit
ting the forms OF election to servile com
mittees, acting at the disposal of arbitrary
rulers; thus insulting our inexperiehce and
good Faith, and utterly regardless of ourpo-
litical Importance or our welfare.
The Spanish government, ever deaf to
the demands of justice, undertook 10 frus-
trate all our legitimate rights, by condemn
ing as criminals, and devoting to the infamy
OF the gibbet, or 70 conhscation and Danish
ment' thoseAmericans who at different pc
riods had employed their talents and servi
ces for the happiness of their Country.
Such were the causes which at length have
impelled US to look to our own security,
and to avert those disorders and horrible
caiamiiies which we could perceive were no
otherwise inevitable, and from which we
shall ever keep aloof by their fell policy
they have rendered our brethren insensible
so our missortuues and have armed them a.
Gainst US; they have effaced from their
hearts the tender impression f love and
con 'ansuinity, and converted into enemies
many members OF our great family.
When, faithful to our promises, we were
sacrificing our peace and dignity IN sup
port the cause of Ferdinand OF Bourbon we
saw, that to the bonds of power by which he
united MS fate 70 that of the Emperor Of the
French, he added the sacrifice of kindred
and friends and that on ibis account the
existing Spanish rulers themselves nave al
ready resolved to acknowledge HIM only
condi,ionally. In this painful state OF per
pleMty, three years have elapsed in polti-
callfresolution, so dangerous so fraught with
evil that thic olnus wv ho1, A
the determination whicD the faith we had
pledged, and other fraternal attachments
had caused US to defer, till iu.perious ne
csssity compeis us TO proceed further than
we had hrst contemplated but, pressed by
the hostile and unnatural Conduct of the
Spanish rulers, we are at length absolved
from the conditional oath which we had ta-
ken, and nov take Upon us the august so
which we are called here to ex.
erclse.
But as OUT glory consists in establishing
principles consistent with human happiness,
and not erecting Partial felicity en- the
mistortunes OF our fellow -mortals, we here
BY proclaim aud declare, that se shall re.
gard as friends and companions in our des-
unY, and participatorS OF cur happiness, all |
chose, who. uni;ed by the relations of blood,
language and religion, have suffered oppres-
sion under the ancient establishments, and
who shall assert their independence there
Of, and of any foreign power whatsoever,
engaging that all VINO shall cooperate with
us, shall partake in life. fortune and opini
Mon, declaring and recognising not only
these, but those OF every naticn, in war.
enemies; in peace, friends. brethren and
fellow citizens.
In consideration thereof, Of these solid
public and ircontcstble motives, waich
force upon us the necessity of re assuming
our natural rights, thus rrs;ored To us ~
the revolution or human affairs, md in viz
tue Ut the imprescript Die lights OF every peo-
pie, TO dissolve every agreement, convent
OH or social Compact, wnish dOtn NOT estaD
lish the purposes for which alone all go
vernments are Instituted, sc are convinced
that we cannot, and ought not any longer,
to endure the chains by which wa were
connected with the government Of Spain
aud we do declare. like every other indie
pendent people, that we are free, and dc.
termIned to hold mo dependence on any DO.
tentate, power or government, than we our
selves establish and that we now take
mong the sovereign nations of the earth.
the rank which the Supreme Being and ma
lurc have assigned to US, and 10 which we
have been called by the succession OF mn
man events, aud by 4 regard for our owe
happiness.
Although we foresee the difficulties which
may attend our new situation, and the obi
cations which we Contract by tie rank which
we are about to occupy III the political ofde
Of the world aud, ABOVE all, the powerful
.ingnsncp of ancient fortns nod E,L.,- T.