Washington telegraph., 1851-08-13
Declaration of Independence Of the Citi-
zens Of Puerto Principe.
TO the Inhabitants Of Cuba. and to all

zens Of Puerto Principe.
TO the Inhabitants Of Cuba. and TO all
Freemen,
Every people possesses the inalienab
rirht Of changing the form of Govern
ment by which it is ruled, whenever its
interests. its honor and its safety require
such a change; since il is only for its ad-
vantage that it has delegated its powers
10 certain determinate persons.
A Government which is standing
conspiracy against the governed. loses its
vitality and becomes despo,ism iutoler-
able to rational men. In such a case
the sovereignty reverts, of right TO the
centre whence it emanated, to be again
remodeled into such form as may best
suit tn, wants and circumstances Of
those to whom that sovereignty apper-
tains.
The people Of Cuoa present strong.
perhaps the strongest, Of all possible cases
for the application of these sacred prin-
ciples. inasmuch as the colonial despo-
tism of Spain over thisisland is uE-
equaled in the history Of nations.-
Wherefore, resuming our outraged
rights, we have this day. determined to
throw off the shackles of our tyrarts, and
and to raise the bright standard of free
dom to lead US to victory, with the unal-
terabie purpose. OF raising ourselves to
the rank Of free people; or uf meeting
on the field Of battle a glorious death,
preferable, a thousand times, to the de-
grading slavery which is now our lot.
But, as revolution is always attended
by sacrifices, caiamiies, aud disasters, It
is incumbent on us--in addition to the
sell.evdent axiom set forth in the com
meucemeut of this solemn declara-
tion-to expose the just causes which
have impeled us to assume the position
which we now occupy.
The world must know the grievons in
Justice, aud arbitrary vexaIions, which
the Spanish Government has exercised,
and does now exercise towards the mis-
erable inhabitants of Cuba Injustice aud
oppression Of such magnitude, that the
sutIerings Of any other people, compared
with ours, are but as a shadow to a re-
allly.
The Spanish Government has deprived
us of all political rights, maintaining us
standing thar our population, wealth and
other circumstances render us superior TO
the greater part of her turbulent, poor
and ignorant provinces. The natural
consequence OF this usurpatlon is. thai
she imposes upon us the heavles: con
tributions, against our Will aud con-
sent, (Which alone could render them le-
gitimate) and which, whilst they impov-
ersh the country, are employed III the
support OF numerous army and navy,
in the payment of many and useless sal
ar;e4 officers, aud keeping up the luxury
of a corrupt aud vicious Court.
The Spanish Government does, in ef-
feet, prohibit US from embracing either
the ecclesiastical o. c!yi! vsofesslons; be-
cause education, liistead OF being gratu.-
tous, is rendered so costly that the rich
aione-who in general are absorbed In
the management of their estales-can
participate therein. Such a system has
been evidently framed for the purpose OF
keeping Us Ill ignorance, III order that
despollsln may reign triumphant.
The Spanish Government, SO far from
encouraging the cultivation of the me-
chanlcal arts, has constantly induced per-
sons of color 10 apply themselves thereto.
with the sole diabolical and avowed OBJ
lect Of preventing the Cubans from dedl-
eating themselves to those useful and
honorable pursuits. 1t has looked TO our
ideness aud ignorance. foslered by her
hearlless policy, as the surest means OF
unftting US for the assertion of our rights
as !reemen, aud the performances OF our
duties as men,
This same government bestows upon
the natives of the Peninsula all the Of.
fees aud places of emolument or honor,
without any regard 10 merit; and. faith
ful to its perpacious maxims, it has pro.
vided no law for the Cuban but the ever.
changing will of the Captain General OF
the Island.
The Cuban possesses no security for
his life and property; for, besides the no.
torious partiaiity OF the Government.
always exercised against the native Gu.
ban, the criminal laws have fallen into
dlsuse, and most Of the civil laws, through
the progress OF the age, have become iu-
applicable.
The Spanish Government, contrary to
the painest principles OF sound Legislation
and OF humanity, aud as II the Island OF
Cuba We're constantly i'll eXceplonable
circumstances has Tor years past estab-
iished and maintained IN our mldsi an eX-
ecuuye and permanent military commls-
sion, which, In utter eonlempt OF indl-
vIdual liberty, without proof, and often
without Just cause OF Suspicion, and
solely upon the bidding of the Captain
General delivers the unfortunate Cuban
TO an iGnominous death upon he scaltold,
conhscates his property, or sends him
IntO exile. ..,.4
As a necessary fQnSenuence Of the