The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-27
Cube. E.aaeipasisa Preel..st,ou.
The following is the emancipation proclamstic
Of the insurgent government

The following is the emancipation proclamation
Of the insurgent government
tet Of Cuba and charged with its provisional govern
The revolution of Cuba. in proclaiming the in
dependence OF the Patria. has thereby decreed
all the liberties with II; and the great improperly
of limiting these would scarcely tally or be &C
ceptaole we're IL extended only to one portion OF
Cuba as slave owning country, and the abolition
Of Spanish institutions ought to include and does
include. from necessity and for reason Of the
highest justice. that of slavery one of the most
iniquitous of all. As such it is set down, among
the principles proclaimed, to be abolished, in
manifest first given BY the revolution. II appears
to the minds OF all Cubans truly liberal matter
OF absolute realization, which has TO be the first
OF its acts by which the country Is to make use OF
It's conquered rights. But It is only for the people
to fulfill that realization as general measure.
When IN ample use of those rights they can de-
termine on the best means, through the medium
Of free suffrage, to carry it into effect with real
advantage, the same for the former as for the new
citizens. The object of the present measures is
not, therefore, nor could il be, the repeal of
right Of which they are far from considering them
selves invested by those that at present are at the
head Of the operations of the revolution. precipi
tating the sequal of question 80 very important.
But the provisional government, though thus
powerless, at the same time opposes itself to the
use Of the right which our laws afford, that may
influence numerous owners of slaves to enamel.
pate them Immediately, and, on the other hand. il
being desirable to reap the advantage at present
of having those H6ertos in the service of the com.
mon pdt'iG, with the necessity of putting stop
to the evils which might arise to them and to the
country, owing to the absence Of immediate en-
ployment. II becomes urgent to adopt provisional
measures which viii serve as rule to the military
chiefs that operate in the various districts of this
department, In order to judge of those cases that
ma present themselves of that nature.
Therefore, and in virtue of the faculties with
which am vested, / have decided that for the
present, and while nothing to the contrary be
agreed upon by the people, the following articles
be observed:
First-Al slaves are declared as free 30 soon as
their owners present themselves for this purpose
to the military chiefs, they, the said proprietors
reserviDg to themselves the right, should they so
desire il, of title to such indemnity as the nation
may decree, and with the option of larger one
than that. which may be fixed hereafter. For this
purpose the respective certificates will be issued
to the owners of such slaves.
Second-Those freedmen will for the present
be utilized in the service Of the country in the
manner that may be resolved upon.
Third-For this purpose commission will be
named, that will see to the best employment to
which they shall be applied, in conformity with
the rules that will be formed.
Fourth-IndepeRden of the foreseen event the
slaves of Cubans loyal to the cause and of neutral
Spaniards and foreigners will be dealt with In &C.
cordance with the principle Of respect for proper
~ as proclaimed by the revolution.
Fifth-The slaves of persons convicted Of being
enemies of the patria and openly opposed to the
revolution shall be confscated, like any other
property, and declared free and without any right
to indemnity. while the said slaves will be utilized
in the service Of the country in the terms already
prescribed.
Sixth-In order to determine upon the confsca-
tons referred to in the foregoing article, the re-
spective process will be formed in each case.
Seventh-Those proprietors that facilitate their |
slaves for the service of the revolution without |
giving them their liberty at present viii preserve
their property.
Eighth-The slaves employed in the palisades |
who may be presented to the Cuban authorities |
shall be declared as free Immediately, with the |
right TO live either among to continue in the |
towns or the woods, recognizing and obeying the |
government of the revolution.
Ninth-The runawsys that be captured, or those |
that without the consent of their masters present /
themselves to the authorities or military chiefs, |
will not be received without previous consultation
with their owners an order adopted by this gov
eminent. in conformity with the resolution con-
tained in the previous decree. Patria and liber-
tad. CARLOS MANUEL CEsPEDEs,
Bayamo, Dec. q, 1s6s.