and the other cities of Spain; and she was empowered, in like manner, as the above two faithful capitals, to do what she con◄ ceived was advisable in such urgent circumstances; the difference alone is, that the one only proposed, and the others carried their principles into execution."

"These most innocent examples, and besides necessary and useful to the public cause, point out what ought to be done to organize a governing junta, composed of the Royal Audencia, the Archbishop, Municipality, and Deputies from the Tribunals, Ecclesiastical and Secular bodies, the Nobility, principal Citizens, and Military. This Junta shall deliberate on the most weighty matters which surround us, and these shall be determined as most conformably to our interests."

"The Junta is necessary, for although we are at present, free from the urgent danger which threatened us, on the part of France; we, nevertheless, ought not, to neglect our means of defence, till we receive positive advices, which may make us perfectly easy. It is, at the same time, necessary, to fill up the immense void existing between the governing authorities aod the sovereignty, by procuring to the subjects the means of their felicity, and satisfying their hearts and wishes; thus replacing those means of appeal they before had to the council of the Indies, or to the person of the king; and finally, many amendments ought to be made in the nominations for secular and ecclesiastical dignities; these being the only means, by which the kingdom, thus united, and possessed of the high faculties which devolve to it, in consequence of the absence of the monarch, may overcome all difficulties."

"This union of authorities, is likewise necessary, as being the most admirable means to reduce the opinions of all the people to one vote; which will prevent the fatal consequences which, in the interiour and exteriour, will arise from disunion, and in such urgent moments, every one will then be happy, their patriotism and wishes, will be united by love, enthusiasm and a sense of the public good."

"The city, particularly, dwells on this means, and calls to mind, the benefits and triumphs which the monarchs thereby acquired, and by which, it adds, "the nation, animated by unanimity in each kingdom, is now attempting the most heroic of deeds. All nations, convinced, by experience, of its utility, have put it in practice, and our laws establish it, as the solid barrier to save the country from dangers."

"The city, consequently thinks that the time is arrived, for adopting the same means as have been carried into effect, in Spain. The Junta, which your Excellency is to form, for the present, of the authorities, and respectable bodies, as above referred, in the mean time that the representatives of the kingdom, are assembled, will carefully examine its interests, &c."

"But the two fundamental points on which the Junta is to act, ought not to be forgotten. The first is, that the authorities retain the full extent of their faculties, in the same manner, as if the derangement which we deplore in the monarchy, had not taken place. That is, that your Excellency still hold the same power which the laws grant, and that the same be observed with the other tribunals. The second is, that in order to fill up the immense void, which exists between the authority of your Excellency and the Sovereignty, it is necessary to recur to the kingdom represented in the executive, by the authorities and bodies existing in the capital, in union with the Municipality as Metropolitan. The remonstrance proves the grounds of this demand, by the example of the guardians of the king, who, when the father dies, without having named them, are chosen by the kingdom, by virtue of the sovereignty it exercises; and insisting that all acts ought to conduce to the keeping of Mexico for Ferdinand VII. it concludes, that the present moments are not to be disregarded, because the least injury in existing circumstances, may produce the most fatal consequences."

Observation. Herein are explained, in the most official form, (this being the report of the municipality of Mexico,) the motives

and grounds for preferring the authority of a Junta, to the arbitrary power of a viceroy. To this the audiencia was opposed, with whom the Enropeans all joined; and the viceroy was con vinced of the necessity and legality of a Junta, by the arguments laid before him, but the measure was not carried. This was the original and principal ground of dissention, in this as in the other sections, and it is melancholy to say, has caused the sacrifice of more than a million of lives, and the destruction of some hundred millions of property, besides that of many cities and

towns.

DOCUMENT D.

Royal Order of the Council of Regency of Spain and

66

the Indies.

August 31, 1810.

Scarcely had the Council of Regency received the unexpected and disagreeable news of the occurrences of Caracas, whose inhabitants, instigated, no doubt, by some intriguing and factious persons, have committed the indignity to declare themselves independent of the mother-country, and have created a governing Junta to exercise this supposed independent authority, when His Majesty determined to take the most active and efficacious means to attack this evil in its origin and progress. But, in order to proceed with that mature deliberation and circumspection, which a matter of such importance deserved, His Majesty conceived it advisable, previously to consult the supreme Council of Spain and the Indies. This has been done; and, consequently, such measures have been taken, as His Majesty

does not doubt will answer their end; particularly since, according to later accounts, neither the capital or province of Maracaibo or Coro, nor even the interior of that of Caracas, have taken part in this criminal proceeding; but have, on the contrary, not only acknowledged the Council of Regency, but, animated by the best spirits in favour of the people of the mother-country, have taken the most efficacious measures to oppose the absurd idea of Caracas, in declaring itself independent, without being possessed of the means of maintaining its independence. His Majesty, nevertheless, has considered it indispensable to declare, as he hereby declares, that the province of Caracas, is in the state of a rigorous blockade; at the same time commanding, that no vessel shall be allowed to enter its ports, under the penalty of being detained by eruizers and ships of His Majesty; and forbidding all commanders, and civil and military chiefs of all the provinces and dominions of His Majesty, to authorize any vessel whatever to proceed to La Guira; and ordering that they do not, on any pretext, grant any permits or licences to any vessel bound there, or to any other port or river of said province; moreover, commanding, that all vessels leaving the same, for whatever destination, be captured, seized, and confiscated, and that this order may have full effect, His Majesty sends a sufficient naval force, to hinder any vessel from going in or out of the ports of said province."

"His Majesty further ordains, that all the governors and chiefs of the provinces contiguous to the one above named, hinder therein, the introduction of provisions, arms, or warlike implements; and also the exportation of the produce of their soil or industry, and that they endeavour, by every possible means, to prevent any communication with the inhabitants of said province."

"This royal resolution, does not extend to the districts of the above captain-generalship, which, refusing to follow the pernicious example of Caracas, have manifested their constant fidelity, by renouncing the project of rebellion, which only originates in

the unlimited ambition of some persons, and in the blind credulity of others, who suffer themselves to be dragged away by the ardent passions of their citizens. His Majesty has taken the most secure measures, in order completely to extirpate these evils, and to punish the authors thereof, with all the rigour which the rights of sovereignty authorise him to use, unless there is a previous and voluntary submission: in which case, His Majesty grants them a general pardon. His Majesty commands, that this resolution shall circulate in all his dominions, for the purpose of its being carried into effect, as well also as in foreign countries, in order that they may there act conformably to the measures taken for the blockade of said coasts," &c. &c.

Observation. This decree was issued, without any previous communication with Caracas, as a means to ascertain its views. It is evident, that the Regency was sorely galled by its sovereignty not being admitted, yet few months afterwards, Spain herself declared this same to have been an illegal government. The object of the blockade, was principally against the British; and was not this a ground for some demonstration on the part of a minister, independent of the unjust and impolitie act, then committing, which could not fail to bring about a cruel and disastrous war? In order, however, that the basis of the above deeree, may be the better understood, I here subjoin an extract of the motives which induced the people of Caracas to confide their administration to a Junta, instead of a Viceroy (the great crime they had committed, and for which war was declared against them), but the curious on this subject, will do well to read the official details in No. 4 of El. Español.

The revolution in Caracas, broke out on the 19th April, 1810. The troops took part with the people, by which means, blood was avoided. The administration was confided to a Junta, till the votes were collected for the formation of a more substantial government secretaries, &c. were named. On the 29th, the new government published a manifest of its proceedings. This do