744 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



we have decreed the abolition of ar- 

 bitrary power, from the time we an- 

 nounced the re-establishment of our 

 Cortes. Such is, Spaniards, the 

 use we have made of the unlimited 

 power and authority con6ded to us ; 

 and when your wisdom shall have 

 established the basis and form of 

 government most proper for the in- 

 dependence and good of the state, 

 we will resign the authority into 

 the hands you shall point out, con- 

 tented with the glory of having giv- 

 en to the Spaniards the dignity of 

 a nation legitimately constituted. 

 May this solemn and magnificent 

 assembi)' be productive of effica- 

 cious means, energy, and fortune; 

 may it be an immense inextinguish- 

 able volcano, from which may flow 

 torrents of patriotism to revivify 

 every part of this vast monarchy, to 

 inflame all minds with that sublime 

 enthusiasm which produces the 

 safety and glory of nations, and the 

 despair of tyrants ; and yourselves, 

 noble fathers of the country, to the 

 elevation of your high duties, and 

 Spainexalted with you toan equally 

 brilliant destiny, shall see returned 

 into her bosom for her happiness, 

 Ferdinand 7th and his unfortunate 

 family ; shall see her sons enter on 

 the path of prosperity and glory 

 which they ought henceforth to 

 pursue, and receive the crown of 

 the sublime and almost divine ef- 

 forts w hich they are making. 



Marquis of Astorga, president. 



Pedbo de Kiveko, sec-gen. 



Official Proclamation. 



" Considering the necessity of 

 multiplying the resources of the 

 army of his Imperial majesty, and 

 of depriving the rebels aud traitors 



of the means of procuring animals 

 to accomplish their atrocious de- 

 signs, it is hereby declared, that all 

 the horses and mares belonging to 

 the provinces in Upper Spain, viz. 

 in the districts of Salamanca, Za- 

 moras, Toro, Leon, Placentia, Bur- 

 gos, Guipuscoa, and Alva, of the 

 height of four feet four inches, or 

 five feet half an inch of the measure 

 of Spain, and from thence upward, 

 are in requisition for the armies of 

 France, and are to be conducted to 

 the capital ofthe respective govern- 

 ments, where they are to be received 

 and maintained by the governors, 

 until the returns made to me shall 

 enable me to give directions for the 

 disposal of them. 



"All the horses of less than four 

 feet four inches, or five feet half an 

 inch high, Spanish measure, also 

 mares pregnant for more than three 

 months, and horses and mares that 

 are not 30 months old, and less than 

 theheight mentioned, are to have the 

 left eye put out, and are to be ren- 

 dered by other proper means unfit 

 for military service by the proprie- 

 tors themselves. Those who pre- 

 sume to disobey this command, are 

 to be mulcted in four times the value 

 of the animals. 



"The execution of this order is 

 to be committed to the governors, 

 commandants of arms, and to the 

 commandants of detachments and 

 flying columns. (Signed) 



"Kellerman, 



Gen. of division, and governor- 

 general of Upper Spain. 



«'2Sth Oct. 1809." 



Speech 



