HISTORY OF EUROPE. 



227 



Juntas, would be to establish, in 

 favour of the European deputies, 

 a mode of election very different 

 from that granted to the inhabi- 

 tants of America. It would be a 

 refusal to these last of the prepon- 

 derance due to their numerous 

 population. The inhabitants of 

 Caraccas had long refrained from 

 thus expressing their sentiments, 

 under the persuasion that the 

 union of all the Spaniards was the 

 only bulwark that could preserve 

 the monarchy from the threaten- 

 ing storm. As for the preserva- 

 tion of that union they had sacri- 

 ficed their own interests, and ex- 

 hibited to the world, as they con- 

 ceived, an example of great dis- 

 interestedness, patriotism, and 

 resignation. Affairs now wore a 

 different aspect. The greater part 

 of the peninsula was occupied by 

 the armies of France, and the Cen- 

 tral Junta was dissolved, and dis- 

 persed. What remained for the 

 Americans but to consult their own 

 security?* The inhabitants of Ca- 

 raccas, in consequence of the lan- 

 guage lately held to them, the evils 

 they had lately suffered, not only 

 at the hands of the Royal Junta, 

 but those of the Royal Audienza ; 

 their reiterated attempts to subvert 

 the laws, the suspicious that ren- 



dered it necessary to inquire into 

 their conduct — the people of Ca- 

 raccas, in these circumstances, 

 thought it their duty to depose 

 them. They first unanimously de- 

 prived them of the nominal, and 

 afterwards of the realpower; which 

 they did with an order, generosity, 

 and moderation unknown in the 

 history of even the Spanish nation. 

 They hoped that the Spanish Re- 

 gency would concert with thera 

 the most proper means for esta- 

 blishing a solid union between 

 the Spaniards of the two hemi- 

 spheres. No union, that had not 

 for its basis an equahty of inte- 

 rests and rights, could be perma- 

 nent. They said in conclusion, 

 «' If any of our fellow citizens, 

 despairing of the fate of the mo- 

 ther country, shall come to seek 

 an asylum at Venezuela, they will 

 find among us the most generous 

 hospitality, and proofs of the 

 warmest attachment."t 



The Council of Regency, Cadiz, 

 September 6, addressed a mani- 

 festo to the Spanish subjects of 

 Ferdinand VII. in the Indies. 

 After a warm eulogium on the 

 patriotic enthusiasm, constancy, 

 and fidelity of their brethren in 

 America, they deplore the troubles 

 at Caraccas, which they ascribe to 



• There was a consideration, which though not specified in this manifesto, had 

 Kreat weight with the Revolutionists. It was asserted by the American deputies, 

 in the assembly of the Cortes, February, 1812, that the principal motive of the 

 insurrection was, to prevent, in the case of the conquest of Spain, the Americans 

 being subjugated by Napoleon, which was the intent of their governors. And, it 

 was very natural, they added, that it should so happen, " as the old Spaniards 

 would do any thing rather than lose their preponderance in America, and their 

 connection with the mother country." We are very sorry to add, wliat seems to 

 give some countenance to this suspicion, that, in fact, the Spaniards have certainly 

 shown greater unity, promptitude, and energy in their efforts for reducing the 

 insurgent colonists to obedience and dependence on the mother country, than itt 

 any measures for liberating the peninsula from the intrusion of the French 



t The Supreme Junta of Caraccas to the members of the Regency of Spain- 

 Palace of the Government of Caraccas, May 3j 1810. 



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