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shall be assembled in the Isthmus of Panama, they may fix, by common consent, the day on which the General Assembly shall be installed.

Fourthly, That the General Assembly of the Confederated States, also, have full liberty to choose, in the Isthmus of Panama, the spot which, from its salubrity, they may judge most proper to hold their Meetings.

Fifthly, That the Plenipotentiaries of Colombia and Peru shall on no account absent themselves from the Isthmus of Panama, from the time of their commencing their Preparatory Conferences, until the General Meeting of the Confederated States shall be assembled, and its Sittings be terminated.

I trust that these Propositions will evince the lively interest with which the Republic of Colombia awaits the realization of the grand designs of Divine Providence in this beautiful Hemisphere. Whom I fervently pray to take you into His Holy keeping.

His Excellency the Liberator.

SIR,

F. DE PAULA SANTANDER.

3.-The Government of Colombia to its Chargé d'Affaires at Buenos Ayres.

Palace of Government, Bogotá, March 6, 1825. I HAVE the honour to inform you, that, on the 4th of last February, this Government received the Circular of His Excellency the Liberator, charged with the Dictatorial Power of Peru, inviting this Republic, its Alley, to the Meeting of the Grand Assembly of the American States on the Isthmus of Panama, to which it has consented by a Special Convention. His Excellency the Vice-President, equally impressed with the importance of that object, suggested the following Points to facilitate its execution:

First, That the Governments of Colombia and Peru should authorize their Plenipotentiaries, assembled in Preparatory Conferences on the Isthmus of Panama, to enter into direct Correspondence with the Ministers of State and Foreign Affairs, of Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, and Buenos Ayres, pointing out to them the necessity of sending Plenipotentiaries from those Republics, with delay, to the General Assembly.

Secondly, That the Plenipotentiaries of Colombia and Peru may have free liberty to choose any place on the Isthmus of Panama, they may think the most eligible, from its salubrity, to hold their preparatory Conferences.

Thirdly, That when the Plenipotentiaries of Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala, or those of three at least of the said Republics, shall have assembled in the Isthmus, they shall be authorized to appoint, in concert, the day on which the General Assembly shall be installed.

Fourthly, That the General Assembly of the Confederated States shall also be at liberty to choose that part of the Isthmus of Panama, which it may consider the best, from its salubrity, to hold its sittings.

Fifthly, That the Plenipotentiaries of Colombia and Peru shall on no account absent themselves from the Isthmus of Panama, after they shall have commenced their Preparatory Conferences, until the Congress of the Confederated States shall have assembled, and have terminated its Sittings.

Many and various, in truth, are the matters which will occupy the Assembly of the American States.

The First will be, to renew the great Treaty of Union, Alliance, and perpetual Confederacy, against Spain or any other Power which might attempt to dominate over us.

2nd. To issue, in the name of their Constituents, a suitable Manifesto, upon the justice of their Cause, exposing the sinister views of Spain, and declaring our system of politics with respect to the other Powers of Christianity.

3rd. To consider of the condition of the Islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba; of the expediency of a combined force to free them from the Spanish Yoke; and of the proportion of troops which each State should contribute for that purpose; and to determine whether the Islands shall be united to either of the Confederated States, or be left at liberty to choose their own Government.

4th.-To conclude or renew a Treaty of Commerce between the New States as Allies and Confederates.

5th. To conclude a Consular Convention between all, which should clearly and distinctly lay down the functions and prerogatives of their respective Consuls.

6th. To take into consideration the means of giving effect to the declarations of the President of The United States of America, in his Message to the Congress of last year, with a view of frustrating any future idea of Colonization on this Continent by the Powers of Europe, and to resist any principle of interference in our internal affairs.

7th. To establish in concert those principles of the Rights of Nations, which are of a controversial nature, and especially those which relate to two Nations, one of which is engaged in War, whilst the other is neutral.

8th.-Lastly, to declare on whet footing the political`and commercial relations of those Parts of our Hemisphere, which, like the Island of Saint Domingo or Hayti, are separated from their ancient Government, and have not yet been recognized by any European or American Power, should be placed.

As the Three last Points equally interest The United States, considering them as Neutrals, the Government has thought proper to authorize our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at

Washington, to invite them to send Deputies to the proposed Assembly, as you will perceive by the Despatch, of which the inclosed is a Copy. I have hastened to take this step, trusting that the Allies of the Republic of Colombia will concur in the utility of it. It will give our good, sincere, and illustrious friends, The United States, a proof of the confidence which their disinterested proceedings have inspired amongst us; and the civilized world in general, a testimony of our desire to avoid all subjects of complaint or offence, that might arise from the state of war in which we still find ourselves. Assure the Minister for Foreign Affairs, therefore, that the Government of Colombia will feel a true pleasure in knowing that its views are perfectly in concert with those of the State of Buenos Ayres.

You will not lose a moment in communicating to me the determination of that Government, upon each of the Points contained in the present Communication.

In the mean time I have the honour, &c.,

Senor Don Gregorio Funes.

P. GAUL.

PROCLAMATION of the Supreme Director of Chile, for the assembling of the National Congress.-Santiago de Chile, July 12, 1825.

(Translation.) CIRCUMSTANCES, the most imperious and urgent, compel me to assemble the General Congress to which I had invited the Nation in my former Decrees.-These circumstances are of such infinite importance, that the preliminary steps formerly announced, and which, perhaps, in less difficult moments might better suit the Provinces, must be dispensed with.

Europe is about to take its resolution upon the fate of the Americas; and England has already recognized the Independence of Mexico, Colombia, and Buenos Ayres, awaiting the establishment of a legally constituted Government in Chili, to justify that Recognition, to which its valor, moderation, and virtue entitle it.

The new Governments invite us to assist in forming the South American Assembly, which is to organize the grand Compact of Union, and the Public Law for the New World. They have already sent their Plenipotentiaries to Panamá. The Government of Chile, embarrassed by these official invitations, owing to the non-existence of a National Representation, could only reply, that a National Congress was about to be installed, whose first Sittings would exclusively be devoted to this sublime object.

Important Negotiations, for the encouragement of industry, and the prosperity of Chile, remain in a manner paralyzed; because the Projectors await our solid and legal establishment, ere they will commence their speculations. According to the advices from our Plenipo

tentiary, upwards of 23 millions of dollars are now ready in England, in aid of our industry and agriculture.

The Government, without a Code of Laws to direct its Administration, knows not how to act: unable to adopt any fixed principles, or a conduct in unison with the Institutions of the Country, its course is feeble, and all its operations are impeded.

Under these urgent circumstances, I hope to see the Nation assembled on the 5th of September.

In order to ensure greater freedom and activity in the Elections, I have issued the annexed Convocation, from which it will be seen that I have taken the most effectual measures in my power for the preservation of impartiality and good order.

Inhabitants of Chile! The Nation knows too well that I have no interest at heart but that of my Country; no desire for any other dignity than that which is founded in its Glory. Nevertheless, I protest to you again, and that most solemnly, that I hold in the greatest abhorrence, (and will take care that the Judicial Authorities perform their duty, by punishing in the severest manner,) any Person who, directly or indirectly, shall assert that the Government exercises any sort of influence over the Persons or opinions of the Representatives. From motives of delicacy I have resolved, in order that it may not hereafter be alleged that the slightest deference or consideration to Authority have had any influence, that during the Elections all Governors depending upon the Directorial nomination shall be withdrawn.

It remains for you to proceed with the greatest purity and respect for the National interest. You are about to decide the fate of your Country: look well to your awful responsibility: tremble for the consequences, and the inexorable judgment of posterity. JUAN DE DIOS VIAL DEL RIO.

FREIRE.

DECREE of The King of Spain, relative to the strict observance of the Fundamental Laws of the Spanish Monarchy. (Translation.) Aranjuez, April19, 1825. SINCE the period when Divine Providence, commiserating the evils which the Revolution had inflicted upon Spain, was pleased to recompense the loyalty of my beloved Subjects, assisted by the valiant French Army, under the command of its Illustrious Chief the Duke d'Angoulême, my beloved Cousin, by restoring me to the Throne of my Ancestors, which a handful of rebels had usurped, I have dedicated my unceasing attention to encourage and increase the respect due to our most Holy Religion, and to re-establish that order and tranquillity, which are the foundation of the prosperity of Empires. Although it may not have been possible for me to correct, in the short time which has since elapsed, all the mischief occasioned by Anarchy in the different branches of the Public Administration, My Royal Mind feels, [1824-25.]

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nevertheless, the gratifying consolation of already beholding the beneficial results of my perseverance, and the progress made in the measures of improvement, the continuation of which, and my constant solicitude for the happiness of My People, inspires me with well-founded hopes that, by the assistance of the Almighty, the melancholy effects of the late disasters will soon be for ever obliterated, notwithstanding the machinations of the Revolutionists, who, however designing, ill intentioned and persevering, will in vain attempt to seduce the fidelity of My People, by calling in the aid of calumny and intrigue, to disseminate distrust, create suspicion, and introduce disunion.

I have learnt with the most lively concern, that this faction has for some time insidiously propagated alarming reports, that it is intended to advise and to compel me to introduce reforms and innovations, in the Administration and Government of my Kingdom, by altering its ancient and respected Laws, and by limiting My Royal Authority. To contradict this malicious, and at the same time criminal fabrication, is both my duty and a satisfaction to myself. I therefore declare, that I am not only resolved to preserve inviolate, and in all their plenitude, the legitimate rights of my Sovereignty, without resigning, either now or at any time, the smallest portion of them, or permitting the establishment of Chambers, or any other Institutions, whatever be their denomination, which are forbidden by our Laws and are contrary to our customs; and that I continue to receive the most solemn and positive assurances from all my August Allies, who have given me so many proofs of their good-will, and of their efficacious co-operation, for the welfare of my Kingdom, that they will, on all occasions, continue to support the legitimate Sovereign Authority of my Crown, without proposing or advising, directly or indirectly, any innovation in the form of my Government.

I declare at the same time my firm and decided resolution to observe and respect the Laws, without tolerating abuses of any kind, without permitting violence and intrigue to usurp the place of justice, and without consenting that any Persons shall escape the punishment due to disobedience and insubordination, under the pretence or appearance of attachment to My Royal Person or Authority.

The strict observance of the Laws, the prompt execution of my Decrees and Ordinances, and respect for the Authorities, are the solid principles of order and prosperity, which every truly loyal Spaniard, attached to his Sovereign, ought to lay down as the rule of his conduct, and are those which, notwithstanding all the intrigues and attempts of the ill-intentioned, will secure the Peace of my Kingdoms, and the well-being of my beloved Vassals, the dearest object of my Let this be made known, &c.,

solicitude.

Countersigned, F. DE ZEA BERMUDEZ.

THE KING.

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