[ clxvii. 195]

1821 March 23

Rid Yourselves

3. Better Creolia rule Spain

As to the exercise of the power of government taken at large the question has already been decided as you have seen in a direct and particular way - decided as you have seen by the Constitutional Code.

Look to Art. 2. The Spanish nation is free and independent and is not, nor can it be, the patrimony of any person or family. Look to Article the 3d. the Sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. Look back now to Article 1st. The Spanish nation consists of all Spaniards of both hemispheres. Thus according to this same Code between you and Ultramarians there is | | Look to Article 4. The Nation is obliged to preserve and protect ... the civil liberty and property, besides all other legitimate rights, of all individuals belonging to it: that is to say not only of you Spaniards but also of the people who far the purposes that are but too evident are decorated /stand invested with the title/ by the name of Spaniards. (a)

Well then these your so remotely settled kinsmen settled /for so many generation/ at such great distances from Spain, do you persist in retaining them Spaniards? /As soon as their deputies outnumber yours/ It is by them that you and your rulers, not by your rulers that the are to be governed. Are they not Spaniards? Then by the uniform declaration of the Code as little under it can your rulers have to govern them.

(a) [ marginal note probably to be included here, but this is not clearly indicated]

Look to Article the 27th. It is by the Deputies nominated by the Citizens in the manner therein referred to, the names of those deputies constituting the Cortes, that the Nation is represented. [ end of note]