Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Translated for the Phil. Register.

HAVANNA.

A committee has been appointed composed of the members of the royal consulado, patriotic society and Ayuntamiento (city assembly) to draft the instructions for the deputies of the Cortes elected by this city, as was inserted in our Gazette No. 150. This deputation likewise proposed some questions to the Ayuntamiento, which were very ably and wisely answered by them the 24th September last. The principal of which are as follows:

1st. The means of carrying on the most just of wars.

The Ayuntamiento agreed, in perfect unanimity, that this question did not absolutely require their interposition, as the ardent and inextinguishable zeal of this province for the national cause was manifest and notorious to the Cortes and to the nation entire. That she will contribute very satisfactorily, notwithstanding her embarrassments, to her proportional part, observing the same regulations in this respect, as were enacted by the ancient Cortes.

2d. The manner of governing the nation during the captivity of our beloved sovereign.

What the Cortes shall have resolved or may hereafter resolve on this important point, will be implicitly obeyed by this faithful city, which in the midst of so many misfortunes and sufferings made it her occupation to offer up to heaven the sincere prayers for the welfare of the Cortes, by making a judicious choice of men and measures to administer the state.

3d. The conduct that is to be observed in case Napoleon should propose to restore our king to the throne, but subject to his will.

This point was discussed, as the same question appeared in the papers of Spain of the month of June, and made some sensation, and there was consultation held thereon, which can only be attributed to its not having been seen in its true light.
Whilst Ferdinand the 7th is under the control of Napoleon, and surrounded by his bayonets, his situation in Madrid will be the same as in Valence, and only be considered a prisoner; none of his actions can be free, and of course cannot have the least effect over the sacred rights of his subjects. Wherefore the Ayuntamiento answered, that question with great dignity in the following terms: "Relying in this affair, as they do in every other, on the invincible magnanimity of the national congress, we will only say, that the hatred and odium to tyranny, and even to French influence, has taken such strong root in this portion of the Spanish soil, that it cannot be pulled up without carrying with it every heart."

4th. Rules or the deliberation, duration and safety of the Cortes.

The Ayuntamiento reflects on the immensity and reach of the power vested in this congress, trusts that notwithstanding it will not be the cause of those evils, which in other times might be apprehended, and firmly believes that the chosen sons on whom the Spanish nation has placed not only its salvation but its regeneration, will perceive that neither the one nor the other is to be obtained by an accumulation of all the social powers; and their first object will be to treat about its wise distribution, a proper equilibrium, and of a rational duration. These are the sentiments and hopes of the Ayuntamiento and people of the faithful island of Cuba, who likewise expect that as soon as the Cortes shall have complied with the most necessary objects of the nation, they will remove from the place where they had assembled to execute them with greater promptness. America wishes to see the Cortes far from the bayonets, far from the noise of the cannon and still farther from the various and dangerous effects likely to result from such a situation, not from the unalterable courage and bravery of the fathers of the country, but from the many incidents attached to a large population.
5th. Rules which were to be observed in case the peninsula should be subdued.

The Ayuntamiento of the Havanna can never pretend to dictate them; but yet will manifest its liberal principles by observing the oath which binds it with the unfortunate Ferdinand and all his dynasty. Imitating the conduct of the provinces of Spain, and wishing, as they have manifested until now, that the Spanish empire should be preserved and consolidated in the countries where Napoleon's power cannot extend; solemnly declare that even in the painful case of the peninsula's subjugation, they will implicitly obey the orders of the present Cortes, and of the government they may have instituted; relying that if the national representation of the Americas should not be complete, it shall immediately be completed, and afterwards will be taken into consideration the measures and alterations which will become necessary by a like subversion.

The Ayuntamiento confirms what they have asserted from the beginning, that they will obey and observe the orders of the present Cortes, or the government they may have instituted; or of any of the faithful members who should escape from every place where they may assemble, provided it is not an enemy's; but in this it cannot but express its desire that the seat of the empire should be established in Mexico, it being worthy, for many reasons, of this great preference. This act contains other points relative to the island of Cuba, and concludes with an expressive declaration of the indissoluble attachment to the national cause, which is engraven on their hearts in large characters; and the profound respect to whatever may be resolved on or decreed by the Cortes.