Palladium Of Virginia And The Pacific Monitor

FOREIGN NEWS.

PROCLAMATION.

Spaniards. It being the first care of a King to promote the happiness of his subjects, and this being incompatible with the uncertainty which at present hangs on the future destiny of the nation, and of the individuals comprising it, I hasten to calm the anxieties and inquietude arising from an apprehension that despotism will be established, or that it be governed by faction. Identified with the nation, I have with her run every hazard of the war to the last, but the imperative law of necessity, compels a termination to it. Under the difficulty arising from these circumstances, my powerful voice alone can chase from the kingdom vengeance and persecution.

[The preamble goes on to state Ferdinand's anxiety to dissipate the horrors which threatened Cadiz, and to put an end to the disasters of war with which view he had resolved to quit the city on the succeeding day, previously making known his sentiments in the following manifestation]:

I declare from my own free and spontaneous will and promise, under the faith and security of my Royal word, that if it should be found necessary to make any alteration in the existing political institutions of the Monarchy I will establish a Government which will cause the complete felicity of the nation, guaranteeing the security of the persons, property, and civil liberty of the Spanish people.

2. In like manner, I promise, of my own free and spontaneous will, and have resolved to carry into effect, a general act of oblivion, complete and absolute, for all that is past, without any exception; in order that by so doing, tranquility, confidence and union, so necessary to common good may be established among the Spanish people, and which the paternal heart so earnestly yearns after.

3. In like manner, I promise, that whatever change may be made, the public debts, and obligations contracted by the nation, and by my government under the present system shall be acknowledged.

4. I also promise and assure, that all Generals, chiefs, officers, sergeants, and corporals, of the army and navy, who have hitherto attached themselves to the existing systems of government in whatever part of the Peninsula, shall preserve their grades, employments, salaries and honours: and in like manner, all other military functionaries shall preserve theirs and those civilians and ecclesiastics, who have followed the Government and the Cortes, who depend on the existing system; and those who by reason of the reductions which may be made cannot preserve their employments, shall enjoy, at the least, one half the salaries which they now have.

5. I declare and assure equally, that as well as the Militia Volunteers of Madrid, of Seville, and of other places, who may now be in this island, as also whatever other Spaniards may have taken refuge in it, who are not by reason of their employments obliged to remain, may from this moment freely return to their homes, or transfer themselves to any part of the kingdom they may think proper, under the fullest security of not being molested at any time on account of their anterior political conduct or opinions; and the militia who may be in need of it, will obtain for their journey the same assistance as the individuals composing the government army. Spaniards of that class, and strangers who may wish to quit the kingdom, may do so with equal liberty, and will obtain the necessary passports for the country where it may suit them to go.

"FERDINAND."

Cadiz, September 30, 1823.