Chief of the Armies for the 2 Floridas, commissioned by the Supreme Authorities of Mexico, South America, &c. Inhabitants of the Island of Amelia, Your Brethren of Mexico, Buenos Ayres, New-Granada and Venezuela, who are so gloriously engaged in fighting for their Independence, that inestimable gift which Nature has bestowed upon her Children, and which all civilized Nations have endeavoured to secure by social Compacts,-desirous that all the Sons of Columbia should participate in that imprescriptible right,-have confided to me the command of the Land and Naval Forces. Peaceable Inhabitants of Amelia, Do not apprehend any danger or oppression from the Troops which are now in possession of your Island, either to your persons, property or religion: however various the climes in which they may have received their birth, they are, nevertheless, your Brethren and Friends. Their first object will be to protect your rights; your property will be held sacred and inviolable; and every thing will be done to promote your real interests, by co-operating with you in carrying into effect the virtuous intentions of our Constituents; thereby becoming the instruments for the commencement of a National emancipation. Unite your Forces with our's, until Spanish America shall be placed by her high destinies in that rank amongst the Nations, which the Most High has appointed; a Country by its extent and fertility, offering the most abundant sources of wealth and happiness. The moment is important. Let it not escape, without having commenced the great work of delivering Columbia from that tyranny which has been exercised in all parts of it, and which, in order to continue its power, has kept the People in the most degrading ignorance, depriving them of the advantages resulting from a free intercourse with other Nations, and of that prosperity which the arts and sciences produce, when under the protection of wholesome Laws; blessings which you will be enabled properly to appreciate, only when you shall have become a free People. You, who have been badly advised to abandon your Homes, whatever may have been the place of your birth, your political or religious opinions, return without delay, and resume your former occupations. Deprecate the evil counsels which your Enemies may disseminate among you. Listen to the voice of honor,-to the promises of a sincere and disinterested Friend,—and return to the fulfilment of those duties which Nature has imposed upon you. He who will not swear to maintain that Independence which has been declared, will be allowed 6 months, to settle his affairs, to sell or remove his property without molestation, and to enjoy all the advantages which the Laws grant in such cases. Friends or Enemies of our present System of Emancipation, whoever you may be; what I say to you is the language of truth; which is the only language becoming a Man of honor; and as such, I swear to adhere religiously to the tenor of this Proclamation. Dated at Head Quarters, Amelia Island, 30th June, 1817. JOSEPH DE YRIBARREN, Secretary. GREGOR MACGREGOR. (3.)-Address of General MacGregor.-(Translation.) Head Quarters, San Fernandina, 1st July, 1817. GREGOR MACGREGOR, General of Brigade of the Armies of the United Provinces of New-Granada and Venezuela, and General in Chief of the Army destined to both the Floridas, with Commission from the Supreme Governments of Mexico, South-America, &c. Soldiers and Sailors, The 29th of June will be for ever memorable in the Annals of the Independence of South America. On that day, a Body of brave Men, animated by a noble zeal for the happiness of mankind, advanced within musket shot of the guns of Fernandina, and awed the Enemy into immediate Capitulation, notwithstanding his very favorable position. This will be an everlasting proof of what the Sons of freedom can achieve, when fighting in a great and glorious Cause, against a Government which has trampled upon all the natural and essential rights which descend from God to Man. In the name of the Independent Governments of South America, which I have the honor to represent, I thank you for this first proof of your ardour and devotion to her Cause; and I trust that, impelled by the same noble principles, you will soon be able to free the whole of the Floridas from tyranny and oppression. Then shall I hope to lead you to the Continent of South America, to gather fresh laurels in freedom's Cause. Your names will be transmitted to the latest posterity, as the first who formed a solid basis for the emancipation of those delightful and productive Regions, now for the most part groaning under the oppressive hand of Spanish despotism. The Children of South America will re-echo your names in their songs; your heroic deeds will be handed down to succeeding generations, and will cover yourselves and your latest posterity with a never-fading wreath of glory. The path of honor is now open before you. Let those who distinguish themselves look forward with confidence to reward and preferment. To perpetuate the memory of your valor, I have decreed, and do decree, a badge of honor, to be worn on the left arm of every Individual who assisted or co-operated in the reduction of the Island of Amelia; it will be of a circular form, of the diameter of 4 inches, and made of red cloth, with the device, "Vencedores de Amelia, 29 de Junio, de 1817,7 y 1," surrounded by a wreath of laurel and oak leaves, embroidered in gold for the Officers, and in yellow silk for the Men. The embroidered in gold for the Officers, aud in yellow silk for the Men. The Colours of the Corps of National Artillery, of the first Squadron of Cavalry, and of the Regiment of Columbia, shall have the same device embroidered on the right angle thereof. Long live the Conquerors of Amelia Island! Dated at Head Quarters, San Fernandina, 1st July, 1817.-7 & 1. GREGOR MACGREGOR. JOSEPH DE YRIBARREN, Secretary. DECLARATION of General Mac Gregor, as Commander-inChief of the Spanish-American Forces at Amelia Island, relative to the Blockade of the Floridas.-Fernandina, 21st August, 1817. (Translation.) GREGOR MAC GREGOR, Brigadier General of the Armies of the United Provinces of New-Granada and Venezuela, and General-inChief of the Army destined to emancipate the Provinces of both Floridas, serving under the Commission of the Supreme Governments of Mexico and South America, &c. &c. &c. It being requisite, by the state of the hostile operations undertaken by me against the Possessions of the King of Spain, both in East and West Florida, and having at my disposal the Maritime Forces indispensable for carrying into effect a formal Blockade ;-Be it known to all to whom these presents shall come, that, from and after the 15th day of September next ensuing, all ports, rivers, bays and inlets of the Coasts of both Floridas, from the South part of this Island to the River Perdido, are to be considered in a state of strict and rigorous Blockade. Wherefore, I do hereby notify to all Neutral Nations, as well as to the Friendly Governments of South America, of Mexico, and of the 2 Floridas, that the aforesaid Ports will be blockaded, agreeably to the usages and practices of other Nations; and that, such Blockade being necessary to the success of the Expedition entrusted to my care by the above-mentioned Republican Governments, for the emancipation of East and West Florida, I caution the Merchants of such Powers as may be interested in the Trade of the Spanish Possessions in the Floridas, not to risk their property by sending it thereto,-as, from the 15th of September, all Vessels bound to the said blockaded Ports shall be warned off; but in case they prove refractory, by endeavouring to hold a communication with the Enemy, all Vessels found violating the Blockade a second time, will be considered and held as good and lawful Prizes. Given at the Head Quarters of Fernandina, (Amelia Island,) on the 21st of August, 1817.-7 & 1. JOSEPH DE YRIBARREN, Secretary. GREGOR MACGREGOR. CONVENTION entre la France et le Portugal, relative à la délimitation de la Guyane.-Signée à Paris, le 28 Août, 1817. CONVENTION entre Sa Majesté le Roi de France et de Navarre, et Sa Majesté le Roi de Portugal, du Brésil, et des Algarves. ART. I. SA Majesté Très Fidèle, étant animée du désir de mettre à exécution l'Article CVII de l'Acte du Congrès de Vienne,* s'engage à remettre à Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne, dans le délai de 3 mois, ou plutôt si faire se peut, la Guyane Françoise, jusqu'à la Rivière d'Oyapock, dont l'embouchure est située entre le 4ème et 5ème degré de latitude septentrionale, et jusqu'au 322ème degré de longitude à l'est de l'Ile de Fer, par le paralléle de 2 degrés 24 minutes de latitude Septentrionale. II. On procédera immédiatement des deux parts à la nomination et à l'envoi de Commissaires pour fixer définitivement les limites des Guyanes Portugaise et Françoise, conformément au sens précis de l'Article VIII du Traité d'Utrecht,+ et aux Stipulations de l'Acte du Congrès de Vienne; les dits Commissaires devront terminer leur travail dans le délai d'un an au plus tard, à dater du jour de leur réunion à la Guyane. Si, à l'expiration de ce terme d'un an, lesdits Commissaires respectifs * Traité Général, signé en Congrès à Vienne, le 9 Juin, 1815. ART. CVII. SON Altesse Royale le Prince Régent du Royaume de Portugal et de celui du Brésil, pour manifester, d'une manière incontestable, sa considération particulière pour Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne, s'engage à restituer à sa dite Majesté la Guyane Françoise jusqu'à la Rivière d'Oyapock, dont l'embouchure est située entre la 4ème et le 5ème degré de Latitude Septentrionale, limite que le Portugal a toujours considérée comme celle qui avoit été fixée par le Traité d'Utrecht. L'époque de la remise de cette Colonie à Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne sera déterminée dès que les circonstances le permettront, par une Convention particulière entre les 2 Cours; et l'on procédera à l'amiable, aussitôt que faire se pourra, à la fixation définitive des Limites des Guyanes Portugaise et Françoise, conformément au sens précis de l'Article VIII du Traité d'Utrecht. ↑ Traité de Paix entre la France et le Portugal.-Utrecht, le 11e Avril, 1713. ART. VIII. AFIN de prévenir toute occasion de discorde qui pourroit naître entre les Sujets de la Couronne de France et ceux de la Couronne de Portugal, Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne se désistera pour toujours, comme elle se désiste dès à présent par ce Traité, dans les termes les plus forts et les plus authentiques, et avec toutes les Clauses réquises, comme si elles étoient insérées ici, tant en son nom, qu'en celui de ses Hoirs, Successeurs, et Héritiers, de tous droits et prétentions qu'elle peut et pourra prétendre sur la propriété des Terres appelées du Cap du Nord, et situées entre la Rivière des Amazones et celle de Japoc, ou de Vincent Pinson, sans se réserver ou retenir aucune portion desdites Terres, afin qu'elles soient desormais possédées par Sa Majesté Portugaise, ses Hoirs, Successeurs, et Héritiers, avec tous les Droits de Souveraineté, d'absolue puissance et d'entier domaine, comme faisant partie de ses Etats; et qu'elles lui demeurent à perpétuité, sans que Sa dite Majesté Portugaise, ses Hoirs, Successeurs, et Héritiers puissent jamais être troublés dans la dite Possession par Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne, ni par ses Hoirs, Successeurs, et Héritiers. ne parvenoient pas à s'accorder, les 2 Hautes Parties Contractantes procéderoient à l'amiable à un autre arrangement, sous la médiation de la Grande Bretagne, et toujours conformément au sens précis de l'Article VIII du Traité d'Utrecht, conclu sous la garantie de cette Puissance. III. Les Forteresses, les Magasins, et tout le matériel militaire seront remis à Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne d'après l'Inventaire mentionné dans l'Article V de la Capitulation de la Guyane Françoise, en 1809.* IV. En conséquence des Articles ci-dessus, les Ordres nécessaires pour effectuer la remise de la Guyane Françoise, lesquels Ordres se trouvent entre les mains du Soussigné Plénipotentiaire de Sa Majesté Très Fidèle, seront, immédiatement après la signature de la présente Convention, remis au Gouvernement François, avec une Lettre Officielle du même Plénipotentiaire, à laquelle sera jointe Copie de la présente Convention, et qui fera connoître aux Autorités Portugaises qu'elles doivent remettre, dans le délai de 3 jours, la dite Colonie aux Commissaires chargés par Sa Majesté Très Chrétienne d'en reprendre pussession, lesquels leur présenteront lesdits Ordres. V. Le Gouvernement François se charge de faire conduire dans les Ports de Parà et de Fernambouc, sur les Bâtimens qui auront effectué le transport des Troupes Françoises à la Guyane, la Garnison Portugaise de cette Colonie, ainsi que les Employés Civils avec tous leurs effets. Fait à Paris, le 28 Août, 1817. (L. S.) RICHELIEU. FRANCOIS JOSEPH MARIE DE BRITO. Article Séparé. Tous les points sur lesquels il pourroit s'élever des difficultés par suite de la restitution de la Guyane Françoise, tels que le payement des Dettes, le recouvrement des Revenus, et l'extradition réciproque des Esclaves, feront l'objet d'une Convention particulière entre les Gouvernemens Portugais et François. Fait à Paris, le 28 Août, 1817. (L. S.) RICHELIEU. FRANCOIS JOSEPH MARIE DE BRITO. DECLARATION of the Bey of Tunis, engaging that Tunisian Ships shall not cruize in the British Channel.— Signed at Bardo, the 19th of October, 1817. WE, Sidi Mahmoud Bashaw, Bey of Tunis, &c., &c.. &c., do, by * Capitulation of Cayenne to the British and Portuguese Forces.-Cayenne, 12th January, 1809. ART. V. THE Arsenals, Batteries, and every thing belonging to the Artillery, the small Arms and Powder Magazines, and the Provision Stores, shall be given up by Inventory, and in the state in which they now are; and the same shall be pointed out. |