I send you the official document and the proclamation that his Excellency the Viceroy of New Spain has sent to us and circulated throughout his domain relating the sad state of affairs of our beloved monarch, the rightful king of Spain and the Indies, Don Fernando VII. Pretending to be his closest friend and ally, the greatest traitor in the universe seized his Royal Highness at a feast. This man is Emperor Napoleon I, the French intruder. When he seized our beloved King, the Royal family, and others who were present, he forced them to renounce the crown of Spain and the Indies in favor of him. When the news of the cunning, vile behavior of the infamous Emperor Napoleon reached our nation, the people rose up and formed powerful armies to fight to free our beloved Fernando, vowing not to give up until his freedom had been attained. It has been shown that God and the Holy Mother, Patroness of Spain and the Indies, have protected such a holy endeavor. For, our army already has defeated 170,000 French soldiers who were in Spain under the pretense of alliance when this news became public. His Excellency the Viceroy reports that our troops are prepared to invade France and we are waiting the outcome.
We cannot assist our brothers in their fight due to the great distance that separates us. However, we can donate money to help pay the troops who are shedding their blood. The Viceroy suggests that this is the most forceful way we can demonstrate our love for our motherland, religion and sovereign.
With this goal in mind, assemble the Alcalde and the Regidores and read them my official communication, the one from His Excellency, and the Proclamation. Immediately after, have the officials instruct the guards to bring all the townspeople together, even the militiamen and inválidos, and read the same documents to them. Encourage them as best you can to donate as much as possible, whether in money, flour, corn, or beans. Those who say they will pay later, at harvest time, must provide the habilitación with a declaration of the amount of their donation. Prepare a list specifying the person’s name and what is being donated. Make a copy and send me the original list, signed by you and the officials, which I then will send to His Excellency, as he has so ordered.
Make a copy for the Archives of His Excellency’s communication, my communication and the Proclamation. Attach to each document proof that it has been made public. Have the comisionado of the Villa of Branciforte return the documents to me straightaway.
God keep you many years.
Monterey, February 26, 1809
José María Estudillo
This is a copy.
Luis Peralta
The courageous Spanish nation rose up en masse to undertake the glorious and necessary endeavor of liberating our sacred and rightful King, Señor Don Fernando VII. With irreverence and treachery, the traitorous hand of the perfidious French Emperor seize the King like prey from his beloved subjects. His horrendous plan was to usurp the crown that had been placed upon the brow of our venerable, pious, Catholic monarch by Divine Providence, rights of accession, and the unanimous voice of the people.
The upheaval that was to affect many branches of government, their ministers and treasuries, the tranquility of the citizens and their lands, and ultimately, the reasonable laws that govern us, was not only apparent and inevitable but also loomed over the Americas. Enemy squadrons already were preparing to travel there with the goal of conquering them. The defense against so many evils has been the strength and bravery of our peninsular brothers, who, bearing arms, have chosen death before the dishonor of the entire nation. Although we cannot physically come to their aid, we have the undeniable obligation to do so not only with prayers to o our Lord God, who being strong and powerful in battle will bless their operations, but also with our money and any other assistance we can provide so that they will remain strong in their defense of one of the most just causes that will be read about in the pages of history.
They also will make our efforts known to the universe. At issue now is that we can contribute, due to the distance that separates us from our grieving fathers, our widowed mothers, and our young brothers, who are defenseless against misery and despair. In view of this I am strongly convinced that never before have we been presented with a matter of such dire consequence to our Holy Religion, our sad, beloved King, and ourselves. Make every effort to contribute all you can by way of monetary donations. If you lack money, you may contribute instead any useful produce of the earth. Thus you will equal or rival the generous donations that were made and accepted at this Royal Palace at the meeting that took place last August 9. Let it be understood that as of now, an account book will remain open to record what is collected. Those who receive the donations should deposit them in the general collection boxes here in the capital or in the provinces of their respective districts. I issue the appropriate orders with this goal in mind and await news of your donation in the name of religion, fidelity, and patriotism.
God keep you many years.
Mexico, October 3, 1808
Garivay
Proclamation Señor Comandante del Presidio de Monterey
To all inhabitants of our city, Don Pedro Garivay, Field Marshal of the Royal Armies, Viceroy, Governor, and Captain General of New Spain, President of his Royal Audience, Superintendent General.
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