Our Catleolic Heritage in Texas
found guilty of spreading false rumors concerning the strength of the rebels and the danger of attack were to be tried for cowardice or malicious intent and punished accordingly. Officials found guilty of failing in their duty to maintain. strict vigilance were to be tried on the charge of and sentenced for criminal negligence. But those who loyally contributed to the maintenance of public tranquillity by aiding officials to stamp out rebellion were to be duly rewarded by the king. 70 Thus did the com- mandant general and the viceroy attempt to allay public fear, discourage rebellion, and excite loyalty. In a similar proclamation, the governor extended his New Year's greetings to the "Faithful Inhabitants of Texas" on January 6, 1811. He restated the charges against the treacherous character of Napoleon and his agents; denied vehemently the charge that Spaniards either in Spain or America had ever intended to sell out to the French ; warned the Creoles against the perfidy of the leaders of the rebellion, and appealed to subjects of Spain in the name of religion, patriotism, and gratitude to remain loyal to the king. 71 As early as January, 1809, the Suprema Junta Central of Cadiz had declared that the overseas possessions of Spain formed an integral part of the Spanish nation and as such were entitled to representation in the Cortes that was soon to meet. New Spain, Peru, New Granada, Buenos Aires, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Chile, Venezuela, and the Phil- ippines-each was to elect its own deputies to the Cortes.u This was a step of transcendental importance taken by the Supreme Council to win the whole-hearted support of the colonies in the struggle against the French. For the first time the Spanish possessions overseas were incor- porated into the Spanish nation. When the decree was transmitted to the Interior Provinces by Viceroy Pedro Garibay in April, with the comment that perhaps only the city of Durango was entitled to elect a representative, the Auditor in Chi- huahua protested the interpretation. His reply furnishes eloquent proof of the penetration of liberal, democratic ideas into these remote provinces. He boldly declared that the intent of the Supreme ltmta was to give the 70 N. Salcedo to the People of the Interior Provinces, October 24, 1810. Nacog• doches Archives, XV, pp. 110-117. 71M. de Salcedo to the Faithful Inhabitants of Texas, January 6, 1811. Bexar Archives, 71 Decree of the Junta Suprema Central issued in the name of Ferdinand VII, January 22, 1809. Nacogdoc/1es Archives, XV, 4-5.
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