mother country, proclaimed themselves to be the masters of their own destinies. On the 9th of July, 1816, deputies from all the provinces of the Rio de la Plata, assembled in congress at Tucuman, solemnly declared their separation from Spain, and their determination to constitute a free and independent State, in the following terms: "We, the Representatives of the United Provinces of South America in General Congress assembled, invoking that supreme Being who presides over the universe, and in the name of and by the authority of the People we represent, asserting before Heaven, and all the nations of the earth, the justice of this our resolution, do hereby solemnly declare it to be the unanimous and indisputable determination of the People of these provinces to break the bonds which have hitherto bound them to the Kings of Spain-to recover those natural rights of which they had been deprived, and to take upon themselves the character of a Free Nation, independent of King Ferdinand the Seventh, of his successors, and of Spain, with full and ample power in consequence de facto and de jure to establish for themselves such form of Government as existing circumstances may render necessary. "On behalf of all and every one of them we do publish and declare the same, and pledge them to carry into effect this their fixed resolve with their lives, their fortunes, and their fame. 66 Wherefore, Be this duly published for the information of all whom it may concern. "Further, considering what is due to other nations, a separate manifesto shall be addressed to them, setting forth in detail the grave and weighty reasons which have led to this our solemn Declaration. "Given in the Hall of our Meetings, signed by our hands, and sealed with the seal of the Congress, and duly countersigned by the Secretaries thereof, in the city of San Miguel de Tucuman, this the 9th day of July, 1816. |