Spanish America
JaanJoIL A artine7 Dean of the Holy -athedral Chutrch,Provisional VIC-rGcntral, an&GoGvemor-ofhe Bishopricktthe See beingva- cant, to the Clergy of Panama. To otrn nerable brothe&rs, the Patish Clergy of this Diocess, health, 'pease, and Jesus Christ. We h:re to make known, that by news (without, however, being Coaed) which have anived at this capital, we have learned the &IPrared and bostile intention with which the King of Spain intends t 5Iabiugate the Americas, depriving them of the liberty which God -ad 'nature have given to these territories. Not being able, as it is sa:I, to undertakie so great a work himself, he has, we are told, im- ridred the assistanee of France, tbat her troops and squadrons may CMe to invade us, and to deprive us of our tranquillity. WYe are tOld thS a numerous French atmy is preparing, and that the wlhole Sf America should thert-fore be placed in a state of defence. This Ple-o0s part of the world, envied by foreigr. nations. may very pro- 1*1lr be attacked; but there is no reason to fear if the Lord otur -od ca for us, as wc have already experienced on many occasions am whi:h his providence has favoured us. The active and warlike atendant-General who commands us, has foreseen all the evils *ct n happen, and has taken the most efficacious means to rrvemt thern Among these, the most religious and most effiea- ":o`a ill, t*e care wvhie he has taken to send to the bislioprick 2rits, who may announce to the people the danger in which Ve are, if we are conquered by the enemy; and that there wvould rOt Only be the incalculable evil of the loss of their property and lives, bat that more deplorable calamity, the overthrow of the boly rligion of Jesus Christ, which with such firmness and con- 15'afly our people maintain. If our towns werepossessed by corrupt tr cortarminated by materialism and heresy, they could niot . vdia bdng exposed to the deprzvation of eternal felicity. For so sa- -ea a mission the General has elected the venerable presbyters -Diguand Simon de Paz, .nd Father Fernando Ayuso, whose elee- tion we have approved of wvith the most tender sentiments of our keart, on account of the esteem and respect which the virttues and qualities of each of them inspire. They are procecdinzcon a mission to yolr parishes, to sow in the hearts of your faithful flocks the truths ofrelgion, love to their country, and the obligation of de- feeding that in whiclh we are all educated. They will manifest to the Paople the interest wlhich thcyought to take in so great an enterprise, znD they will show that to tie in war is bStter than to be wit- nrsses of the evils whiicl will be inflicted on our brethren and on the Saints as it was said by Judas Afaccab2us-" AeIinxs e!t nas szori in kilo, uarn: uidere onzaagentis nosirm et Salnctorumrn" To these venerable priests I recommend you, with all msy heart; ad I beseech v1u, and if necessary command you, that whlei they aTrive at your parishes, you convoke your flocks, open your thureheA and your cathedrals, co-operating with them in the great wok to whic% -her have been destined, wlhilst we prav God to im- partto thetm hislight, and grant the happy fruit which we desire. in the preserv7tion of Iiis holy religion. Panama, Feb. 11, 1824, the fourteenth vear .of our indepenr 4encT. JUAN JOSE MIARTINEZ. By order of the Prorisor, Governor of the Bishoprick, ANTONIO PUERTO. SPAiVISH AMEIr-RTCA