constitute the welfare and grandeur of states. The elements of strength and prosperity exist: it is merely requisite to develop them wisely, and to impress on them a fixed and durable march.

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS.

BRASIL.

PROCLAMATION.

Don Pedro, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of the Empire of Brasil, to all the Subjects of the said Empire.

Brasilians!-The Lusitanian troops, with which the Jacobinical and Machiavelian Cortes of Portugal pretended to re-colonize this vast and rich country, having been expelled from the empire, and his most faithful Majesty being in a state in which he can freely act, and we having, as yet, in no respect exceeded the limits of just defence, it was to be expected that the Portuguese Government, being well advised and informed, and in no way misunderstanding the imperious reasons which compelled Brasil to raise the standard of independence, and also well aware of the universal and determined resolution of this brave people to defend their liberties to the last drop of their blood, would, instead of projecting chimerical plans of re-union and subjection, which are inadmissible and impracticable, rather seek to derive reasonable benefits from that very independence, than to attempt to subdue us; and would, along with the olive-branch, offer us well-calculated and mutual commercial advantages, VOL. I. N°. I.

I

solid guarantees of peace and of a perfect and durable friendship. Nothing of this kind has, however, occurred. The justice of our cause, already acknowledged by the tribunal of public opinion throughout the world, has not yet penetrated the hearts of some Portuguese ministers, who are either wilfully blind, or fascinated by ambition. The tribunal to which they propose to appeal is the fate of arms: they wish for war, without utility or object.

It is long since we have heard reports of military expeditions from Portugal against this empire; and though the knowledge of our just rights, and the equity and wisdom which we presumed were still to be found in the councils of his most Faithful Majesty, gave to those reports the character of improbability, I have always quietly, and without ostentation, taken care to adopt such measures as were suited to the existing situation of the empire, for the purpose of repelling any attack which might be made on this capital, or on the other provinces. Now, however, since Portugal has thrown off the mask, and the last Lisbon Gazettes plainly speak of an expedition against Brasil being soon to sail from the port of that capital, it becomes my duty, as your Emperor and perpetual defender, thus publicly to call your attention to this important object.

What would they with us-those infatuated ministers, who urge his Most Faithful Majesty to take so violent a course! Would they re-colonize us? What insanity! Would they give the law to us, offering us, with lighted matches and fixed bayonets, a nominal independence, founded on artfully organized bases? Gross error; miserable policy. Would they tear me from amongst you, and have me to leave you abandoned to all the horrors of anarchy? That is what they never shall accomplish.

To arms, Brasilians !-INDEPENDENCE OR DEATH is. our motto. Your Emperor and Perpetual Defender, who, as you know, abhors and despises the ease and pleasures of

the throne, is about to take the field, to unsheath the sword, and once more swear that he is ready to die with it in his hand amidst the brave Brasilian legions. Assist him, hasten to him, rally around him, and victory will be certain. He regrets that he cannot multiply himself so as to be present at every point which may be attacked, and to participate with you in every danger and in every glory; but he has full confidence in your valour and patriotism.

Courage, Brasilians !-Prevent, as far as possible, the enemy from setting foot on your territory. If that cannot be done, abandon to him your desert cities and towns. Retire to the interior, entrench yourselves there, cut him off from all communication, and be assured that, left to depend upon feeble, uncertain, tardy re-enforcements from distant Portugal, he will be reduced to a state of the greatest wretchedness, while our squadrons, recruited and strong, will fly to your succour at the proper moment, and complete his dise graceful expulsion-a fate you have already seen him experience at Bahia and Monte Video. Numerous cruisers are about to traverse the seas, to give the last blow to the expiring commerce of Portugal; and thus to teach that deluded government to respect our right to independence, the path to which has been opened to us by the ambition and tyranny of our enemy.

Do not be alarmed by the boasting accounts of immense squadrons and multitudes of combatants said to be coming against us; however great their force, incomparably greater is the ground which they will have to occupy-incomparably greater are the resources which we can oppose to them, and the slightest reflection must serve to reduce such exaggerations to their true value. A line of operations, commencing in the Tagus, and extending to any point on our coast, directed against a people able and willing to defend themselves, is an act of military lunacy, the unhappy result of which to the unhappy attacking enemy may for a

time be retarded, but is infallible. To maintain European squadrons and armies constantly on the footing of war in our trans-Atlantic regions, has always been, and is, for the most powerful nations, difficult; but for Portugal, is now impossible. Call to your recollection how many of such attempts have been unsuccessfully made by the old world against the new, and you will find this truth confirmed.

Are you told that powerful European nations will assist in this enterprise? Do not believe it. Those nations know too well their true interests to take any part in a contest which is foreign to them, and the obvious justice of the independence which we defend cannot fail to give a right direction to their wise and enlightened policy.

But vigilance, Brasilians! valour, constancy, and above all, internal union amongst yourselves! And the God of armies, the fountain of all justice, will bless our legitimate efforts for the preservation of that liberty and independence which it is the will of providence that all the nations of the earth should possess. Under its powerful auspices you will see waving on your walls the victorious flag of independence, and our squadrons will even penetrate into the mouth of the Tagus, to teach justice and moderation to that infatuated Go

vernment.

Rio de Janeiro, June 10, 1824-third year of independence.

THE EMPEROR,

PROCLAMATION

To the People of Pernambuco.

Pernambucans !-The moment has arrived when the veil of imposture in which you have hitherto been enveloped by demagogues, the enemies of the empire, and of your real