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RULE AND OVERTHROW OF VICTORIA.
finally signed December 1st by Echeandía, the three original signers, and all the officials, whose names I give with a translation of the document.[1] The reader
- ↑ Pronunciamiento de San Diego contra el Gefe Político y Comandante General de California, Don Manuel Victoria, en 29 Noviembre y 1 de Diciembre de 1831, MS. Translation: Mexican citizens residing in the upper territory of the Californias. If the enterprise we undertake were intended to violate the provisions of the laws, if our acts in venturing to oppose the scandalous acts of the actual governor, D. Manuel Victoria, were guided by aims unworthy of patriotic sentiments, then should we not only fear but know the fatal results to which we must be condemned. Such, however, not being the case, we, guided in the path of justice, animated by love of our soil, duly respecting the laws dictated by our supreme legislature, and enthusiastic for their support, find ourselves obliged, on account of the criminal abuse noted in the said chief, to adopt the measures here made known. We know that we proceed, not against the sup. govt or its magistrates, but, as we are deeply convinced, against an individual who violates the fundamental bases of our system, or in truth against a tyrant who has hypocritically deceived the supreme powers so as to reach the rank to which, without deserving it, he has been raised. The supreme being, master of our hearts, knows the pure sentiments with which we set out: love to country, respect for the laws, to obey them and make them obeyed, to banish the abuses which with accelerated steps the actual ruler is committing against the liberal system. Such are the objects which we call pure sentiments and in accordance with public right. We will maintain this before the national sovereignty, and time will bear witness against what the breaker of laws chooses to call sedition. From the sentiments indicated may be clearly deduced the patriotic spirit which directs us to the proceeding this day begun; and at the thought that such sentiments are entertained by the people of Alta California, there is generated within us a complete conviction that our indispensable action will be supported and therefore sustained by all who live in this unfortunate country. As for the military officers in actual service, opposition is naturally to be expected from them to our plan, and we must allow them at first this unfavorable opinion demanded by their profession; but not so later, when they shall have fully learned the wise and beneficent intentions with which we act; for they also, as Mexican citizens, are in duty bound to maintain inviolate the code to which we have all sworn. We believe that your minds are ever decided in favor of the preservation of society, and your arms to be ready in the service of whoever may assure happiness, and in support of the laws which promulgate its representation. You are assured of the contrary spirit shown by the chief authority of this California, and we begin, in manifesting his criminal acts, with the infraction committed against the territorial representation, which has been suppressed on pretexts which confirm his absolutism, though you voted for the members to be the arcas of your confidence; the total suppression of the ayuntamiento of Sta Bárbara; the shooting of several persons by his order at Monterey and S. Francisco, without the necessary precedent formalities prescribed by the laws; the expatriation suffered by the citizens José Antonio Carrillo and Abel Stearns, without notification of the reasons demanding it; the scorn with which he has treated the most just demand which with legal proofs was presented by the very honorable pueblo of Los Angeles, leaving unpunished the public crimes of the present alcalde; and, not to weary you with further reflections of this nature, please consider the attributes which he has assumed in the department of revenues, making himself its chief, with grave injury to the public funds. We trust that after you know our aims you will regard the removal of all these evils as the duty of every citizen. We believe also that the public sentiment of the territory will never attempt to violate our rights, or still less provoke us to
