Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/174

138 MEXICO. must make common cause with their countrymen ; — the rapid progress of the Revolution, and the total inefficacy of all the measures of severity, by which he had endeavoured to check it. He then assumes, as undeniable principles, the natural equality of America and Spain ; the right of America to as- semble her Cortes, as the Spaniards had done theirs ; and the nullity of the claims of any body of men in the Peninsula, to exercise the supreme authority in Mexico, during the captivity of the Sovereign : and finally, he proposes, on the part of the Junta, that, *' if the Europeans will consent to give up the offices which they hold, and to allow a General Congress to be assembled, their persons and properties shall be religiously respected ; their salaries paid; and the same privileges granted to them, as to the native Mexicans ; who, on their side, will acknowledge Ferdinand as their Sove- reign ; assist the Peninsula with their treasures ; and regard all Spaniards as their fellow-subjects, and citizens of the same great empire."" Such was the plan of Peace. The plan of War was con- fined principally, to an endeavour to obtain some abatement of severity in the treatment of prisoners, so as to avoid unnecessary effusion of blood ; and to establish the severest penalties for all such, on either side, as should sack or burn villages, where no resistance was made ; or authorize indis- criminate massacres, on entering the smaller towns. The introduction of the name of religion, in a quarrel where religion was in no way concerned, is likewise repro- bated in very strong terms ; but, in the whole course of the manifesto, there is not one offensive or insulting expression ; an instance of moderation which is the more remarkable, as, at that time, the cause of the Revolution appeared to be every where triumphant. These proposals Venegas ordered to be burnt by the public executioner, in the Plaza Mayor of Mexico ! He could not, however, prevent them from producing a great effect upon