History of the Peninsular War, Volume 2 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 2 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
The Junta of Seville was therefore of opinion that the supreme
Juntas, meeting on the same day, should each elect, from its own
members, two deputies; and the persons so elected, from that moment,
be acknowledged as governors-general of the kingdom. The supreme
Juntas ought nevertheless to be continued till the termination of the
present state of things, being invested with the internal management
of their respective provinces, but under due subordination to the
general government. They ought to give instructions to their deputies
constituting that government, and it would be the duty of those
deputies to observe them, and to represent and support the claims
of their provinces, as far as was consistent with the public weal.
If there were one of the Royal Family capable of presiding in the
supreme government, he, and no other, ought to be appointed to that
office; but if there were no person of the royal blood, then it must
elect a president from its own body; and, to obviate all danger, the
presidency should be only for such limited time as might seem best.
The Juntas would appoint a place for the seat of government, which the
government might afterwards change, if it should see cause. It ought to
be at a distance from the dangers of war, and to possess other local
advantages. Seville possessed those advantages, but had no anxiety to
be selected, and willingly sacrificed her claims. The Junta of that
city would, however, frankly state, that, in their opinion, La Mancha
was most convenient for the seat of government, and, especially, either
the city of Ciudad-Real, or Almagro. But this point was to be decided
by the free choice of the supreme Juntas. The paper concluded with a
brief and dignified recapitulation of what the Junta of Seville had
done for their country, disclaiming, on their part, any affectation or
desire of superiority, and declaring, that whatever they had done was
no more than their indispensable duty.
♦THE PROVINCIAL JUNTAS ASSENT TO IT.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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