Juan Contreras to the consular body in Cartagena, dated July 23, July 23, 1873

Circular of Getteral Contreras to the consular body in Cartagena, dated July 23, 1873.

[Inclosed with appendix 1, Mr. Molina’s letter.]

The Constituent Cortes having proclaimed the federal republic as the form of government of the Spanish nation, the people looked for the fulfillment of that solemn pledge with all the speed that their anxiety and their enduring efforts in the cause of federalism merited, and on beholding a month and a half pass by without either the Cortes or the government performing even the most insignificant act in favor of the speedy establishment of the federal cantons, the Spanish provinces wherein the liberal spirit has ever attained, its highest development erected themselves into cantons without thereby entirely refusing to recognize the powers of the Constituent Cortes.

One of the provinces, that of Murcia, joined to its declaration of cantonal independence the naval forces of this port and a portion of the army, and with these tendered her aid to the spontaneous movement begun in the neighboring provinces, when she was surprised by the decree of the central government declaring the sailors who had joined the people pirates, and invoking the aid of foreign powers to prevent the people from realizing the fulfillment of the solemn constitutional enactment.

The committees (juntas) of the Murcian canton cannot believe that the powers friendly to Spain will intervene in a pending question between two political groups which as yet have not declared mutual hostility. They cannot believe that the navies of enlightened nations will come to interfere in differences involving no great or transcendental issues for the future, when in other civil struggles, disastrous in their effects and protracted in their duration, no intervention has taken place. But our position demands a declaration of the fundamental facts of the present movement, not by way of convincing foreign powers, but as a refutation of the bases on which the forces of friendly nations might rely for intervention in our acts.

The attitude of the Murcian canton, like that of the others proclaimed in Spain, is sustained and justified by sixty representatives of the nation holding seats in the Constituent Cortes. And there, where the sovereignty of the people is embodied in the three hundred and fifty-eight deputies legally proclaimed, the attitudes of our cantons cannot well signify a transcendental crime when a fifth part of the representatives of the nation justify our acts.

Seven of them are now in this canton, legalizing by their presence all that is done here. Five are in the neighboring canton of Valencia, who authorize the realization of the constitutional resolution, and all who, both in Madrid or in the provinces, have made declarations favorable to the immediate organization of the cantons are ready to sustain them on all occasions.

If, therefore, a simple question of procedure separates the cantonal authorities from the system established by the Cortes, can this be an adequate motive to call forth a declaration of civil war against whole provinces animated by the memory of the energetic struggle of eighteen hundred and eight in the cause of our independence?

The cantonal committee has declared treasonable the executive power of Madrid, or its decree of foreign intervention.

The Spanish federation holds the fortified cities of Cartagena and Cadiz, and of Marcia, with the Important cities of Seville, Valencia, Alicante, Jaen, Granada, and a multitude of the intervening towns, and therefore we have a right to demand that our acts be respected.

On the other hand the cantonal authorities have the full assurance that foreigners resident in the territory, under their jurisdiction, shall not be molested in the least degree, and pledge themselves to give them assurances for the future, because not only has the present prudent movement given rise to no acts of disturbance, and still less of bloodshed, but also because it has been an unequalled example of wisdom and moderation.

To the cantons belongs the right to ask for the fulfillment of the constitutional resolution. Justice is on their side because the cry raised by the people in aid of the government that convened the Cortes is now repeated by the cantons; and, lastly, abundant reason is on their side when they demand respect and consideration from foreign powers because of the proportions of the movement, the order with which it has been realized, and the facility with which all the authorities of the cantons continue in the full exercise of their powers.

Founding his action on these considerations, the undersigned, captain-general of the federal republic of Spain, general-in-chief of its army and navy, fully authorized by the first temporary authorities thereof to treat with the representatives of foreign powers, requests them to suspend the action they are called upon to execute by the decree of the government of Madrid of the 21st (20th) instant, and to maintain meanwhile all customary consideration toward the constituted authorities of the cantons of the Spanish federation.

I wish for you many years of life and prosperity for those you represent.