Daniel E. Sickles to Hamilton Fish, August 8, 1873

No. 418. General Sickles to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the satisfaction to forward a copy and translation of a law passed by the Cortes granting a comprehensive bill of rights to the inhabitants of Porto Rico, being substantially the same found in Title I of the Spanish constitution. After a failure to pass the bill on Saturday last, the 2d instant, for the want of the prescribed quorum of deputies, the measure was again brought forward day before yesterday, and received one hundred and eighty-four affirmative votes against one in the negative. Another attempt was made to count out the house, but it happily failed, a sufficient number remaining, although there were but two to spare. On the failure of the bill to pass when first presented a cry of triumph went up from the conservative press, including the Imparcial, identified last year with the Zorrilla-Martos cabinet, and it was supposed the insurrectionary and turbulent spirit shown in the Spanish provinces might deter the Cortes from further concessions to the colonies. I commend to your attention the brief speech of Mr. Labra, a deputy from Porto Rico, and a leading reformer and abolitionist.

I am, &c.,

Final passage in the Constituent Cortes August 6, 1873, of the bill of rights for Porto Rico.

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The law declaring in force in Porto Rico the first title of the constitution of 1869, as revised by the committee on the correction of style and declared conformable to previous resolution, was then read, and upon Mr. Secretary Cagigal inquiring if it was definitively approved, several deputies demanded that the yeas and nays be taken.

Mr. Labra. Let the names of those who have demanded the yeas and nays be placed on record.

Mr. Moran, (Don Valentine.) Let them be recorded once, twice, and a thousand times.

The Vice-President. It is not customary to record the names of those who demand the yeas and nays, and the rules say nothing on the subject.

Mr. La Rosa. I doubt if enough deputies have stood up to demand the yeas and nays.

The Vice-President. There is no doubt about it, Mr. Deputy.

The yeas and nays were taken.

This having been done, the said law was definitively approved by one hundred and eighty-four deputies against one, in the following form. (See the list, appendix.)

Mr. Labra. I have asked the floor, first, to beg that the chamber will be pleased to direct that the law which has just been passed be transmitted to Porto Rico by telegraph; and, secondly, in the name of the Porto Rican deputation, and, I think I may also say, in the name of all of the liberals of Porto Rico, to render here a public tribute of thanks to this assembly and to this government which has consecrated liberty in that island, bringing before us and voting to-day with noble enthusiasm that which henceforth may be called the bill of rights of Porto Rico.

The chamber recalls another moment of peril for the country, the time when, at the commencement of this century, the empire of Spain beyond the Atlantic fell through the shocks of a separatist movement. Then from the Antillian seas a voice resounded proclaiming that whatever might be the fate in store for Spain in the midst of that tempest, she would still have one island united to her and ready to follow her to the end in her days of glory as in the abyss of her misfortune. That voice was the voice of Porto Rico, [applause,] and her spirit is the spirit that to-day inspires me in addressing you these words. [Applause.] At the same time I have risen to express my fervent hopes that the resolution to-day taken by this chamber may re-echo to the furthermost parts of Spanish territory, as well as in other lands, so that those who dwell in exile, driven away by the voice of discord and of disheartenment, may realize that there is no motive, no excuse, no pretext, for not recognizing the rule of Spain; that she cherishes the firm resolve, solemn and honorable, to consecrate liberty alike in both hemispheres. Let them know, then, that this chamber bears itself worthily, nobly, and loyally; let no one doubt the sincerity of Spain; let all be of one mind in this, and thus shall we found upon solid bases the integrity of our country by means of liberty and democracy. [Great applause.]

On the motion being put that the resolution of the chamber be transmitted by telegraph to Porto Rico, it was carried.