[XXIV-54] 'No declararon el gobierno que se daban, ni cosa alguna sobre los negocios de la transformacion política: novicios, se contentaron con llamarse independientes.' Bol. Ofic., 1869, 31.
[XXIV-55] The commissioners were José María Chiari and Juan de la Cruz Perez.
[XXIV-56] Mollien, Colombie, ii. 140-1, asserts that the officers were induced to desert, partly by threats, and partly by paying them two months' arrears due them by the government.
[XXIV-57] Blas, Mariano, and Gaspar Arosemena, and José María Barrientos.
[XXIV-58] The deserters became so many recruits for an independent army.
[XXIV-59] 'Panamá, espontáneamente, y conforme al voto general de los pueblos de su comprension, se declara libre é independiente del Gobierno español.' Bol. Ofic., 1869, 32. The anniversary of the independence has been ever since celebrated with due honors on the 28th of November.
[XXIV-60] Some had favored absolute independence, and others union with Peru.
[XXIV-61] The military were left free to stay or leave the Isthmus. In the latter event they would be furnished means to go to Cuba, provided they pledged themselves not to use arms against the independent states of America. Similar provisions were made for soldiers and officers detained by sickness. Another document speaks only of defraying the expenses to Chagres or Portobello, the transfer to be made as soon as the forts there surrendered. Pan. Doc.
[XXIV-62] In the Bol. Of. (1869), 32, the names of 25 are given, whereas a printed copy of the act in Pan. Doc. gives four more. Other copies of the text will be found in the Gac., Imp. Mex. (1821), ii. 110-12; Gac., Guad. (1822), 315-16; Am. St. Pap., iv. 832-5; Pan. Star and Herald, Nov. 28, 1883.
[XXIV-63] Niles, S. Am. and Mex., ii. 118, gives the day as Dec. 15th, a date also vaguely indicated by Scheffer in Revue Amér., i. 183.