The third proclamation shows the rebel leader’s humane intentions, and is remarkable when we reflect that it was written by one of “the cruel and bloodthirsty savages” that the Spanish soldiery had sworn to exterminate. I give this entire:
The great North American nation, a lover of true liberty, and therefore desirous of liberating our country from the tyranny and despotism to which it has been subjected by its rulers, has shown us decided disinterested protection, considering us sufficiently able and civilized to govern this unhappy shore.
In order to retain this high opinion of the never too-highly-praised and great nation of North America, we should abominate such acts as pillage and robbery of every description and acts of violence against persons and property.
To avoid international complications during the campaign, I order:—
First, lives and property of all foreigners are to be respected, including Chinese and those Spaniards who neither directly nor indirectly have taken up arms against us.
Secondly, the lives and property of our enemies who lay down their arms are to be equally respected.
Thirdly, in the same way, all hospitals and all ambulances, together with the persons and effects therein, as well as their staffs, are to be respected unless they show themselves hostile.
Fourthly, those who disobey what is set forth in the three former articles, will be tried by summary court-martial and shot, if by such disobedience there has been caused assassination, fires, robbery or violence.