ings of the patriots in New Spain, and the fermentation which such intelligence naturally produced on the minds of the people, became universal. In this extremity, arrived Gavino Gainza, appointed by the Cortes of Spain, bringing with him the news of the recent political changes in the peninsula, and the establishment of the constitution.
Invitations now poured in from Ciudad Real, and other quarters; the leading families and most influential members of the church met together; and after various private meetings, in which Gainza took a part, they publicly proclaimed the independence on the fifteenth of September, 1821, amid the shouts of the populace. A proclamation was then issued, and a resolution entered into to call a general congress, for the first of March, 1822; in the mean time forming a provisional government, of which Gainza should be President, consisting of a council composed of individuals belonging to the different provinces.
The proclamation which bore the name of Gainza and was addressed to the citizens of Guatimala was to the following effect:—“Other governments speak of plans adopted or provisions taken by themselves for the regulation of the people they govern; the government of Guatimala speaks to you citizens of those things which yourselves have desired, of that which yourselves have proclaimed. Since the year 1810. the two Ame-
