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Declaration of Independence: The unanimous Declaration of the Seven Northern States of the Sierra Madre of Mexico

16 June 1849

Region: Tamaulipas
Place: Matamoros

Pronunciamiento text

Declaration of Independence: The unanimous Declaration of the Seven Northern States of the Sierra Madre of Mexico, 16 June 1849

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature, and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they would declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

The History of the present and past Government of Mexico is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

First. Tired of political changes, which have been heretofore nothing but the continuance of oppression, wielded by newer hands. We declare ourselves free.

Second. Tired of Revenues which have been exacted only to perpetuate the power of the usurpers of the people’s liberties. We declare ourselves Free.

Third. Tired of armies which have been collected only to oppress and exhaust the industry of all but its oppressors. We declare ourselves Free.

Fourth. Tired, that our loved Religion, under the constant threat of the bayonet, should be trammeled in its power of benevolence and Public Instruction. We declare ourselves Free.

Fifth. Tired, that the people in the midst of their spacious lands should be denied the right of individual possession. We declare ourselves Free.

Sixth. Tired of the promises which have been made to our children, (who with anxious countenances, look in vain to their rulers) for the right of Instruction. We declare ourselves Free.

Seventh. Tired, that our aged sires and matrons should be permitted to sink gradually to the earth, in common with the brute, unprovided and uncared for. We declare ourselves Free.

Eight. Tired, that stint and nakedness should stride o’er the land, while the usurpers are arrayed in purple and gold. We declare ourselves Free.

Ninth. Tired of the National Declaration that Slavery shall not exist in our Land, when Peonage, a system hideous and cruel, exists, unrestricted and unnoticed. We declare ourselves Free.

We, therefore, the People of the Northern States of the Sierra Madre of Mexico, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the justice of our intentions, do now solemnly publish and declare: “That these United States are Free and Independent!”. That they are absolved from all allegiance to the Mexican Government, and that all political connection between them and it has ceases ─is, and must be, totally dissolved─ and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, We, the People, mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.

Swords are Drawn─ Scabbards are cast aside.

Now! Death to tyrants!

Matamoros, Mexico, June 16, 1849.

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