r fiery tears rolling down the cheeks
reminded us, obliging the cords of patriotism to vibrate, that we were
Spaniards, and we neither could nor would like any other thing than to
remain Spaniards.

"As if it could be that the country of Sergeant Diaz, of Andino, and
Vascarrondo's, and all those conspicuous countrymen that irrigated with
their blood Martin Pena and Rio Piedras camps could measure either the
vigor or the haughtiness of an enemy who has not yet exhibited his face
after so many ostentatious and angry vociferations. No! and thousand
times no! The light fishermen of Porto Rico's shores, merchants,
lawyers, musicians, mechanics, journeymen, all persons who may have
strength to grasp a gun must ask for it. All united, with a solid front
we shall go to intercept the invader. Behind us and as a reserve legion
will come down from the highlands like a raging storm, if it is
necessary, the _jibaros_, our fields' brothers, the most accomplished
exemplar of abstinence, probity and bravery; the same that formed the
urban militia; the same that were sent to Santo Domingo to defend
gentile honor; they, who in number of more than 16,000, covered the
plains of the north shore of the island, and compelled the Englishmen in
1797 to re-embark hastily, leaving their horses and artillery park.

"Porto Ricans! the moment is rising when not a single man of this
country gives a step backwards, as it is said commonly; the hour of
organizing ourselves for defense is sounded. The Spanish lion has shaken
his dishevelled mane, and our duties calls us around him. Our temper is
to fight, and we shall fight. Our fate is to overpower, and we shall
overpower. Honor imposes upon us the obligation of saving home, and we
shall save it in this land of our loves. Before North American people
carry their boldness so far as to tread our sea-coasts it is necessary
that we must be ready to receive them; that they may find in every Porto
Rican an inexorable enemy, in every heart a rock, in each arm a weapon
to drive them away; that that people feels that here it is detested
intensely, and that Porto Rica's spirit is Spanish, and she will ever
be so; therefore, inhabitants of Guayama, we invite you for a meeting at
the Town House next Tuesday and offer our kind offices to the
government, who will give us arms.

"It would be unworthy of our so gentle history, we should deny our
blood, if in these moments of struggle we should endure indifferently.