CESPEDES DEL CASTILLO CARLOS MANUEL (1819-1874) Cuban Revolutionary. Known as the ''Father of the Motherland'', Cespedes is considered a Cuban hero who freed slaves and leaded the declaration of Cuban Independence in 1868. A good multiple signed D.S., `C.m.de Cespedes´, one page, large 14 x 17 (35cm x 42cm), Bayamo, 9th November 1868, in Spanish. The partially printed document bears an attractive revolutionary vignette to the heading and the printed title beneath ''Proclamation - To the inhabitants of Santiago de Cuba - Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, Captain General of the Liberator Army of Cuba and in charge of its Provisional Government'' and is signed by Cespedes in his capacity asGeneral in chief of the Liberation army of Cuba. The large and attractive proclamation bears to the upper left corner a large black paper seal affixed, bearing the text "Capitania General del Ejercito Libertador de Cuba" ("Captaincy General of the Cuban Liberation Army"), and a blind embossed seal to the upper right corner. The printed text is an harangue to the Cuban population and refers to the brave and courageous behaviour of the liberatory Cuban army, mentionning their freedom motto `Viva Cuba Libre´, and concludes saying `..más vale una muerte gloriosa que la vida degradante y servil de los esclavos´ ("....a glorious death is better than the degrading and servile life of slaves.") Also signed by Ignacio Martinez, Fernando Fornaris y Cespedes, Jaime Santiesteban and Francisco Marcano. Small hole to the upper left corner, not affecting the text or signatures. Repaired to the verso to the centre fold. G

Fernando Fornaris y Cespedes (1837-1875) Cuban Lawyer, military Officer and Writer. Executed.

Francisco Marcano Álvarez (1829-1870) Dominican military officer who first served under the Spanish army and further under the Liberatory army of Cuba. Executed.

Jaime Santiesteban (1830-1897) Cuban Military. Member of the "Comisión Ejecutiva de la Junta Revolucionaria de Manzanillo" together with Carlos Manuel de Cespedes.