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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est fiimA d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 3y errata ed to ant me pelure, apon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 6 6 P A PER S Relative to the Rupture with SPAIN Laid before Both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT, On Frida'j the Tvverily ninth Day of Jamtar'j, 1762, iSy his Majefty's Command. .. ,»f '1 . M -t ^ ■V-4, Hi LONDON: Printed by Mark Dmkett, Printer to the King's moft Excellent Majefty j and Affigns of Robert Basketf. 1762. by the , *#■■' 1% ^ * ::'.i "t. PAPERS, &c. ExtraSi of a Letter from Mr. Secretary Pitt, to the Earl of Ex Ao\y ^^/^^Whitehall, 28 July, 1 76 1 . WITH regard to the ftrange Idea of the propofed Guaranty of Spain^ mentioQed in Mr. Stanley's Difpatch&t, as alfo with re- rpedt to the Engagements with Spaitty concerning our Difputes witii chat Crown, which the Due de Choifeul now avows to have been taken before the firft Overtures of France^ for the particular peace with England, and which confequently had been from that Time as difingenuoufly fupprefled, as they were in the Moment infolently produced ; the King's Ser- vants were unanimoufly of Opinion utterly to rejecfb the Thought of fufFering thofe Difputes to be mixed in the Negotiation with France •, and fubmitted to His Majelty, that a peremptory Declaration, to that Effeft, fliould be made to M. de Bujfy^ giving that Minifter withal clearly to underftand, that it would be confidered here as oiFenfive to the Dignity of the King, that farther Intention (hould be made of fuch an Idea, and that it is likewife underflood here, that France at no time has a Right to meddle in fuch DifculTions be- tween Gtm/ Britain and Spain. I am now to acquaint your Excellency, that M. de Bujfy did not come to me till hUfhurJday Morning, when, after delivering to me the fame Memorial A • which ■Hi ■» , > }i .. 1 [ 2 J which Mr, ^Stanley had received from the Due de Choifeul^ and tranfmitted to me, he alio gave me two fupplementai Memorials of a mod; extraordinary Nature, Copies whereof I fend your Excellency inclofed, together with a Copy of my Letter to that Miniller, returning the Two faid Memorials, as totally inad- miflible. With regard to the Memoiial relative to the Difputes between England and Spaitty that Piece will bed fpeak its own Enormity, and the extreme Oftcnfivc- nefs of the Matter which it contains; at the fams time my Letter, by Order of the King, to M. de Bujfy^ fending back the (aid Memorial, will fufficiently convey to your Excellency the jufl Senfations which fuch a Paper has excited here in the Breaft of every one to whom it was imparted. It is the King's Pleafure therefore, that your Excellency (hould immediately communicate to M. fVall the above-mentioned Memorial, together with my Letter to M. de Bujfy returning the fame ; and in cafe the Spanijh Minifter fhall avow that this flrange Piece has really been authorized by the Court of Madrid^ your Excellency will remonftrate, with Energy and Firmncfs, the un- exampled Irregularity of fuch a Proceeding on the Fart of Spain^ not only flill in Amity with Great Britain^ (though Difcuflions of Difficulty unluckily cngjge the Two Courts) but whofe Intercourfe has hitherto profeffed itfelf to be friendly, and whofe declared Aims have all along Teemed to point to an amicable Ajuftment of the long fubdfting Difputes relating to the Coafts of HonduraSy &c. by fome equitable Regulation of the Enjoyment of the Pri- vilege of cutting Logwood by the Subjedls of Great Britain ; you will farther exprefs with the utmoft Serioufnefs to M.Wally that nothing can equal the King's Surprize and Regret at a Tranfadion fo unprecedented, except His Majefty's fteady Purpofe, and immoveable Determination, not to be diverted, by any Confideration, from that even Tenor of Condudt towards Spain^ which His juft and conftant Care of His People didlatcs, and which His Royal Wif- dom and Magnanimity have hitherto purfued. On the one hand, then, His Majefty will by no means add Facilities for the Satisfaction of that Court, in confideration of any Intimation, on the Part of a hoftile Power, of Union of Councils, or of prefent or future Conjunc- tions ; nor, on the other hand, will His Majefty's Equity and Moderation ceafe to difpofc His Royal Mind to the fame reafonable Terms of Accommo- dation with Spaitty with regard to fuch Objedls, and in fuch Manner, as the King, excited by Inclination and determined by Syftem, has, through the Courfe of this Negotiation, invariably declared himfelf ready ta embrace. As to the Three Points mentioned in this Memorial ; Firft, Concerning the Reftitution of Prizes made againft the Flag of Spain^ or fuppofed to have been taken in Violation of the Territory of that Kingdom, it fuffices to fay. That the Courts, here inftituted to take Cognizance of all Matters of fuch a Nature, are always open to the Parties who think fit to feek Redrefs in doe Courfe of Jufticej and it is fuperfluous to obferve, That the Minifters of His moil Chriftian Majefty arc not a Tribunal to which Great Britain allows an Appeal. Next, t 3 1 ' Next, As to the ftale and inadmiflible Prctenllons of the Bifcayam and Guifpufcoans to fifli at New/oundiandt on which important Point your Excellency is already fo fully inftruded, you will again on this Occafion let M,lVall clearly underftand, That this is a Matter held facred : and that no ConcelHon on the Part of His Majcfty, fo deftrudlive to this true and capital Intereft of Great Britain^ will be yielded to Spaing however abetted and liipported : And it is ftill hoped, that Prudence as well as Juftice will induce that Court no longer to expert, as the Price of an Union which it is at lead as much her In- tered as ours to maintain inviolate, a Sacrifice which can never be thought of. Thirdly, With regard to Difputes relative to the Logwood Coalls, the King will ftill. receive with Pleafure, agreeable to His Majefty*s repeated De- clarations to the Court of Spain^ any jult Overtures on the Part of his Catho- lick Majefty (provided they be not conveyed through the Channel of France^ by whofe Intervention the King will never treat of thefc Difputes) for ami- cably adjufting the fame, and for removing efFc(ftuaily every Source of reafon- able Complaiiit or Difpute on this Head, by terminating to mutual Satif- fatjtion all Things relating thereto by a candid and equitable Regulation. After the above Memorial of France^ and the Intimation therein, little fliort of a Declaration of a War in Reverlion, and that not at a Dillance, held out in Urrorem on the Part of France and Spain^ M. fVall cannot wonder that your Excellency is ordered by His Maj^efty, as you hereby are, to defire again, in this Conjuntfture, a proper Explanation with regard to the Naval Armaments that have been fo long preparing in the various Ports of Spain: And his Excel- lency cannot but hi(^felf be fendble how ftrongly the King is called upon, in the Order of Things^ and from the indifpenfable Motives of what He owes to His Crown and People, to expedl that the Court of Madrid will come to fomc explicit and categorical Eclairciflement with regard to the Dellinaiion of her Fleets, as well as with refbedl to her Difpolitions to maintain and cultivate Friendship and good Correfpondence with Great Britain : And this meafure. is become the more highly necelTary, as the EmiiTaries and Partizans of France here are not a little atflive in endeavouring to infufe, particularly into People's Minds in the City, for Purpofes too obvious to mention, that a Rupture with Spain^ in Conjuniftion with France^ is approaching. Although in the Courfe of ;his Inftrut'a<5lion, the unfavourable Impreflions which this Memorial of the Court of France has juftly and unavoidably uiade on the Mind of His Majclly. . ,., ,., .,, ,.. . ., . t .' > I Tranjlation of a Memorial relating to Spain, delivered to Mr, Secretavj Pitt by M. de Bufly, 'Jul^ 23. 1761. •I *-: ••'.4 AS it is eifential, even as France and England delire it, that the projei^ed Treaty of Peace fliould ferve as a Bafis to a folid Reconciliation between the Two Crowns, which may not be diiturbcd by the Interelts of a Third Perfon, and the Engagements which the one or the other Court may have taken prior to their Reconciliation, the King of ^pain (hall be invited ro guaranty the Treaty of future Peace between the King and the King of Great Britain, This Guaranty will obviate prefent and future inconveniencies with regard to the Solidity of the Peace. '- * The King will noticonceal from His Britannick Majefty, that theDifFerences «f Spain with England alarm him ; and make him fear, if they were not adiufted, a new War in Europe and in America, The King of ^atn has trufted to His Majedy the Three Points of DilTention which fubfilt between his Crown and the Britifh Crown, which are, Firfiy The Reftitution of fome Prizes, made during the prefent War on his Catholick Majefty's Flag, and the Satisfadlion due for the Violation of the Spanijb Territory by the £»^/j^ Navy. k^.^ Second, The Liberty to the Spanijb Nation of the Fiflicry on the Bank of Newfoundland, third. The de(lru(ftion of the Englijh Eftablifhments formed on the Spanijb Territory in the Bay of Honduras. Thefe Three Articles may eafily be adjufted according to the Juftice of the Two Sovereigns ; and the King earnelHy wilhes, that fome Medium may be found, which may content the Spanijb and £»^/j^ Nations on thefe Two Points : But he cannot conceal from England the Danger which he fees, and of which he Ihall be obliged to partake, if thefe Objeds, which appear fenfibly to affcft his Catholick Majeity, fhould end in War. Therefore his Majedy thinks it a primary Conlideration, for the Advantage and the Solidity of rhe ir'eace, that, aC the fame Time that this dedrable Blcffing (hall be concluded between France and England, His Britannick Majefty may terminate his Differences with Spam, and may confent that his Catholick Majefty (hall be invited to guaranty the Treaty which is to reconcile, God grant for ever, the King and the King of England. As to the reft, his Majeity does not truft his Fears in this refpedl to the Court of London, but with the moft upright and the moft frank Intentions to - . .. prevent t t 5 ] prevent every Thing which may diflurb, for the future, the Union of the French and tnglijh Nations i and he dedres His Britannicic Majelly, whom he fuppofes animated with the fame Defire, to acquaint him naturally with his Opinion on fo eifential an Objedl. . r) Tranjlation of a Letter from Mr, Secretary Pitt /o M. de Bufly. SIR. V-i, .«.». h .' \t^tm i % •* '■J , •a<<.i Whitehall, July 24, 1761. HAVl N G explained myfclf, in our Converfaiion of Yefterday, on certain Eng tgcments of France wi'h Spain, concerning the DifcufTions between this lalt Crown and GrM/ Britain, the which your Court did not, till this Moment, announce to us had been taken before their iirft Propofals were made here for the particular Peace of the two Crowns ; and as you dcHred, for the greater Exadtnefs, to take a Note of what palTed between us on fo weighty a Subject ; 1 renew to you, Sir, by Order of the King, Word for Word, the fame Decla- ration which I made to you Yefterday; and apprizing you again of the King's molt fincere Sentiments of Friendfhip and real ConHderation towards His Catholick Majefty in every Thing that is reafonable and juft, I am again moO: plainly to declare to you, in the Name of His Majefty, That He will not fuffer the Difputes vi'mYx Spain to be mixed in any Shape whatfoever with the Ne- gotiation of the Peace of the two Crowns ; to which I am to add, that ic will be even confidered as otFenfive to the Dignity of the King, and not compatible with the Good Faith of the Negotiation, to make further Mention of fuch an Idta. Moreover! it is not underftood that France has, at any Time, a Right to intermeddle in like Dif'cuflions between Great Britain and Spain, *^ Such juft and indifpenfible Condderations have determined the King to order me to fend you back the inclofed Memorial concerning Spain, as totally inadmiflible. I alfo fend you back. Sir, as totally inadmiflible, the Memorial relating to the King of Pruffia, as afFedling the Honour of Great Britain, aijd the un- ihaken Fidelity with which His Majefty will fulBI His Engagements with His Allies. s * i.'l il • . '' ■' ' -, v»." I have the Honour to be, Off. » ^ .". P-. ; i' -.■\'t. t 5 -*, r» ^ ^->K> • ■ \ W. P I T T. [ 6 ] ') • »• r" "\ •' '■ ; . r ti Extrnfi of a Letter from the Earl of Briftol, to Mr Secretary Pitt, r/rt/t"^ Segovia, Augufl 31. 1761. Received September 11 //a T Mud now acknowledge the Receipt of a Copy of your Letter of the 24th -«' of July to M. de Bujjy^ together with Copies of two Memorials prcfentcd by that Miniltcr, both of which Performances you returned back as totally inad- mifliblc. ,, ., A few Hours after the Meflcnger Ardouin arrived at Segovia^ 1 went to iSt lidephonfoj where I paffed a confiderablc Time with General JVali', and as I have had four other conferences with his Excellency fincc the firl>> I will fet down, with the utmoft Precifion in my poyver, all that has paflcd between us. It was unnecefTary for me to communicate what related to the Negotiations for Peace with the Court of VerfailleSy as the Marquis Grlmaldt had tranfmitted Copies of that whole Tranfadlion ; however, from my (hewing a Readinefs to give that Mark of his Mijefty's Confidence in the 5ptfir(/& Miniltry, M. fVaU told me, the Catholic King was truly fenfible of his Majefty's great Attention towards Spahit and was convinced the Didance of England from hence occaHon- ed this Court's not receiving the earliclt Information from us of what was in Agitation. I then delivered to M. Wall the Copy of the Memorial relating to Spain^ dc- firing him to read it over, and to acquaint me whether it was Word for Word fuch as had been authorifed from hence ; on returning it to me, his Excellen- cy faid it was verbatim what had been fent by Order of the Catholick King to Verfailks\ whereupon I read your Letter to M. de Bujfy in which the Memo- rial was returned, faying. It was impoffible for me to give a ftronger Idea of the Impreinon that irregular Proceeding had made in England^ than by communica- ting to this Court the Manner in which fuch an unexampled Overture had been received, looked into, and fent back, by the King's Command. Nothing has been omitted, on my Part, to fhew what an unparalleled Pro- ceeding this was from a King, not only in Amity with Great Britain^ but whofe Profeffions (notwithftanding the difficult Difcuflions which had fo long and fo unhappily fubfifted between the two Crowns) had been uniformly calcu- lated to convince my Court, the only Aim of that of Madrid was amicably to adjud our Differences concerning the Logwood Coalls. With relation to the Idea of the propoled Guaranty of Spaing I defircd to know of M. JValt, Wherefore a Power that had no Share in the War was 10 be invited to guarantee the future Peace? And I entered very minutely into the Engagements taken by Spain with France in regard to our Difputes wirh the Catholkk King ; when I could not help expreffing the trueft Regret to find, not only of how Joqg Standing thofe Engagements were, from the Duke .1 \ \ It, [ 7 ] Duke of CbciftuCi own Confefllon, but alfo to perceive, they had been fo indu- ftrioufly concealed during fuch a Space of Time, and to find ihcm now produced in fo infolent a Manner by our Enemies, becaufc (for Views too obvious to be mentioned) the Fr^n^i' Miniftry looked upon that Period as the molt cri* tical Moment j yet I perfuaded myfelf the proper Reception this Tranfadion had met with at Home would clear up all M. de Choifeufs Doubts, and blall all his Expectations, iince he could not fail being at prelent convinced, no Mena- ces of an Union of Councils, nor any Threats intimating little Icfs than the Re- verfionary Declaration of War from Spain and France (perhaps not far off) could fhake, much lefs intimidate or force, England to permit her Spanijh Dif* putes either to be blended with our prefent Negotiation with the Court of Ver- faiiles^ or to fuffer France upon any Occafion to meddle in our DifcufBons with his Catholick Majefty ; and moreover, M. Buffy had been acquainted in the moll explicit Terms, That it would hereafter be confidered as offend vc to the King*s Dignity, if any further Mention was made of fuch Ideas : This 1 informed M. tVall was theenergick Language that had been held to the French Miniltcr at London 'f and that my Orders were, to remondrate with his Excellency on the unprecedented Conduct of £>^tf/» in conveying, at fuch a Conjun<5ture, through fuch a Channel, and in fuch Terms, her Sentiments to Great Britain. But I was commanded, whilft I expreffed his Majedy's Surprife at fo unheard of a Tranfadtion, equally to make known the King's Regret to find the Court of Madrid had taken fuch a Step ; yet his eminent Virtues would not permit even thefe Confiderations, or thefe Motives, in any way to divert his unalterable Refblution of adhering to the Heady Purpofe and uniform Conduct his Royal Wifdom had hitherto obferved towards Spain. I repeatedly enforced how Itrong my In(tru£tions were, to convince this Court it was not to be expei^ed or imagined, that the Intimations of a hoitile Prince, or any Infinuations of a Combination of Forces or Union of Intereib between Spain and France, would in the leaft facilitate the Satisfadtion which was afkcd from hence in Relation to our Differences in America. But the fame Magnani> mity that dictated to the King thefe Sentiments, prefcribed alfo to hisMajefty*s Equity the following Determination, which was the conftant Language I bad invariably held by my Sovereign's Commands, of his Royal Intewtioji being ever and alike difpofed to come to any reafonable Terms of Accommodation with Spain, finally to adjuft our long fubfifting Differences. With regard to the three Points contained in the Memorial prefented as the Spanijh Grievances, after dwelling upon the exa(5t and unimpeached Jufticc of the Engli/h Courts of Judicature, I obferved, it was the Fault of the Parties who thought themfclves aggrieved, if they did not fee!' Redrefs in that due Courfe which was ever open for them to purfue, fince there were the regular Courts eftabliihed to inquire into all Matters of that Nature, and thofe wha were not fatisfied with the Decrees iffued from thence, had always Recourfe t©) the Lords of Appeals j but that, it muft be owned, it gave no favourable Opi* ■1 1 ■ J :l I [ 8 ] nion of a CauTe about which the Clients only clamoured, without feeking to have it decided in the proper Forms of Law : And it was fuperfluous to add, how many Inftances might oe met with toafcertain this AlTertion ; therefore the firll Article might be looked upon only in order to fwell the Appearance of Grievances : And in all Lights, the French Minifters would never be authorized by us to take Cognizance of what was folely to be decided by Englijb Tribu- nals. As to the fecond Article, containing the Claim fo often fet upby the Bifcayan and Guipufcoans^ to fi(h at Newfoundland^ and as often den'ed by England^ I had, in the cleareft Terms I could make ufe of, fliewed, that the firft Difcovery of that Ifland was made at the Expence and by the Command of Henry VIL and I had likewife demonllrated the uninterrupted Pofleflion of it, from that Time to the prcfent Date, to have belonged to ihzEngltJh^tvom their being conftantly fettled there, whild ihc Spaniards never had any Eftablifhments in thofe Parts ; therefore it was abfolutely impofftblc for Great Britain to make the leaft Con- cefTion in fo clear a Right, and it was hoped Spain would no longer expert, as the Price of our Union, a Sacrifice which could never be granted by the Court of London, Lailly, concerning the Difputes about the Coafl; of Hunduras^ I could add nothing to the repeated Declarations I had made in the King's Name, of the SatisfaSion with which his Majefty would receive any jutt Overture from Spain (upon Condition that France was not to be the Channelot that Conveyance) for terminating amicably, and to mutual Satisfadlion, every reafonable Complamt on this Matter, by propofing (bme equitable Regulation for fecuring to us the long enjoyed Privilege of cutting Logwood (an Indulgence con6rmed by Trea- ty, and of courfe authorifed in the moll facrcd Manner), nor could I give rironger Aflurances than the paft, of his Majcfty's Heady Purpofe to caufe all Ertablifhments on the Logwood Coafts, contrary to the Territorial Jurifdidtion of Spain^ to be removed. After having gone through thefe feveral Points, General /Ftf//, as he haddoif)6 upon a former Occafion, defired me to pat into Writing the principal Heads of ray Difcourfe, promifing me to make a proper Ufe of them at the Defpachos, for his incorred Memory rendered fuch Notes abfolutely neceflary for him : 1 rea- dily complied with his Excellency's Request, as 1 was certain by that Method the Catholick King would beexaftly informed of what I meant to have convey- ed to his Knowledge. The inclofed Paper marked A is the Copy of what I wrote down and gave to the Spanijh Minidcr. I proceeded by faying, although a precipitated Step could not be entirely re- covered, yet it might be remedied ; for, without any formal Retra«, might foften, and even wipe off, any Imprcffions, however unfavourable, that might, nay, muft have been made on the Mind of his Majelty by this Memorial from the Court of France, *^ r'^^ ' >^o^,5iH,-|#4 j?^ rbiv J ^li — / / ' As \ : I C 9 ] As I thought I perceived a Difpofition in M. fFall^ in fome Mcafure, tt) difavow the OfFenlivenefs of this Step, I did not lofe the Opportunity of Jut. gelling every Pretext, and offering to his Excellency all Kinds of Handles ro explain away what had fo unavoidably given Difgult in England ; and I endea- voured, in purfuance of what you fo much recommended to me, to adapt my- fclf to thofe Circuniltances which were of a Nature to furnifli this Court with the bell Retreat imaginable. I have here relitcd, without Interruption, what has been allcdged'by me, and have fet down all the Arguments I made ufe of; therefore I will now proceed to ^ive an Account of what was infifled on by General fVall^ in fupport of his own Reafonings, or advanced by his Excellency in Contradidlion to mine. The Spi^mjh Miniller began by acquainting me, that M. Grimaldi had ron- veyed to him all tliat had palTed, either in Writing or in Difcourfe, between yourfelf, Sir, anfl M. de BuJJy^ as well as the Language Mr Stanley had held with the V)\i\it oi Choifeul on the Memorial relating to Spain, His Excellency told me, the mod ChriHan King having early intimated his DeHre here, that his Catholick Majelty Ihould guarantee the intended Peace between the Courts of London SLtid Fer fat lies ; in order to render that Peace more permanent, the King of Spain had thought proper to agree to that PropofaPs being made by France to England^ as well as to confent io France's cxprcfs Offer of endeavour- ing to accommodate the Difputes fubfitling between England and Spain^ at the fame Time (he was trying to put an End to a War which had laded fo long between the Britijh znd French Crowns: Buc he affirmed to me, that the Inten- tion of the Court of Madrid in afTenting to that Propofal, was totally void of any Defign to retard the Peace, and abfolutely free from the leafl Intention of giving Offence to his Majefty, tho' it appeared that Step had been produdlive of different Effedls ; that, as to England's declaring, fhe never would add Fa- cilities towards accommodating her Differences with another Sovereign, in confideration of any Intimation from a Power at War, or the Threatenings of an Enemy, the Catholick King could not but applaud thofe Sentiments in his Majefty, which he felt fo Itrongly within himfelf ; adding, it was certain the Court of London was at Liberty to rejedl any Propofals coming from the French Miniftry, yet that could not in any way influence the King of Spain's communi- cating whatever Meafures he thought conducive to his Interefts, to the Moft Chriftian King, his Catholick Majelly's Friend, Ally, and near Relation. M. PFall purfued his Difcourfe, by acquainting mc with F, ance's having fpontantoufly offered to the Catholick King, (in cafe the Difputes of Great tritam and Spain Ihould, at any Time hereafter, occafion a Rupture between our.Two Courts) to unite her Forces with thofe of Spain, to prevent the Englijh En- croachments in America upon his Catholick Majefty's Territory : An Offer which the Spanifh Monarch had received with that Cordiality which was due to a Fiitnd, who was determined even to involve herfelf in a frefh War in or- der to defend ^/j^i/w. J -.i, ,1^:.,. . ■ -r . . V . - - --.^^^ v.. Tj-,- ',v. ji. m. \v.\\ ^ B ; . '■\J ?'♦!.;■• . General I \l General Pf^all then alked me. Whether it was poflible tQ be imagined in, England^ the Catholick King was feeking to provoke us ; efpecially at a Time that the Court of London was in the moft flourifhing and moil exalted ,Situa* tion it had ever known, occaHoned by the greated Scries of Profperities thaC any (ingle Nation had ever met with ? and he afTurcd mc, the Catholick King, both licfore and at prcfent, eiteemed as well as valued the frequent Profcf* lions I had made, by Command from my Court, of His Majefty's Defirc to adjud our mutual Differences amicably } but he perceived, the Terms on which thofe Difpuces were fought to be accommodated, occadoned the Dif- ficulty. The Catholick King, he faid, did not think England woilld look upon the French Minilters as a Tribunal to whiph the Court of London would make an Appeal, nor meant it asAich, when the Firil Article of Grievances was conveyed through that Channel. As to the Second, the Claim of tho Guipufcoans and Bifcayans to fifli for Baccatlao ; it was what Spain bad alway t inliiUd upon, and never had receded from by any Treaty. And Laftly, con- cerning England*^ evacuating all the ufurped Settlements on the Logwood Coads, it had never been offered, but upon fuch Conditions as were incon-' fillent with the Dignity of the Spanijh Crown to accept of; (inee the CourC of London would only confenr, that, previous to her fending Orders to thofe unjuft Settlers to remove, and to caufe the FortiBcations to be demoliflied, the Catholick King Ihould be compelled to make known to the Engli/b^ in whac Manner the Logwood was to be alTured to the King's Subjects, notwith- flanding the Spani/h Monarch had repeatedly given bis Royal Word, a Me* thod fhould be found out for that Purpofe ; and that, till it was adjuiled: in what Manner Great Britain fhould enjoy that Privilege, the Englijb Cutters of Logwood fhould continue, without Interruption or Molellation of any Kind, to carry on their Commerce upon the Footing they at prc- fent exercife it. His Catholick Majefly only afking, that, for his own Royal Decorum, the ufurped Eltablifhments ^ould be relinquiihed by the Engliftfy to prove that good Faith we picqued ourfelves upon, and to convince Spatn^ we did not maintain thofe forcible PoiitfRons, as Pledges, which looner or later we imagined would compel the Court of i^^a^nV/ to grant us our own Terms, and in the mean time to increafe (which the Briti/h Subjeds did daily) the Encroachments upon the Coafts Honduras. This, Sir, to the beftof'my Recolle<^ion, is what has been advanced or replied by General Wall at our difltrent Interviews. Yet, for greater Accu- racy, and a fuller Explanation of the Sentiments of his Excellency, I defire Leave to refer you to the inclofcd Spanijh Paper marked (B), with the Tranf- lation diftinguifhed by the Letter (C), which includes the Subllance of what the Secretary of State firfl (poke from, then read to me, and afterwards gave into my Hands ; confenting to let me fend it to England^ not as a Memorialy but to be confidered in the fame Light with that Paper which I had agreed^ to give his Excellency, containing fome Notes, to enable him to reprefenc- to hi$ Royal Mailer, with Candour, what I had been ordered 19 lay a Strefs upon; t II 1 or upon; and this was delivered to me with the fame View ; a Proof wliercof that their was no Date to either of our Writings, no Signature, nor any was Title prefixed. At my firft Conference, I told General H^all I had received the King's Com- mands to defire his Excellency would, in the prefcnt Conjundurc, give nic a proper Explanation with regard to the Naval Armaments which had been car- ried on in the various Ports of this Country ; and to afk for an cxplicic EcLir- ciflement with relation to the Deftinatioh of the Spamfh Fleet ; as well as to in- form myfelf particularly, from his Excellency, what were the Difpofitions of the Catholick King to maintain Friendlhip, and to cultivate a good Corrcfpondence with his Majelty ; alledging, that this Mealure was judged by England to be the more ablolutely ncceflary at prefcnt, as the trench Emiflaries, and the Par- tifans of our Enemies, were attempting, by eveiy method, to propagate the Belief of an approaching Rupture with Spam^ in Conjundion with France \ therefoie the King thought himfelf llrongly called upon, from the indifpenfable Motives of what his Majelly owes to His Crown, and to His People, to expe<5l to have a Categorical Anfv/er to the Quellions I had put, by His Royal Com- mand. The laft Time 1 faw M. fVall^ which was the Fifth Meeting we had together, I renewed thole Qucftions, and then received exactly the fame Anfwcr which had been given me the firft Time ; That Spain was furprized Great BrU tain fhould take Umbrage at any Naval Preparations fhe was, or had been making fincc theAcceffion of his prefent Catholick Majefty ; for, including both the Ships of the Line, as well as the Frigates, the whole Number did not exceed in all that of Twenty ; which M. JVall aflured me were, by fcveral, fewer than thofe which had- been equipped during the Reign of the late King Ferdinand, His Excellency told me, that, with regard to their Dieftination, Tome were frequently going backwards andforwards between this Kingdom and Naples^ other s were intended to con voy the homeward, or outward bound Flotas, Aflbgues, or Regiller Ships ; and the remaining ones were to ferve as a Check upon the Barbary Corfairs, and to defend their Coatts, or fmaller Veflcis, from I'nfults : And in relation to the Tliird Queltion, his Catholick Majelly's Difpofition and Profeffions had invariably been the fame, and were ever meant to cement and cultivate the Friendlhip fo happily fubfilting between our Two Courts. » I hope. Sir, it will be found \ have minutely obeyed every Command I have been honoured with from His Majelly . 1 am but too confcious ot the unieafonable, and (I apprehend) tirefome Length of this Diipatch, which, on account of my frequent Inter vie w> with t lie 5/>«y/?^ Mini Iter, and from my urtv feigned Zeal for the Service of my Gracious Royal Maiier, has inleiifibiy led me on to be as particular as it was poiliblc on fo intereiling a Subjedl, and in fo critical a Conjundture. 1 wi(h thi^ Narration had proved a more fatisfadory one ; yet, when the Stile of General fVali's inchifcd h'aper is compared with that which was given to me laft January, I' hope it will ;^ppear there is lefs Peevilh- nefs at prefent here, than what was fo ftrongly exhibited ionie Months ago. The ftroHg Avowal of amoft intimate Cordiality between Spatrt and France, . B 2 , contained ^' C 12 3 contained in this laft Produ6tion of the Spanijh Secretary of State's, has hurc me. 1 could not avoid acquainting his Excellency, that it feenied calculated rather to fervc as an Apology for the Proceedings of the Court oiVerfailtes^ and to be a Juftilication of the Condudl of the French Minillers, than for any other Purpofc. I am, ^c. i\:\ V J' v(;. (l-? B R I S t O L. i,C' ^ranjlation of a Paper marked Ay inchfed in the Earl of Briflori Letter / / c . > e/" Aug. 31. 1761. -e. : ^ \ : ; I. £ ! ' f V I! I> I ■y MO N S. de Bujfy having prefented to Mr. Pitt a Memorial on the Part of his Court, concerning the Difcuflions of Great Britain with Spain \ the King my Mafter ordered his Secretary of State to fend back the (aid Memorial, as totally inadmiilible. II. . :. It has been told him, that France has not had, at any Time, a Right to meddle fn our Difputes with the Court of Madrid, ■ >. 111. Further, that it would be looked upon as ofFenfive to the King's Dignity, and incompatible with the good Faith of the Negotiation, that further Mention ihould be made of the Differences of our Courts. IV. Orders to make Remonftrances on the Conduft of Spain^ who, whilft flic lived in good. Correfpondence with England^ and has always declared that Her Intention was, to put an End to our long Difputes by fome amicable Arrange- ment, makes ufe of fuch a Voice as that of an Enemy to convey her Grievances to us. V. Although the King will never hearken to any Thing on Account of an Intimation from a Power at War, threatenmg an Union of Counfds, and hinting a future War, (perhaps not diftant on the Part of Spain and France) ; not with- itanding that. His Majefty, from an uniform Conduct, and condantly inclined to give every Satisfaction to his Catholick Majefty, continues ready amicably to terminate every thing which can occafion the leait Coolnefs between the Two Kingdoms. VI. With regard to the Three Articles recited in the Memorial as Grievances of Spam i I am ordered to fay, Firfl, That the Courts of Juftice, eltablifhed . - ^r^ , '■ ■ -■ in ! I hurt a ted and tber in England.^ to dedde Caufes relative to the Rellitution of Prizes made on the Spaniards^ or thought to be in violation of the Catholick King's Territory, are always open to all thofe who bring their Complaints thither ; and that tiie Mini Iters of the moil Chrillian King are not acknowledged in England as a Tribunal, before \^K\z\i England will confent that an Appeal be brought. Vlf. " As to the Second Article ; The firft Difcovery of the Ifland of 'Newfound- land^ having ben proved to have been made at the Exp^nce, and on the Account of King //^«rjf VII. the uninterrupted Pofleilion of that Ifland, by the Settle- ments of the Subjects of England ever (incc the faid Epoch to this Hour, has alfo been demonllrated : Further, Spain having never made any Settlement there, and the pretended Right of the Bifcayners and Guipufcoans not being at any time admitted, the King can never confent to the leall Conccffion on this Article ; and flatters himlelf that Spain will never expert, as the Price of an Union fo much to be wifhed for by the Two Nations, <» Sacrifice on the Part of Great Britain^ which can never be agreed to in any Shape. VIII. On the Subjedl of Logwood, which makes the Third Objef. Tranflation of a Paper delivered to the Earl of Briftol hy General Wall, " tf/ St. Ildefonfo, Aug. 28, 1761. Marked {C), ,-i ) *- THE Memorial which M. de Bujfy prefented to Mr. Pitt by Order of his Court,fetting forth the Defire the moll Chrillian King had to termi- nate his Peace with England^ under the Guaranty of the Catholick King, and that, at the fame Time, the Difputes between the Courts of Madrid and London, might in fome Shape be accommodated, is a Step, which his Catholick Majelly will not deny has been taken with his full Confent, Approbation, and Pleafure ; However, he will affirm and does affirm to the Court of Great Britain, and to the whole World, that his Intention in confenting thereto, as well as in appro- ving of it, was not to offend the Dignity of that Crown, or retard it's Peace ; on the contrary, to confolidate it, and, in all human Poffibility, to perpetuate it. It may have been produftive of contrary EfFecfls : For, asnioft Actions bear different Conflrudlions, this has not received in London the fame that was put upon it ^at Madrid and Paris; and both Courts have been concerned at dilpleafing the King of Great Britain^ and indifpodng Him froip continuing the Negotiations of ^ of a Peace with France, and of regulating his Differences with Spain, jointly^ or feparatcly, it is equal to both Monarchs, fince they have only Good in view ; tho' they will never give up to England a Right, which, without Example, it pretends to affume, of hindering the one from interfering in the Affairs of the other, for their mutual Altillance, as their Union, Friendfhip, and Re- lationlhip require. Thus the End being explained, which thi Courts of Madrid and Paris pro- pofcd by the delivery of the Memorial, the original Motive will ngw be ex- plained with the fame Sincerity. There is the greatelt Harmony between the Two Courts : And who, in this Age, can be furprifed there ihouJd be that Harmony between the Kings of Spain and Frame ? His molt Chrillian Majefty has communicated to his Car tholick Majeily, in confcquence, all the Steps taken to bring about a Peace from the very Befrinning of the War. His Catholick Majelty has acquainted his molt Chriltiuii Majefty, as often as there has been Occafion, with his Af- fairs at the Court oi London. j, ,, > . . His nioft Chriltian Majefty relolved to purchafe Peace at the dear Price of the PropofaJs contained in the Plan delivered by th will, it is hoped, under the Hand of Providence, procure (till farther Succefles to the juft Caufe for which this Country drew the Sword. The King at the fame Time continues to be difpofed, with equal Moderation, to put an End to the dreadful Calamities of War, the Moment the Enemy will liften to fuch Terms of Peace as (hall be confillent with his Majetty*s Honour, in fome Degree adequate to the Succefles of his Arms, and calculated, by promidng Permanency, to preferve Mankind from the various Diftrefles and Miferies, which have been fo fatally experienced during the Courfe of this cruel and bloody War. .'-{..;.'!, ■ ■ f " >' *, -l » ■>- ' , . , , '1 am, <5c. A; - -■ r' .^''■^^oul-.i EGREMONT. '''\ Cop) of a Letter from the Earl of Egreniont to the Earl of Briftol, / ; dated Od. 28. 1761. Secret and Confidential, . ? t • ■;.■!' ': ri; y ^-^1 ■: iifn'.t .') i(» .'! My LdkD, I AM to actjudint your Excellency, that his Majefty does irbt think proper to confine you, as to the Mode of opening yourfelf to M. (Fall, on the im- portant Subjedt of this Difpatch ; or to prefcribe whether you are to commu- nicate the Subftance of it verbally, or to trull the Whole, or any Part thereof, out of your Hands: Your Excellency's Experience of that Miniiler will, no doubt, fuggeft to you the Degree of Compliment and Confidence which is moft likely to fucceed, and which is,.for that Reafon, entirely left to your Difcretion. I am further to inform your Excellency, for your private Dircdion, That, in cafe you Ihould find infuperable Objections to fuch a Communication as is expected in i»y moll fecret Letter of this Date, and that, in lieu thereof, it Ihould be propofed to give his Majefty folemn Affurances of the Inno- cence of the Treaty in quellion with refpeft to the King's Intereft ; in fuch Cafe, your Excellency is not totally to rejeca the Alternative, but to take it Ji:.i^' f X'f;i? 3 Rj iissn^il wii**'* Sit ad t *4 1 nd referendum to be tranfmittcd to your Court : Provided always, That tht faid AiTurancts be given upon his Catholick Majelty's Royal Word, fignified in Writing, cither by the Sp^ttijh Secretary of Slate to your Excellency, or by the Conde d^ tuentes to the King!3 Secretary of State here, and not otherwife. 'j''\ :■'■'.. •]' I am, ^c. '■ \ EGREMONT. I'! if Copy of a Letter froni the Earl of Egremont to the Earl of Briftol, dated Odobcr 28. 1761. Separate and jeer ct* My LORDy , 1 IRefervcd for this feparate and fecret Letter the King's Commands, tbat your Excellency fhould pay the mol^ particular Attention to what is paffing, at this critical Conjuntiture, at the Court where you rcfide; it being highly impor- tant to his Majclty's Service,, that you (hould not only ufe your utnioll Endea- vours to pcnetrite, as far as you can, into his Catholick Majelty', real Views, as we 1 as into the prevailing Temper and Sentiments of his principal Minilters, but that you Ihou'd obferve, with a watchful Eye, every new Order or Regula- tion relative to their Sea and Land Forces, or to their Credit and Finance*, as far as the fame (hall appear to your Excellency to indicate the leaft Difponcion in the Court of Spain to depart, in any Shape, from their Neutrality, either by openly or fecretly afliiling his M ijelty's Enemies. The King's thorough Reliance on your cxp.rienccd Zeal for his Service, makes it unneceffary to recommend Vigilance on this Occafion. I am there- fore only to add, that your Excellency, in the diligent Profecution of this Ob- ject, will moll cautioufly avoid the leaft Mark of oiFcnfive Diffidence, which might, in any Degree, tend to interrupt thole friendly Difpofitions, which his Majefty (incerely wilhes to cultivate and improve. !(> V>' X '.'A-} '' > am, 6ff. ni X EGREMONT. .O- *if v,.ft;' Ju/i;'. W •n':> 'It? I •■'•^s-i) Copy of a Letter from the Earl of Briftol, to Mr Secretary Pitt, dated Efcurial, October 12. 1761. Received NovcmBer the 8//6, SIR, .4J- ■^•■\ T Delivered the King's Letter, notifying his Majefty's Marriage, to the Queen -■- Mother at St Ildepbonfo^ who defired me' not to fail acquainting the King, how much her Majelty intereftcd herfelf in every Event, where the King's Hap- pinefs was concerned. Thd A,v . [ 21 1 MtarJs Pundonor^ was confidered, by His Majclty, as a happy Prcfagc of a fpccdy and ariHcablc Cnnclunon ot all Difputes fubfiiring between the (wo Crowns. U is judged highly expedient for the King's Service, that the Court of Spain (houidf in the prdent Moment, bet apprifed of the Sentiments of that of Great Btitatn. 1 am therefore to acquaint your Excellency, that his Ma- jelly continues to hive Nothing more at Heart, than to cultivate the molt cordial Fricndlbip with his Calholick Majefty •, trufting, however, to find this Difpofition rec procal on the Part of Spain. Nothing being more evident, than the mutual Advantage which mud arifc to both Courts from a State of Union and Amity ; and perhaps Experience has (hewn, that when, in Con- tradiction to the obvious Principles of our common Intcrcil, that Harmony has been unhappily interrupted, Spain has always been the greateft Sufferer. Thcfe being the King's Sentiments, his Majedy cannot imagine that the Court of Spain (hould think it unreafonable, to defire a Communication of the Treaty acknowledged to have been lately concluded between the Courts of M drid and Verjatiles^ or of fuch Articles thereof as can, by particular and explicit Engagements, immediately relate to the Interelts of Great Bri- iain, or, in a more general and diilant View of Affairs, be any ways con- llrued to affedt the fame in the prefent Conjundlure, before he enters into farther Negotiation on the Points depending between the two Crowns; which the King conceives may be foon amicably accommodated, if his Catholick Majtlly means to bring the fame Facility on his Part, as his Majefty is determined to (hew on his, towards the (peedy Adjudment of that, which fcems now to remain the principal, if not only Matter in Difpute : For though the King, from his Confidence in the repeated AlTurances of Friend- fhip from his Catholick Majelty, is unwilling to fuppofe that a Treaty, concluded by him, can contain any Thing to the Prejudice of Great Bri- tain ; yet as the Court of France has afFedted to give out that Spain was on the Point of entering into the War ; which Language has been induftrioufly propagated, and generally with Succefs, in molt Courts of Europe ; his Ma< jelty therefore thinks, that the Honour of his Crown, and the Interells of his People, equally call for an Explanation with regard to this already too much credited Report, before he can, condilent with his own Dignity, pro- ceed in any Negotiation with Spam i nor can any fair or candid Dilcudion of the Rights or Differences of the tv/o Courts^ake place upon a juft and equitable Footing, (hould Spain^ while (he is fully informed of the Extent of all his Majefty's Alliances and Connetfiions, maintain a fufpicious and unkiendly Referve, with regard ro a Treaty recently concluded between her and his Ma- jefty 's declared and inveterate Enemy ; by whom it is openly and induitri- oufty alTerted, throughout Europe^ that the Purport thereof is hoiltli^ to Great Britain, «r. ' lam. -' -. *-. y. .*.«-... ti, i I ?2 ] .. . I am here to inform your Excellency, that, in my firll Conference with tho Count de b'uentcs^ 1 explained this Matter tully ; but his Excellency avoided entering into it, and lecmed to wilb that it might be pafled through another Channel ; dilclaiming, however, in the Ilfongelt Manner, any unfriendly In- tentions of his Court. It is therefore the King's Pleafure, that your Excel- lency Ihould ufc the molt prclfing Inltances to M. IVally to obtain htch Com- munication as is above mentioned ; and it is hoped, that you will eafUy con- vince a Miniiler (o thoroughly acquainted with the Nature and Conltitution of this Country, of the Importance of this Tell of Friendlh p, to the Support of that defirable Harmony between the two Courts ; and how much a Rcfufal to give due Satisfai^lion on this Head, would impede artd obltrudt his Ma- jclly'ii bell Intentions towards that valuable Objedl. It \^ necdlels to recouinicnd to your Kxccllcncy, to urge this Matter in the moll polite and trcrtdly Terms; gently infinuating the above Arguments, to Ihew, that his Majcfty ought to be fatisficd us to this Matter, bcrore he proceeds to other Points : Bur on the other hand, your Excellency will give the Spanijb Mimilcr the Ihongeft Aflurances, that, this OUlacle once removed, his Majclly is moll finccrely and cordially difpofcd to enter into an amicable Difcuilion of other Matters in Difpute \ little, doubting) but that a confirmed reciprocal Confidence would naturally point ouc Expedients to fave the Honour of both Kings, adjull Things to mutual Sa- ttsfadlion, and eltablilh a Harmony, as permanent as advantageous to both Courts. Nor can I more explicirly enforce the King's real Sentiments on this Head, than by. referring your Excellency to your own Difpatches, wherein you have repeatedly made the moCt conciliating Overtures, particularly in that of the 3111 of Augufi lall, which I cannot more properly cxprcfs, than in your Excellency's own Words, as follows : ** Concerning the Difputes about the *' Coall of Honduras^ I could add nothing to the repeated Declarations I had made in the King's Name, of the Satisfadlion wjth which his.^Majelly would receive any jull Overture from Spain (upon Condition, that France was not to: be the Channel of that Conveyance) for terminating amicably, and to mutual Satisfadlion, every reafonable Complaint on this Matter, by propoHng fomc equitable Regulation for fecuring to us the long enjoyed Privilege of cutting Logwood (an Indulgence confirmed by Treaty, and. of courfe authorifed in the moft facred Manner) ; nor could. I give ftronger AlTurance? than the pall, of his Majefty's Heady Purpofe to caufeall Ellabliihtiients onth^ Log- w()o would be unbecoming the Dignity of the Kingof5^tf/>f to enter into any Negotiation with another Power, v ho avowedly Withheld from his Catholick Majclty fcveral illegal Settlements in his Territories ; although the French Minifters, in order to ren- der all Accommodation between England and Spain utterly imprad>icable, re- commend to this Court theNeceility of inHiting, that every Enghjhman what- ever (hould withdraw from each Part of the Logwood Coails, before any Over- tures are made for the Regulation of our Commerce with Spain; yet M. IVall faid, that the Catholick King could not give a Itronger Proof of his Defire iincerely to put an End to our Difputes, by fome amicable Regulation, than ' exacting only the Reiinquifhing that Ellablilhment on Kio Tinto^ which, while It nicnced the Clamours ot our Enemies, would alfo facilitate this Court's coming to a fpcedy Adjullment with England ; for all that was requelVed from us was, to make known to the World our own good Faith, at the fame Time that it would ferve as a Salvo to the Spaniards Pundonor for entering into a Negotiation^ after having fo often infifted on the Evacuation of the Catholick King's Dominions m x\\z Weft Indies, ', ' . lam, (^e. < - 1^- «> "V :] ; f • V ;- ;l . '.< BRISTOL. Copy of a moft fecret Letter from the Earl of Egremont, to the Earl ff Briftol, dated OAobcr 28. 1761. My LORD, IN opening my Correfpondcnce with your Excellency, it gives me great Pleafure to be able to inform you, that your Letter of the Fourteenth pad, wherein you mention, ** Ihat M. fVallh-ds acquainted you that the Catholicic ** King had, at no Time, been more intent on cultivating a good Correipon- '* dence with His Majefty, than at ptefent,*' having been laid bctorc the King, His Majefly received, with particular Satisfaction, fuch an auihentick Declaradon of the good Intentions of his Catholick Majefty ; and the King highly approves of the Affurances your Excellency gave, in return, to the Spani/hMimHtx, with regard to additional Works at Gibraltar: And it is with great Pleafure I can alTure your . x .cllcncy, that having made proper Inquiry into that Matter, I find no Orde; j whatfoever have been iffued with regard to thofe Fortifications; and therefore nothing can have been done there, but the ufual and necelTary Repairs. I am alfo to inform your Excellency, that the Confirmation of the fame good Difpofitions in the Court of Spain, manifefVed by M fVall's expreffing (as reported in your Difpatch of the 28th paft) their Readinefs to come to a fpcedy Adjuftment with England, upon our evacuating the mofl recent Settlements on the Coalt of Honduras^ only to ferve as a Salvo to the Spa^ » • .. .. _ 'wards King had at no Time been more intent on cultivatiug a good Correfpondence with His Majelly, than at prefent.' After fo explicit a Declaration of the Sentiments of Spain on this very mate- rial Point, I thought it incumbent upon me to remove, as far as it lay in my Power, all the Jealoufies and Sufpicions which I found had arilen from any Workmen being employed at Gihralter, I therefore aflured M. fVall of my having no kind of Reafon to imagine any Orders had been iffued trom Englandy to increafe the Works of that Fortrefs ; for I had conllantly been told that Place was impregnable by Land, of courfe Money would not be fquandered away there unnectiTarJly ; yet, as fome of the ancient Forts might want Re- pairing, and as each new Governor would naturally exhibit his Attention and Diligence in the Care of fo important a Truft, General Par/low might probably be employing fome Hands for that Purpofe, which was a fufficient Ground for the Intelligence his Excellency had received, as all Reports from diltant Pro- vinces were very much magnified before they reached the Capital. I am, ^c* BRISTOL. Cofy of a Letter from the Earl of Briftol to Mr, Secretary Pitt, dated Segovia, bept. 21. 1761. Received Odt. 16. ^.^^ " SIR, '-' ' '' ■ ' • ' - - ■ AMelfenger arrived at St. Ildepbonfi laft Week, with the News of the fafc Arrival of the Fiota >n the Bay of Cadiz^ but the Particulars of the Cargo on Board arc not yet exadly known. ' ^ ; } v , , I have been afTured that this Court is difappointed, fince there is little above 330,000/. brought from America upon the Catholick King's Account ; which Sum, confidcring it is the Produce of the Royal Revenue for Two Years, in the (Vefi Indies, it is not conliderabie, and (hews the great Mifmanagemcnt that reigns amonglt the A(rciror«and Collectors in thofe Parts. The Viceroys and Governors endeavoured to difculpate themfelves, by fending heavy Complaints againft their inferior Officers ; and thefe retort the Accufations, by alledging, that thofe who are fet over them to prevent all illegal Pradices, ar*.: thefirll and principal People who defraud the King of Spain of his Due, by encouraging the contraband Trade upon the Coafts, and conniving at the Introdudlion of all Kind of Goods, for which they, the Chiefs, receive large Prefcnts; by thefc Means the Markets and Fairs are glutted with every Kind of Commodity froni Europe when the Floca arrives from Old Spain ; fo that, from the Magazines being then full, no Vent can be found for the new Merchandize but upon very difadvantageous Terms, which the Fadors arc compelled to fubmit to, rather i \ a-^ t i8 ] than to return hither with the fame Goods they carried out. As his Catho* lick Majelly feems lo have the Profperity of his extenflve Dominions io much at Heart, and is confcious how highly requifite it is, for the Welfare of his Subjedl§ in the different Parts of the World, to put his Affairs upon an entire new Regulation} his Miniders do not fail fuggeiling often to i,im, the Im- praiSlicahility of fetting about to alter the old defe(5live Sylttin of Governmtnt that has fo long prevailed, if the Court of Madrid ihould cnibroil nk\\ in the prefcnt Troubles of .£»rf/>^, by taking a Part in the War againll Gw•".. , .* BRISTOL. ' ' Copy of a Letter from tix Earl of Briftol, to Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated Segovia, Sept. 28. 1761. Received OO., 20, I • 1 '{, SIR, " DON yaymi Mafones^ late AmbalTador from this Court to that of VerfailUs having obtained Leave to relign his Employment of Dire«aor -General of the Artillery, has been appointed by the Catholick King one of the Coun- fellors of State. - .' M. H^all has acquainted me, that, by the frefheft Intelligence he has been able to procure from America^ he has been told, the Enghjh Settlers upon the Logwood Coaft had chiefly been fortifying themfelvcs at Rio Tinto, where they had cail up confiderable Intrenchmcnis, and had placed feveral Pieces of Canon upon the Ramparts. His Excellency added, as that Eftablifhment, to- gether with thofe near the River fFal/is znd the Laguna Azul^ were indifputably of a very recent Date, he did not conceive what Difficulty Great Brttam could alledge for avoiding to evacuate fuch avowed Ufurpations, if the Court of London was really Hncere in the Profeffions which had been fo repeatedly made to Spain^ of its Intention to caufe all Settlements, contrary to the territorial Ju- rifdiclion of his Catholick Maiefly, to be abandoned. General IVall has ear* neftly defired my giving the Itrongeft AlTurances at Home, that, if Orders were fent for recalling thofe Britijh Subjedls, who arc now at Rio Tinto^ and direifling them to withdraw their Canon from that Place, the King of Spain promifed, in the amplell Manner, that no kind of Difturhance fhould be given to any of the Logwood Cutters in whatfoever Parts they were, cither on the Coafts of Compeaciy or of Honduras ; but that they (hould be permitted to carry on their Trade unmoleiled, until an Agreement could be made, and a Con- vention fettled, between their Brttannick and, Catholick Majefties, for- the final Adjuilment of this long dependinjg Bufinefs, to the mutual Satisfaction of our Two [ 25 ) his 9 ire a m- 1 tnt 1 in 1 ™ 4at 1 ■ '•■1 • ;V^* ..- ;■ ■1 , ■ '-^ » '■ ■ -■^■^S md '' 'm '■m .-I The CrtUft fcft OUCaftiliCiti ifie 7th Inftant, and arrived the fame Day here. Cenerat Parjlow having fent me an Anfwcr to a Letter I wrote to him, in- quiring whether there were any Grounds for thofe Reports M. fVuU had men- tioned to me, concerning fome additional Works carr}fingon at Gibraltar^ and having acquainted ine of what was going forward, which confided only in fome necefl'iry Repairs and Conveniences for the Garrifon, I read the whole Letter co General fVaU\ defiring him to acquaint his C«tholick Majelly with that very authentic Contradidion of what had been malicioufly conveyed to this Court : AlTuring his Excellency at the fame Time, that Spain need have no Suf- picion oi England's not trulting to the repeated Declarations, he fM. fVall) had made to me, of the pacific Difpodtion of the King his Mailer ; lor I had con- ilantiy and explicitly given an Account of thofe Profeflions in my Difpatches, which correfponded with the Sentiments and Inclinations of Great Britain^ to maintain a perfect Harmony and thorough Union between the two Kingdoms, iVL Europe iA^tW d>.i\ti America. I am, (^c. V-. BRISTOL, -; Copy of a Letter from the Earl of Briftol to the Earl of Egrcmont, , dated Efcurial, November a. 1761. Received November 14. My LORD, : :.. A : -; > - ; THE furprifing Change I have of late perceived in General WaW& Dif- courfe, and the unlooked-for Alteration of that Minifter's Sentiments with regard to the prefent Situation of this Country, has determined me to dif- patch the Meflenger P^//^ to EngUnd^ that your Lordfhip may be thoroughly informed of the haughty Language now held by this Court ; f'o diiferent from all the former Profemons made to me by the Catholick King's Commands, and fo diametrically oppofite to the moft folemn and repeated Declarations 1 had re- ceived from the Spamjh Secretary of State, of a thorough Refolution to main- tain a perfeifl H.irmony and good Correfpondence between the two Kingdoms, fo requifite for their mutual Intereft and reciprocal Felicity. Such Itrong Reports of an approaching Rupture between Great Britain and Spain^ grounded upon feveral authentick AfTurances I had received, that fome Agreement had been fettled and Hgned between their Catholick and moH: Chriltian Majefties, determined me to inquire minutely into this Affair ; and therefore/ 1 took an Opportunity of 'mentioning to M. IVallit that notwithiland- ing the frequent, and even late Declarations he had made to me, concerning the pacifick Inclinations of Spain, yet 1 could not conceal the Uneafincfs it gave me, to hear from all Parts, both within thefe Kingdoms, and from other ^ - , . ^ D . Countries, ?'. ji. i t ^ Countries, that a Treaty had not long fince been concluded between the Courts of Madrid and yerfailUs, and therefore I deHrcd his Excellency would fatisfy my Doubts, by informing me, whether there was any Ground for thefe Ru- mours ; and, in cafe ir were poflible, after all that had pafled between us, for tuch a Convention as was hinted at, to have been concluded ; then I hoped to be told of what Nature this Treaty was, whether Offenfive or (ingly Defen- jfive, wiiat were the principal Conditions contained in it, and with what Views this fudden and clofc Union between Spain and France had been calculate : For I could neither hear fuch Reports with Indifference, nor give Credit to the Truth of them, without an exphcit Avowal thereof, from his Excellency's Mouth. Inllead of anfwering me direfbly, General Wall began, by faying, that the King his Maiter had Reafbn to think the Conduift of England unwarrantable ; for his Cathoiick Majclty never could obtain an Anfwer from the Britijb Mi- niilry, to any Memorial or Paper that was fent from hence, either by the Channel of the Count de Fuentes^ or through my Hands: He told me, we were intoxicated with all our Succcfles, and a continued Series of Vidtorics had elated us fo far, as to induce us to contemn the reafonable Conceflions ¥fanc9 had confented to make to U!> for a Peace ; but that it was evident, by our Re- fufal of the Due de Cboifeurs Propofals, all we aimed at was, 6rlt, to ruin the J-remb Power, in order more eafily to crulh Spain, to drive all the SubjeAs of the Chriitian King, not only from their ifland Colonies in the new World* but a)fo to dcflroy their feveral Ft)rts and Settlements upon the Continent of North America^ to have an eafier Talk in feizing on all the Spantflj Duminioni in thole Parts, thereby to fatisfy the utmoit of our Ambition, and to gratify our unbounded Third of Conquelt. After M. fVall had worked up his Anger to a Height I had never before feen, he then l.iid, with uncommon Warmth, That he would himfelf be the Man lo advifc the King of Spain, fince his Dominions were to be overwhelmed, at Ittit tu have them fcized with Arms in his Subjeds Hands, and not to continue the pailive Victim he hud hitherto appeared to be in the Eyes of the World. I attended to this Difcourfe, without interrupting the Thread of it ; and, at the Conclufion of it, 1 dcfircd, with the utmoft Serenity, ot General fyall, to give me an nnlwer to the Queflions I had firft darted, and we would after* \v.irds proceed to difcu 1 defired toiinQw> what Inllance there was of any Country^ not endeavouring [ 29 3 endeavouring to obtain the mod advantageous Conditions for itfclf at a Peace, efpccially when Providence had vouchfafed to blefs a righteous Caufe with Succeis: This was the Cafe of Great Britain ; we were bouml by rtrong En- gagements to fupport our Allies, and infilled on being at Liberty to fuh'ii thofe Engagements according to the Extent of them ; whiUl we determined to feiUe our Empire in America upon fucha Footing, as Ihouid free our Colonies there from Encroachments, and not leave them to be liable to a Repetition of fuch Chicanes from the jFrf»f^, as had caufed the Beginning of thofe Di« • ilurbances, which had afterwards extended themfclves into Europe. This was the Sum of my Difcourfe •, and when I recurred to my repeated Inilunces for Information concerning the Treaty, all that 1 could, with Oif- • iieulty, extort from Gener*l ^a//, was, That his Cailiolick Majelty had judged it expedient to renew his Family Compacts (thofe were the exprefs Words) with the molt Chrillian King. 1 begged to know when thofe Compaifts had firit been agreed upon ;, and at what Time, whether very lately, or fonie Months ago, they had received a freth San<5lion. Here the Spanijh Miniiler itopt fhoit, and, as if be had gone beyond what he intended, he faid, that the Count de Puentej and M. Bu0 had declared to his Majelly's Minilters all that was meant to be communicated to them; and altho' 1 continued in -the Clofet fome ihort Time after that Declaration, as I found I was to expect nothing but a Repetition of the fame Anfwer to every Quedion I put, I determined to retire. This, my Lord, is the Hefult of my Enquiries, and here the Budnefs refts at prefent. Two Ships have lately arrived at Cadiz, with very extraordinary rich Cargoes from the /i^^ /» t 3« 1 Ic would be both tedious, and ufelefs, to enter minutely into the Anfwers fo •bvious to be given to the ofFenfive Digreflions, by which M.^^i// determinate- ]y evaded giving any Satisfaction to your Excellency's molt reafonable Demand, with regard to the Treaty lately concluded with France. I ihall therefore concent myfclf with very few Obfervations in the Order of your Difpatch. As to the AlTcrtion of that Minifter, ** That his Caihohck Majelty never " could obtain an Anfwer from the Briti/h Minillry, to any Memorial or *' Paper that was fent from SpatH, either by the Channel of the Count deFuenies, *' or through your Hands;" it would be a ufelefs Condefcendence to appeal fo repeatedly to thofe ample Materials in your Excellency's PolTt^flion, for the Confutation of a Proportion fo notorioufly groundlefs, that it fcarce defcrves a ferious Anfwer. The Language M. ff^all held, relative to the late Negotiation with France^ as well as with regard to our Ambition and unbounded Thirlt of Con* quelt, as it confifts ot mere abufive AfH^rtion, without the lead Shew of Argu- ment, deferves nothing but plain Contradidion. His Maj^fty read, with particular Concern, the intemperate and rafh Advice which thai Minifter talked of propofing to the King his Mader, grounded upon mere chimerical SuppoHrions of intended Holtilities againlt Spain^ which do the hiprheit Injullice to the Purity and Integrity of His Majelly's Intentions : And M. fVali mult himfelf know, that there has been a particular Delicacy ob- ferved, in concerting our Plansfor Military Operations, to avoid carrying Hof- tilities towards ObjeAs, which might give the lealt Jealoufy or Umbrage to the Court of SpatH; and therefore. His Majefty can only confider fuch unjuft Suggcitions and groundlefs Sufpicioiis, as deititute of Probability, as of Proof, as a mere Pretext, in cafe, that, contrary to all good Faith, and the molt foiemn repeated Profeflions of friendly Inttntion^, the Court of Spain (hould have medi- tated or refolved on Holtilities againlt England: Which as, on the one hand. His Mjeftywill, with hi ufual Moderai, : , endeavour to prevent, by all Means confiftent with His own Dignity, and that of the Nation ; fo,on the other, he will, with theutmolt Firmnefs and Refolution, Itrenuouily repel, with that Vigour which becomes a Monarch confcious of being attacked without Caufe or Provocation, and zealous at all times to alTert and vindicate the Honour of Hi^ Crown, and the Rights of His Subjects. The Patience and Calmnefs with which your Excellency liftened to what muft have been fo painful to hear, as the vague Declamation with which the Spamjh Secretary eluded, for the fecond Time, returning any Anfwer to theQucition youfo properly perfevercd in urging to him ; and your having (till returned to the Charge, after an Interval of an Hour, without any effed, except the dry unfatisfaSory telling you. That the Count de Fuentes and M. Bujljyy " had de- •( dared to His Majelty's Minilters all that was meant to be communicated to ** them ;" has fo unpromidng an Afpe(ft, as to give the King very little Realon to hope for good Effe i I C 32 ] difaeireeable Neceflity of demanding a precifc and categorical Anfwer from the Court of Madridy relative to their Intention with regard to Great Britain in this critical Conjundure ; and therefore, it is his Majcliy's exprcfs Command, that your Excellency, making fuch Ufe of this Difpatch, as you fhall judge proper, do, without lofs of Time, demand of the Spani/h Secrcury of State, in His Majefty's Name, an immediate, clear, and categorical Anfwer to that Que- Aion ; and that you do alTure M. ff^ai/^ with becoming Firmncfs, and in the moil explicit Terms, that any Procraftination, Ambiguity, or EvaHon, will be confidered as ample and fufficient Grounds, for authorizing his MajeiW to cake fuch Steps as His Royal Wifdom fhall dilate, for the Honour and Dignity of His Crown, and for the Protedlion and Security of His People. At the lame Time that your Excellency cannot be too firm and explicit u^^on this Quellion, you will be, particularly cautious, not to ufe the lealt HarHineTs in your Manner, or mix any thing in your Converfation with the Spanijb Minider, which canf have the lead Tendency to indifpofe or irritate him. Nothing would more eiTeniially contribute to His Majeily's real Satisfaction, than your Excellency*^ bringing back that Court to a difpaflionate and reafonable Way of Thinking ; and your procuring fuch an Anfwer, as might juilify His Majefty's Continuation of the, fame friendly and amicable Intercourfe, which is not more the Intereft of both Countries, than his Majedy's fincere Defire. Various are the Proofs that could be given of this DifpoHtion of His Majefty : Notorious it is to all Europe^ thac^ in His Majedy's Councils, every Thing which might indicate a Tendency to break through that good Underftanding between the two Courts, which He is fo anxious to maintain, has been cautioufly avoided. Happy, if fuch Meafures, properly attributed to th€ Re^itude of His Royal Mind, ihould contribute to* wards the falutary Eff^dls which His Moderation thereby propofed : But fhould, on the contrary, a falfe and injurions Interpretation, conftrue into Timidity His Majefty's Denre of maintaining Peace with Spain^ provided that Defjre was reciprocal on the Part of the Catholick King ; anc fhould a Rupture enfue, after every becoming Facility given on the Part of Great Britain \ His Majefty will, at leafl, have the Coniolation to refledl, that, whatever the Confequences may be, he can appeal to all the World for the Redlitude and Purity of His Intentions, and for the Moderation he has obferved in endeavouring to prevent fo great a Calamity, by every Step which His Honour and Dignity couldpermit. i .'If:.' i > ,it;j-;^- ■ rVl. li I am, &r. ■ .1 f.^' ■:. :o EG RE MONT. i »;? J) ^ i -t '%! '.,v\«. t ,r it"? i^^.ji:i^''C':' '--^n/f v: •' ■'■' ■ t C(^ of a Letter from the L^arl (f Egremont ro the £ / ^Briftol; dated lli^os, i()i V-;6l* Moji Secret. ' ' M^ LORD, ' * - • ' ,..-M HAvihg, In my public Letter of this Date, (i^n ^ed tot .ur Excellency the King's Picafure, with regard to your Lett( ot the 2 a Inftant, by Potter i I have it further in Command from his Majerty, to acquaint your Excellency, for your particular Governmtnt in a Matter of To much Importance, that, if the Court of Spain (hould have refufed to give your Excellency the Satisfaction required in my moft Secret Letter of the 18th paft, or the Alternative, which, by my (ecret and confidential Letter of the fame Date» yqur Excellency was permitted to take ad referendum *» or that, having demanded the categorical Anfwer required of Mr. fTait in my Letter of tnis Day's Date, he mould, cither in direft Terms, or by Implication, aclcnowledgea having entered into ■any Agreenaent with, or entertaining any Intention of joining, the French in this War, or of afting hoftilely towards the King, or any VVays departing from their Neutrality ; it is the King's Pleafure, That, in any of thofe Cafes, your Excellency do furthwith come away from JVid^r/^ without talcing Leave, and repair with all convenient Speed loUshon^ where you will find a Ship of War ready to receive your Excellency, and to fail with you to England'. And you are to fignify to the Spanifh Minifter, that either a peremptory Refufal of giving any Satisfaction, or ofdifavowing aiiy Intentions to take Part with .our declared and inveterate Enemies in the prefent War, cannot be looked upon by His Majefty in any Light, but as an Aggrefllon on the Part of Spain, and as an abfolute Declaration of War. ., . %'' "^ ' --J .. . ' ' . • . ' , . . ... . i 1 1 , .-> 7 . , V! ^ ■.-4f^ ^^M r ^ "•*"> '.-if I am, Csff. EGREMONT. Cop) of a Letter frmt the Earl o/^Egrcmont to the Earl (?f BrifloJ, ^^/^^ November 19//;, 1761. Separate and Secret, MyLORD^ I Am commanded by the King to acquaint your Excellency, that» in cafe you fliall have fiifficient Reafon to conclude, from the Obfervations which you (hall have made, from the I irae of your difpatching Potter to that of his Return, that there are little or no Hopes of fuch an Anfwer as your Excellercy is ordered to demand from the Spanifh Minifter, you will, in that Cafe, take the moft private and moft expeditious Manner that the Thing will admit of, to give immediate Notice of the critical Situation in which E wr. C 54 3 we (land with regard to Spain , to Major General PurJIcw at Gibraltar ^ and to all His Majefty's Confuls in Spain and Portugal, in order that they may put thtmfclves, and His Majefty's Trading Subjefts, properly on iheir Guard againft whatever may happen \ and your Excellency will alfo cake the proper Means to make the fame Communication to Sir Charles Saunders. But when your Excellency (hallBnd your Departure from Madrid inevitable, and tha , m Conformity to His Majefty's Commands, figniHed by the feveral Letter! of this Difpatch, you muft immediately fet out (or Lisbon; in (uch Cafe, you are, without Lofs of Time, to fend off, in the moft fecnre, fecrer, and expe- ditious Manner, a Letter to Admiral Saunders^ and another to Commodore Kippe/f acquainting each of thofe Officers that you have taken your final Refo- lutions to leave the Court of Madrid, Your Letter to Admiral Saunders you will convey through Major General Pa/j^du;, to be forwarded with the utmoftExi- pedition to the Admiral ; fending, at the (iime Time, a Duplicate to Mr. Hay ac Lisbon, to be difpatched by a Frigate which the Lords of the Admiralty have ordered there for that Purpofe r And your Excellency's Letter to Com- modore Keppel you will alfo tranfmic to Mr. Haj, to be by him forwarded by another Frigate which is ordered to Lisbon. As it is of the utmoft Importance to His Majefty^s Service, that the Noti- fication of your Excellency s final Refolution to leave Madrid^ ftiould not only be made the Moment fuch Refblutions are taken by your Excellency, but chat they ftiould reach Admiral Saunders by the quiciceft and fecurcft Con- veyance poftible ; it is the King's exprefs Command, that, lliould your Ex^ cellency have the leaft Reafon to fufpeft, that the Mefienger or Pcrfon whom you fliall employ to carry fuch Notification to Gibraltar or Lisbojt,. may be in* tercepted or ftopped, in that Cafe, your Excellency will immediately fee out yourfelf for the Frontiers of Portugal, and from thence you will difpatch to Mr. ^ion of Interefls, that could not fail (I hoped foon) to unite us, notwith- ftanding the mean Artifices, and infidious Attempts, which France, under tbe (pt-cious Veil of Friendlhip towards the Court of Madrid, had employed to low DUrcntion between us ; and that merely with a View to drain thefe Royal Coffers of it's Trcafure, to be expended for the Support of their de- clining Colonies, without any real Regard to the Spanijb Prctcnfions. n. . I am, £j?f, BRISTOL. K>l m HI m C js ] Tranjlation of a Paper delivered by the Count de Fuentcs to //^ Earl of *' ' * '; \, Egremont, Dec. 21, 1761. MY Lord Briftol gave me, fome days fince, the inclofcd Memorial. He fets forth, in the firft Article, the Satista£Hon of his Court, in the King's Juftice, in ordering the Rertitutionof the Ship the Speedwell, Vind in the ' Moderation with which the Privateeer the King George has been treated : There is nothing to anfwer to this. His Majefty is very glad that his Reftitude and Moderation are acknowledged by the Britilh miniftry. My Lord Bri/iol fays, in the fecond Article, that having communicated to his Court, in a Difpatch in the month oT Sept ember h{[, agreeably to the Afluran- ces he had received, theKing'sInrention to<:ultivate a goodCorrefpondence with His Britannick Majefty ; he had been exprcfsly ordered to make known the real Pleafure which fuch a Declaration of the fentiments of our Court had occafioned. I do not remember any Thing, at thisTime, more particular, than on an infinite Number of other Occafions^ neither do I myfeJf comprehend the Motive for heightening this. It is very true, that, aft all Times, «ither in the Reign of the late King Don Ferdinand^ or in that of the prefent King, the Spanifh Minifters have always repeated the DeCre of their Court, to cultivate the raoft perfeft Correfpondence with that of Ltndon. My Lord Brifiol adds, in the fame Article, that he muft not omit to aflure, that no Orders has been fent for aug- menting the Fortifications of 6V^r?o/ ends, with an Article abfolutely foreign to our Affairs, by declaring, that the moft pcrfeft Unani.nity reigns in the Councils of Great Britain •, and that the King is relblved to pulh the War with all polTiblt Vigour, till His Enemies will liibmic to a Peace, fuitable to the Succefles of the Englijb Arms, and which may have a folid and durable Appearance. We have no Idea of anfwering diredliy to this Article : But the Two Con- ditions, which the Englijh defire in the Peace, clearly contradift themfelves, as all the World have jult feen. Every impartial Perfon will decide, that the Conditions which have been offered by France^ and rejected by England^ Were not difproportioned to the Advantages of the Englifh Arms \ and will attribute their IndumilTion to other Viev/s, wliich ought not to be indifferent to [40] to the other Maritime Powers, and who pDflefs Dominions beyond Sea; and will be aftonifhed to fee, that Eng/and, who wifhes for a Peace that appears folid and durable, is angry, however, at the InHnuation made to her by France ^ reprefenting to her, how beneficial it would be, to reconcile, at the fame Time, our Diflerences, in order to avoid the Danger oi recommencing a new War, for our Affiftance* My Lord Briftol demanded of us then, by another Memorial, if France had taken that Hep with the King's Confent ; as he now demands of us, if the Treaty with France exifts or not. We anfwered him fincerely, yes ( proving to him the JRegularicy of it : And we added, on that Occafion, to the Exprellions of that Court, on the good Correfpondence which they wilhed for, how much they were cfteemed j but that it was neceffary, that the Proofs of the Fad ihould accompany them ; and, as if fuch a Memorial had never been given on our Side, and entirely forgetting it, another is prefented to us, v'ith a new Demand, with the former general Exprefllons, and with fo un* expefted a Novelty, as tiie Offer to enter into a Negotiation, fo ftrongly diicuded, that it has been reduced, dxiring your EmbaiTy, to the lafl Yes, or to the laft No. When once you fliall be informed of all that I have juft fet fcrth, you may acquaint that Miniftry of it, either by Word of Mouth, or in Writing j in order that we may never be j-epr-oached, for not having anfwered my Lord Briftol* % Memorial -, and in order that they may perceive the Irre- gularity there is, that the King ftioiild always fatisfy their Curofity, and that his juft Demands ihould never be fatisfied. 7 .. . ' ' . ■ l.i J . >/ 1 1. Cofy of a Letter from the Earl of Egremont to the Earl of Brifld, dated December th£ 22d, 1761. .»< . /"i My LORD, I AM to acquaint your Excellency, that it is reported in the City, that Part of Admiral Holmes*^ Squadron has lately feized fome 5/>tf«^ Barks at Monte Chrifliy laden wiih Sugar, (^c. and has treated them as if they were Icga! Prize. Though this Intelligence is hitherto unfupported by any Information which our moft diligent Enquiries can coUtA at the Admiralty/ or dfewhere,yet I had the King's Permiflion to Ipeak of it to the Conde de tuentes, and to cxprcfs His Majefty*s Concern npon hearing it ; to which I added His Majefty's Aflurances, that thib Matter Ihall be moft ftriftly enquired into ; and, fhould the Faftsal- ledged prove true, not a Moment Ihall be loft in taking fuch Steps as, it is not doubted, wili iho>oughly latisfy his Catholick Majeftywith regard to the unju- flifiable and unauthorized ConduA of any of His Servants upon this Occafion; And tliat nothing mrght be omitted which could lead to a fpeedy and thorough , Knowledge [ 41 ] Knowledge of this Matter, the King has ordered a Ship of War to be imme- diately difpatched to the JVeJl-Indies, with Direftions, to make the ftrifteft Exa- mination into the Foundation for this Report, that fuch farther Steps may be taken as the Ca(e fliall appear to require.^ It is in order to prevent the malicious Ufe which might be made of this unlucky Accident, and to fhew His Majefty*s Readincfs to do the ftridcft Ju- ftice to the Catholick King, that I am direfted to tranfmit to your Excellency, without Lofs of Time, the real State of this Affair j not doubting but your Excellency, without any particular Dircdtions on this Head, will, at this cri- tical Conjunfture, let M. tVall fee, in a true Light, and in it's full Extent, that it is not more the invariable and fteady Principle of His Majefty*s Conduft towards the Crown of Spain, to fupport His own Dignity and the juft Rig' "s of His Subjefts, than it is, not only to redrefs a real Injury done to his Catho- lick Majefty*s Subjefts, but even to prevent a Complaint. I am, ^c. EGREMONT. I . / ' Cop^j of a Letter from the Earl of Br idol to the Earl of Egremo]it, dated Mixdix'idi, Dec, the ii^h, 1761. Received December the z^th. My LORD, ' ^ .. i THIS is the only Method I am allowed to take, to communicate to your Lordlhip my Intention of fetting out as foon as poflibie for Lisbon. I have obeyed the King's Commands. By the Paper marked (A), your Lordfhip fees the Subftancc of what was mentioned at my firlt Conference with General Wail] by that with the Letter (B), what pafled at our fecond Interview : Copies of both which Papers the Spanijh Miniftcr dcfired he might have. Thefe Con- ferences were the 6th and 8ch inftant. General IValU on the 10th at Night, fenr me two Letters, one an Office, Copy and Tranflation ot which are diitin- guifhed C and D ; the other by a private Letter in his own Hand. I had prepared feme very long Difpatchcs for y^- Lordfhip, relating ;.)] P.irticu- lars, but I was denied Pofl-horfes to fend d Melfenger, even to ask for PafT- ports from the Court of Porlugal ; and M. de L/ancs, who is juQ gone Ironi me, has -owntd, in the molt: poUte Terms, that I could not, by any Method, fend any Ptri'on whatever to any Part of ^pain, for I know I am lurroundcd with their S^'ics. I would, if it were poflibie tor me, let out immedir.tcly for the From iers of /-'th his Excellency ; wha told me, he did not doubr of it's giving as much Satisfadlion in England^ as it had met with Approbation a- broad, from the greatCandour and Modtration which was diiplayed through- out the whole. Your Lordftiip will, I flatter mvU If, do me the Juflice to believe, that my not difpatching an Anlwer to your important Difpatch of tne 2Sth paft,. does not proceed from any Dilatorii efs in me. 1 have irtquenily (een M. PVall, and have as often entered into Difcouric concerning what was to particularly recommended by your Lordlliip, yet the Spamjh Minifter has, hitherto, cauti- oully avoided difclofing the Seniimeius of this C<»urt •, aliedging, that he ex- pefted Ihortly to receive the Catholick King's Commands to acquaint me with the Kefolutions of Spain, relative to my Applications: / nd his Excellency alTured me, at our laft meeting, it would not be long before he (huuid enable me to fend home a mcflcnger. » Orders C 45 ] Orders have been tranfmitted to CW/z, for the fortifying of the Caraeca in that Neighbourhood. Two large Spanifh Ships of the Line arrived lately there, with Naval Stores, from the Coriinna, I am, i^c. BRISTOL. Tranflation afa Note delivered to the Earl of Egremont, by the Count de Fucntes. December 25th, 1761. THE Count de Pimtesy the Catholick King's AmbafTacIor to his Britannick M.ijefty, has juft received a Courier from his Court, by whom he is informed, that my Lord Brijiol, his B.itanntck Majefly's Ambaffador at the Court of Mad id^ has faid to his Exceliency Mr. fVu/l, Minillcr of Stue, That he had Orders to demand a pofitive and categorical Anfwer to this Qijeftion, viz. If Spain thinks of allyinzj herlelf with f ranee againft E>ig- land? and to declare, at the fame Time, thnt he fhould take a Refulal to his Demand for an Aggreflion and Declaration of War; and that he fliould, in confequence, be obliged to retire from the Court of Spain. 1 he above Minifter of State anfwered him. That fuch a Step could only be fugceftcd by the Spirit of Haughtinefs and of Difcord, which, for the Misfortune {of Mankind, ftill reigns but too much \n the Britijh Government ; That it was in that very Moment that the War was declared, and the King's Dignity violently attacked : That he might retire how and when he fliould think proper. The Count di Fuentes is, in confequence,. ordered to leave the Court and the Dominions o^ £■ gland \ and to declare to the Britilh King, to the Englijk Nation, and to tne whole Uiiiveric, That the Horrors into which the S/)^/y/7/5) and Engltfh Nations are going to plunge themlelves, nuifl: be attributed only to the Pride, and to the unmeafurablc Ambirion, of him who has held the Reins of the Government, and who appears dill to hold them, although by another Hand : That it his Catholick Majefty excufed hinifclf from anfwer- ing on the Treaty in Queiiion, between his Catholick Majefty, and hi. Mofl Chriliian Majefty, which is believed to have been (igncd ihe i^rh of ./a^?///, and wherein it is preended there are Conciirions relative to England, he ^ad very good Reafons ; Firft, The King's Dignity required him to manifefthis juft Kefentment ol the licilc Management, or to fpeak more proncrly, of the iniulting Manner, with which all the Affdrs o^ Spa-n have been treated dur- ing Mr. P/7/'s Adminiftration ; v/iio, finding himfelf convinced f the jullice which fupported the King in His iTe^cnrions, his ordinary and laft Ani\\\r was, That he would not relax in any Tuing, till the Tower of Londoti was t^kciv Sword in Hand. T> [ 4^ ] B^ficlcs l\is Majcfty was much (liocUed to hear tlie haughty and imperious Tone with which the Coiucins of the Treaty were demanded of him. If the Rch'tt clue to Royal M'j. lly, had been regarded, Explanations might have been hxl\ without any Difficulty ; T.,c Mini'lers of Spain mi^ht have faid frankly t) thofe of E'l^'UnJ, what the Count de Fuentes, by the Kmg s exprefs Order, declares publickly, viz. That tl,e faid Treaty is only a Convention between the Fatnily ot Bourb'M. wht rein there is nothing which has the leaft Relation to the prcfent W.u : That there is i.i it an Article for the mutual Guar.iPiy of the Dominions of the Two Sovereigns ; but it is fpcc.fied therem fUnrrhir Guanntvisnotto be underltood but of the Dammtons which (hall that tnat <-"^""^/^'f^^ ^ ^^^ ,,,„, War fhall be ended : That although his cXJick MnielW might have had Kealbn to think himfJt offended, by the ^ JuhSner^in which the Memorial was returned co M^. /?.#, Miniller oikance, which he had prefente 1, for terminating the Differences of 5/»^w A JT.nLnl at the iame Time with ibe War between this laft and France, 1 tf tevW diLbled ; and from an Effeft of his Love of Peace cauled a Memorial to be delivered to my Lord BfiM wherein it is evidently detiion- ftrated, that che Step of F.«.^, wh.ch put the Mm.fter P/// into fo bad Hu. mour. did not ai all offend cither the Laws of Neutiahty. or the Sincerity of he Two Sovereigns : Thatfurt-er, fr^m a trt-(h Proof of his pacific Spirit, the Km<^ of 5;>^/« wrote to the Kng of Frame, his Coufin, That if the Union oflnter^ft. in any Manner rttaraed the Peace with England, he confented to feparate himfelf from it, not to put any Obftacle to io great « Hap^^nefs^ But t was foon feen that this was only a Pretence, on the t^art of the £^>git/h Mi- nifter ' For That of Fra^ice, continuing his Negotiation, without making any Mention oispain, and propofing Conditions very ad vainageous and honour- able for E^and, the M.n.acr Pa:, to the great Aftonjftiment of he Univerfe^ reieaed them wkh Dildain ; and fhe^^ed. at the fame Time, his 111 will againft Siatft to the Scandal of the fame Bniift> Council •, and unfortunately he has fucceeded bat too far in his pernicious Defign. This Declaration made, the Count de Fuentes defires his Excellency, my Lord Egremont, to prefent his mod humble Refpefts to hr Brttanmck Ma,eay j and to obtain for him Paffports, and all other Facilities, for him, h.s h^^ily, 1 11 his Retinue to so out of the Domiruons of Great Batatn, without any Trouble, and to go by the Ihort Paffage of the Sea, which feparates the«i from the Continent. « 9 Copy C M J Cop) of a Letter from the Earl of Briftol to the Earl of E.5rcmont, ^ti/Ci/ Madrid, Dec. 7, 1761. Reccivad Dec, 2^, Mj LORD, 1 Received lafl Poft the Honour of your Lordfhip's Letter of the 17th of J\Iov. inclofing the Addrefs, prefentcd the preceding D ly to Hi? Male y, by the Hoiife of Commons, wherein the very warm and affectionate Af- furancesof their Zeal for the King's Service, and Rc'olutions to fupport His Majefty with the utmoft Vigour, in the Profccution of the War, were fbfaiif- faftorlly evident to all His MajeHy'g dutiful Servants, and Subjds. You can- not doubr, my Lord, of my having carried the Addrefs to Gen< rai fVali ; his Excellency read it over before me with Attention, and afterwards faid. That it was full of a right and proper Zeal •, at the lame Time, that it was truly du- tiful and affectionate i adding, that he was perfuaded, the King would always experience, from his molt faithful Commons, the like Sentiments, at which he fliould ever truly rejoice. The Patriarch of the Indies received laft Saturday the Cardinal's Cap fiom Rome, having been named to that Dignity by His Cathoiick Majefly : His E- minence is Brother to the Duke oi Medina Celt, and now is ftiled Cardinal de la Cerda. The Meflenger Fotter arrived here the 5th Inflant at Night, and brought me the Honour of your Lordfliip's Difpatches of the 19th palh I faw M. Wall the 6th in the Morning, who was confined to his Room, by an Accident that had happened to one of his Feet. We had a very long Conference upon the Sub- ie£t of your Lordfhip's Letiers •, and his Excellency has this Day wrote to ac- quaint me, with his Defire of my returning to him to-morrow Morning; fo that I expcft to be able to difpatch this Mcffenger to England in a few Days. am, ^c. BRISTOL. Tranjlation of the Aifwer delivered to the Count de Fucntes, ^y the E/ir I of Egremoni, Dec. 31, 1761. TH E Earl of Egremont, His Britannick Majefty's Secretary of State, hav- ing received from his Excellency the Count de Fucna, AmbafTador of the Cathoiick King at the Court of London, a Paper, in Wiiich, befides the Notification of his Recall, and the Demand of the neceffary Palfports to go out of the King's Dominions, he has thought proper to enter into what has juit C 48 ] jufl pafTcd between tlie t\\o Courts, with a view to make that q^ London appear i'. tlie Source of all the Misfurriines which may enfiic from the Rupture wnich lirjs happened. In order thwC no body may be miflod, by the Declaration which his Exccllcnry has been plcafed to make to the Kinf;, to the F«^///& Na- tion, and to tlie whole Univerfe ; notvvithllanding the Iniinuation, as void of I'oundation as of Decency, of ihc Spirit of Haiightincfs and of Dilcord, which his Excellency pretends reigns in the j5r/V//7j Government, to the Misfortune ot Mankind i and, norwithftanding the Irregularity and Indecency of appeal- ing to the En^/i/h Nation, as if it could be fep.irated from i:s King, for whom the mod determined Sentiments of Love, of Duty, and of Confidence, are engraved in the Hearts of all his Subjefts-, the laid Earl of E^remont^ by His Majelly*s Order, laying afide, in this Anlwer, all Spirit of Declamation, and of Harflinefs, avoiding every oflcnfive Word, which might hurt the Dignity of Sovereigns, without ilooping to Invccftives againll private Ptrfons, will confine himfelf to Fadls with the moft fcrupulous Exa£lnefs : And it is from this Re- prefentation ofFacls, that he appeals to all Europe^ and to the whole Univerfe, for the Purity of the King's Intentions, and f^r the Sincerity of the Wifhes His Majefty has not ecafed to make, as well as for the Moderation He has al- ways fliewed, though in vain, for the Maintenance of Friendlhip and good Un- derftanding, between the Btitijh and Spani/h Nations. The King having reciived undoubted Informations, That the Court of Madrid had fecrctly contradled Engagements with that oi Verjaillesy which the Minifters of France laboured to reprefent, in all the Courts of Europe, as offenfive to Great Britain -^ and combining thefe Appearances with the Step which the Court of Spain had, a little Time before, taken towards His Ma- jedy, in avowing it's Confent, (though that Avowal had been followed by Apologirs) to the Memorial prefeiited the 23d of July^ by the Sieur de Buffy, Miniftcr Plenipotentiary of the moft Chriftian King, to the King's Secretary of State i and His Majcdy having afterwards received Intelligence, fcarcc ad- mitting a Doubt, of Troops marching, and of military Preparations mak- ing in all the Ports of 50^/;;, judging that His Dignity, as well as His Pru- dence, required Him to order His Ambafllidur at the Court o^ Madrid, by a pifpatch dated the 28th ot Oihbcr, to demand, in^ Terms the mofl meafured, however, and the moft amicable, a Communication of ihe Treaty recently con- cluded between the Courts o^ Madrid awl\ Vcrfad'.es^ or, at leaft, of the Articles which might relate to the Intereft of GVr^/ iir//r?/;; i And, in order to avoid e- vcry thing which could be thought to imply ih- leali Slight of the Dignity, or even the Delicacy, of his Catholick Mnjcfty, the Earl (;f ^r/y/o/ was autho- rized to content himiclf with AlTurances, in cafe the Catholick King oiiered to give any, that the faid Eng;:gements did not contain any Thing that was contrary to the Friendfliip wliith fubfiiled bcrweei the Two Crowns, or that was prejuciiciiil to tlie Interefts qi Great Britain^ fuppofing tiiai any Diliiculty was made, of fhewing the Treaty. The King could not give a lei's equivocal Proof, of His Dependence on the good Faith of the Catholick King, than in fhewing A- t r 49 ] . fhcwing him an unbounded Confidence in i'o important an Affair, and vvhicii fo cffentially intercdcd His own Dignity, the Good of His Kingdoms, and the Happinefs of His People. How great then was the King's Surprize, when, inftead of receiving the juft Satistaftion which He had a Right to expeft. He learnt from His Ambaf- fador, that, having addreffed himfelr to the Miniftcr of ^^/« for that Purpofe, he could only draw from him a Rcfufal, to give a fatisfa£lory Anfwer to His Majefty's jull Rcquifitions, which he had accompanied with Terms that breathed nothing bur Haughtincfs, AtiimoHty, and Menace, and which feem- ed Co (Irongly to verify the Sufpicions of the unamicable Difpofiiion of the Court of Spain, that nothing lefs than His Majefty's Moderation, and His Refolution taken to make all the Efforts poffible, to avoid the Misfortunes infeparable from a Rupture, could determine Him to make a htt. Trial, by giving Orders to His Ambaffador, to addrefs himfelf to the Minifter ot Spain, to dcfire him to inform him of the Intentions of the Court oi Madrid t towards That of Great Britain, in this Conjundure, if they had taken Engagements, or formed the Defign to join the King's Enemies in the preftnt War, or to depart in any Manner from the Neutrality they had hitherto obfervcd j and to make That M'nifler fenfible, that, if they perfifted in refusing all Sa- tisfaftion, on Demands fo juft, (b neceffary, and ib intcrcfting, the King could not but Cvinfider fuch a Refufal as the molt authentic Avowal, that Spain had taken hfr Part, and that there only remained tor His Majefty to take the Meafures, which His Royal Prudence fhould didlate, for the Honour and Dig- nity of his Crown, and for the Profperiry and Protection of his People ; And to recal His Ambaffador. Unhappily for the publick Tranquillity, for the IntetLff of the Two Na- tions, and for the Good of Mankind, this laft Step was as fruitlefs as the preceding Ones ; Tt\c Sfam/h Miniflcr, keeping no further Meafures, anfwercd drily, " That it was in That very Moment, that the War was declared, and *' the King's Dignity attacked, and that the Earl oC Brijlol might retire, how, *' and when, he (hould think proper." And m order to f(?t in its true Light, the Declaration, " That, if the Rc- " fpedl due to his Catholick Mijerty had been regarded. Explanations might " have been had without any Difficulty; and that the Minifters of Spam " might have faid frankly, as M. de Fuentts, by the King's exprcls Order, dc- •* clares publickly, That the faid Treaty is only a Convention between the ** Family of Bourbon •, wherein there is nothing which has the Jeaft Relation ** to the prefent War ; and that the Guaranty, which is therein fpecified, is ** not to be underttood but of the Dominions which fliall remain to France af- «« ter the War." It is declared, that, very far from thinking of being wanting to the Refpeft acknowL'dged to be due to crowned Heads, the Inftru to convey the King's earned Defire to cultivate the clofeft Corre- fpondencc with his Catholick Majefty, could never be received, but with fincere Satisfaction, by the Court of Madrid \ yet, after my having been fo often direAed lo hold the fame Language, unaccompanied by any Proofs of thofe Difpofuions, it could not fecra extraordinary, if Spain ftill fought and prefied the Rcdrcfs of thofe Grievances which had been fo long depending, and which (he thought hcrfelf fo little advanced towards obtaining the Relief of. With regard to the Treaty lately concluded between the Catholick King, and his moll Chriftian Majefty, the Secretary of State faid, his Royal Ma- tter did not judge it to be confiftent with his Dignity, to grant cither the Communication of it, or to fatisfy the Briti/h Curiofity, in relation to any Articles which we imagined had a Relation to our Concerns ; yet his Excel- lency added, as from himfelf, he could give a pofitive Anfwcr to what I ask- ed with the uimoft Facility ; but here he broke off. After \ [ ^3 ] After fome Paufe, the Spafiijh Minifter refumcd his Difcourfc, hy ailctialiie, his Court had been flattered, by that o( Lcndon, with an impaulal DiJcuirion cf their Difputes from the Year 1754 \ therefore ii»e prcfcnt Promifc of (ntcrinf^ into a fair Din I fo eagerly follicited, it has no; been poffible for me to obtain any folemn Af- furances of the Innocency of the Treaty in Queftion, aliho' I am perfuaded in my own Mind, there are no unfriendly Intentions therein (to Great Britain) which * ii ,ij. ( . [56] which Aflurances your Lordfhip diredled me not to rejedb, in cafe they were propc)s*d, but to admit of them ad referendum, to be tranfmitted to my own Court; provided, ** They were given upon his Catholick Majcfty's Royal *' Word, fignified in Writing, either by the .S/tf«^ Secretary or State to me, " or by the Conde de Fuentes to your Lordfhip, and not otherwife." In lieu whereof, I have only procured the Copy of General fFiali's Difpatch to the Con e de Fuemes: Your Lordlhip will there obferve, that, in confequence of my repeated Inftances, the Spani/b Minifter has directed M. de Fuentes to give an Anfwer to my Notes, to the King's Secretary of State, by Word of Mouth or in Writing if it was nece(Tary: fmce I could not compals all I was diredec .0 require, at lealt it will not, I hope, be thought, that I have been remifs in the Performance of my Duty, after your Lordfliip recollects, the Spa* nijh Ambaflador had exprefled his Wilhes to have the Buflnefs conveyed thro* another Channel, rather than by himfclf, that, notwirhftanding fuch a Re- Judlance in his Excellency to enter into this Affair, he receives Orders from his Court, to explain the Sentiments of Spain in Writing. Would thofe Sentiments had been more explicit, and more fatisfaftorily conformable to the Purport of my Inftruftions. If your Lordlhip has taken the Trouble of looking over fome of my Let- ters to Mr. Pitt, you will have fcen the Motives I frequently had for deliver* ing to the Spanifh Minifter written Notes, of what paued when our Meetings were long, and upon delicate or interefting Subje<5ls, which I chofe doing in that Manner for greater Precifion, befides having fo great a Certainty of the Caiholick King's being minutely acquainted with every Argument I had made ufe of, to enforce the Validity of our Caufe, at the fame Time, that it was an Afliftance to General fVaii*s Memory, which his Excellency repeatedly told me, He did nor chufe to confide in, without fome Memorandums in Writing. The Paper mark*d (A), is what I put into General Ff^alPs Hands, accord- ing to my former Cuftom, which is an Abftraft of the moft effential Parts of your Lordfhip*s moft fecret Letter, and a fummary Account of all 1 expa- tiated upon, more at large, in our feveral Conferences. The Two Inclofures, diftinguiflied by the Letters B and C, are the Copy and Tranflation of M. VVair-i private Difpatch to the Conde de Fuentes, which is a Precis of all the Spamjh Secretary of State allcdged, either to confute my Reafonings, or to fupport his own AlTertions. 1 could not deny myfelfthcSatisfaftion, of reading to General /if'^///, by far the greater Part of your Lord ftiip's moft fecret Difpatch; this Mark of Confidencel have frequently obfervcd towards rhe Spanijh Minifter, when I have been left at Liberty with regard to the Mode of communicating any of my Orders, and,in the prefcnt Conjuniiure, it would have been ill timed in me to have withdrawn from his Excellency that Proofof my Truft in him, moreefpecially as your Lordlhip had ad viled me moft cautioufly to avoid any Mark ofoffcnfive Dif^dencejbefides, I thought it could only do Honour to your Lordfliip's Sentiments and Stile, to point out to the Spanijh Secretary of State, the conciliating Directions which you . [57] you had enjolfied me to put in Piaftice, whilft I was urging any matters, as you recomTiended thfir beingdone in the moft polite and friendly Terms, as well as my infinuating gently thofe Arguments, which were fuggelled to mc to advance. I am, t^c. BRISTOL. tranjlation of a Paper delivered the i ^th Nov. 1 76 1 . ( A . ) TH E King has learned, with particular Satisfaftion, the Tufticc of his Catholick majefty, in giving Orders for the Reftitution of the Ship the Speedweil\ and his Majrfty is equally fenfibleof the Moderation, wich which the Privateer the King George has been treated : The Count de Fuentes having given a Memorial, complaining of the Behaviour of the faid Privateer, the moft exaft Enquiries are to be immediately begun, and, as loon as the Fafts are proved, a fuitable Satisfaction, agreeable to :>ur Laws, will be given to the Court of Spain. Having communicated to the Secretary ofState,in aDifpatch of the Month o^ September X^'ii (agreeable to theAlTurances I had then received) his Catholick Majefty's Intention to cultivate a good Correfpondence with the King; I have been ex^refsly ordered to teftify the real Pleafure, which fuch a Declaration, of the Senriments of this Court, has occafioned : And I muft not omit to af- fure, that no Order has been fent for augmenting the Fortifications of Gib- raltar, contequsntly they have only been working there on the ufual Repairs. His Majefty having nothing more at Heart, than to maintain and ftrengthen the moft cordial, and the moft fincere Friendftiip with the Catholick King, does not doubt of meeting with the fame Difpofitions as his, on the Part of Spain\ For there is nothing more evident, than the mutual Advantage which muft, at all Times, refultto the two Kingdoms by fuch a Reciprocity. After this Declaration, it is not furprizing, that the Court of London defires and demands, of the Spanijh Minifters, a communication of the Treaty lately concluded between their Catholick and moftChr^ian Majcfties-, or that they would impart the Articles which may be thought relative now, or in future, dircftly, or lefs immediately, to thelnterefts o^ Great Britain. Thefc 7nftances do not proceed from any difadvantageous Sufpicion of the Aflurances of Friendftiip, fo often repeated by Spain to the Court oi London \ They only tend to obtain fome Explanation, with regard to the Language which the King's Enemies have affefted to hold 5 namely, that Spain wj»s on the Point of taking Part in the prefent War, by joining France againft England. Such are the Reports which have made fo rapid a Progrefs in all Europe ; and the King's Honour is concerned in putting a Stop to them, as far as thelnterefts of H his . . . [58] his People require clisir being contradided ; without which, How can his Ma- jcfty perfuade himfelf to enter into a Negotiation with Spain, for accommodat- ing the Differences which have unhappily fubfifted, for to long lime, between the two Courts ? The Catholick King is informed of all the Alliances and Engagements o^ Great Britain \ and it would he an unfriendly Refcrvc, ar this Conjundlurc, not to comply with giving his Majefly this batisfatftion on the Contents of a Treaty, fo recently figned with a Powtr adually at War with the King ; and efpeciaily, when Frame does not ceal'e to give out, that the Conditions of this new Engagement tend towards Hodilities which Spain will, very foon, manifdt ag.iinll theBrti/h Nation. This Obllacle once removed, his Majefty is determined, without Lofs of Time, to enter into an amicable DilcuHion of the iMatters, which make the Subject of the Difputes of theTwo Crowns ; not at all doubting, but that they may be eafily adjulted ; and being convinced, that a reciprocal and extenfive Confidence wdl not fail to fugged Expedients, for favmg the Dignity, and the Honour, of the Two Kings, and for adjulting, to the reciprocal Satisfafti- on of their MajrUies, every Thing that has, till now, retarded that folid and permanent H irmony, which has always been the Objc ."llency a Copy of the Paper here- in clofed, marked (A) which he .^romifed fiiould be literally tranflatcd into Spa- nifit before it was prelented to the King of Spain. You will, perhaps, my Lord, be furpiiled to find, 1 nave, in this Vifit, only dwelt in general Terms, concerning the Intention of Spain., with regard to Efipla'rid : 1 beg of you to fufoend forming any Judgment about my Condud therein, till I have expliined my Motive for acting in that Manner. I perceived General fyaii*s Tone to be of fb conciliating a Nature j he expref- fed his Wifhes fo ftrongly, that fome Method might be found out for an ami- cable Adjuftment of our Differences; and was fo far from dropping the Icaft "Word, that couM make me imagine Spain intended to aft nortilely againft us, that I began ro tluter myfelf, I might obtain the categorical Ani'wer 1 was ordered to demand, without the Spani/h Minifier's fufpefting my ultimate Oi- ders. When I was going out of his Room, he took me by the Hand, and faid with a Smile, he hoped j but there he ftopped. I asked him what he hoped, mat 1 might alfo hope, and that all might concur in the fame Hopes : But his Excellency only then bowed, aiS took his Leave of mc. Your ♦«.. t ^4 ] Your Lordfliip will, no doubt, have remarked, that, from the Time of P^/. ter'^s Departure with my Difpatches of the 2d pad, the Stile of the Spanijb Minirter has been foftening gradually. What had occafioned the great Fer- mentation during that Period at this Court, the Effefts of which, I felt trom General fVftU\ animated Difcourfc at the Efcurial, was, the Notice having, about that Time, reached the Catholick King, that the Change which had happened in the Etj^/ifb Ad mini ft ration, was relative to Mcafures prop^jfed to be taken againft this Ct)untry : Hence arofe that fudden Wrath and Faffion, which, for a fhort Time, affected the whole Spavifb Court ; as it was thought mod extraordinary here, that the declaring War againft the Carholick King, Ihould ever have been moved in His Majefty's Councils, fince the Spaniards have always looked upon ihemfelves as the aggrieved Party ; and, of courfe, never could imagine, that the Englijh would be the Firft to begin a War with them. Dec. 9. I recei/ed, late in the Evening of the 7th, a Note from M. fFafl^ defiring me to return to him on the next Morning, the 8th ; which I pun(5lually com- plied with. His ExcelK ncy faid, he had not been able to ftir out •, but, hav- ing received his Catholick IVIajefty^s Commands in relarion to our Conference on the 6th, he would not delay communicating them to me. They conlifted in the King of Spain's being fenfible of all the AfTurances of Friendftiip, and Marks of Attention, which had been conveved through my Means : But I was to be informed. That, with regard to the Treaty, and the Intentions of Sfain^ M. lVall\^ DifpUch to the Count of Fittntes, (Copy of which had been deliver- ed to me) was the only Anfwer the Catholick King judged it expedient to give, I prefTcd the S auijb Miniftcr to open himfcif more fully upon this moft im- portant Subjc'ii ; as I thought it impoffible fo concife an Anfwer could be gi- ven to all I had urged to his Excellency. Unfortunately, General Wall had not been able to fee his Catholick Ma- jefty *, and, therefore, having only wrote, and received a written Anfwer, that accounted, in fome Meafure, for it's being fo Laconick. I then reminded the Spanifb Minifter of the prelfing Endeavours I had em- ployed at our laft Meeting, to obtain a fatisfaftory Anfwer j alledging, that, as 1 had not been able to obtain a Communication of the Treaty, nor the Al- ternative which 1 had propofcd, I was now ncceftitared to come to a more par- ticiiflar Explanation of what I had mentioned in general concerning Spain*s In- tention with regard to Great Britain \ therefore I was commanded to declare to his Excellrncy, that my Court expelled to have a categorical Anfwer to the following Qiieftions ; Whether the Catholick King intended to join the French^ our Enemies, or propofed afting hoftilefy ? or would, in any Manner, dc part from his Neutrality ? adding, That.Vptf/Vs refufing to comply with giving this Satisfaftion, would be deemed an Aggrefllon on the Fart of the Court of A/a- drid^ and a Declaration of War. I cannot C t that your Excellency communi. K. p^-rmUted me to ^. ^y - ^.XnCg myWotion) .o give an A^'lo the King my Maftir. of the Uii (^ueltioBS wh.ch you have been ^^^^^^^^^0^:11 by Woriof M.uth. the Eftee« and ReTpea with wmca I am perfeftly. My LO R D, Your Excellency's moft obedient, and moft humble Servant^ W ALL. r« C «9 ] To General Wall, Madild, Dec. to, 176 1. Eleven o*clock at Night. (4) Tranjlation. SIR. I Have juft received your Excellency's Letter, dated to-day, with that which was therewith inclofed. No one can be more Icnfibk- than I am of the Sentiments with which his Catholick Majefty honours me. Receive, Sir, my Acknowledgment for thofe which you exprefsfor me. I defire your Excellen- cy to caufe the Catholick King's Paffports to be prepared for me, in order that I may take the Route of /*^r/«f would be looked upon by His Mijeily as an Aggreffion on the Part of Spatn^ and an ablolute Declaration of War) without, at leaft, ncit denying what would be the Confequence of Spain's not g»ving the Anfwer required ; I mtan my withdrawing mylclf from hence; I had Realbn ro apprehend, that, had I waited to m4ke known that Refolution till after General ff^a// had feca his Catholick Majefty, 1 might have received an Order to go away from hence ; whereas, now it is known I had been firft commanded by my own Court to take that Step. I am, Off. BRISTOL. C 70 ] C;/)y of a Letter from the Earl <7/'Briflol to the Earl o/*Egrcmonr, dated Madrid, December 11, 1761, Separate and Secret, Received January 9, 1762. .^ - My LORD, ' .' ' . . IN Obedience to the King's Commands, I took the earliefc Opportunity, after Patterns Arrival, of writing to Sir Charles Saunders^ to Major General Parjlow at Gibraltar, and to ail His Majefty*s Confuls in Spain, as well as to Mr. Hay, that he might give the fame Notice, to thofj who are in Portugal, in order, that every one might put hirafclf, and His Majelty's Trading Sub- - je£ls, properly on their Guard, on account of the critical Situation, in which our Court then flood witli regard to Spain. I have in vain asked Leave, to difpatch a Meflcnger for Lhlon, to obtain PafTports from the Court of /'(?r/«^tf/ for myfelf, as was prafliled by Sir Benja*- min Keengf for his Journey, when he left Madrid m the Year 1739. The Or- der for Port Horfes has been refufed me i otherwife, I had prepared the fevc- ral Letters his Majcfty had comm.mded me to write to Commodore Keppel^ to Sir Charles Saunders, and Major General Parjlow. My Houfe is fo furrounded with Spies -, 1 am fo much watched myfelf; and fuch Itrift Ordtrsare given to ftop every one going from Madrid \ that even if a Perfon would confent to go on this Errand, I could not trufl him \ yet, I hope, a Method 1 have caufed to be taken will convey the Intelligence to Gibraltar, and from thence it may foon reach Sir Charles Saunders. It is not in my Power, nor could it be for the Service of His Majefly, for me to let out fo foon as I wilh to do, in Obedience to the King's Orders ; I am, and have been for fome Time, fo much out of Order with a Return of my former Pains, that, were I to begin my Journey immediately, I (hould be confined in my Bed, in fome Village near Madrid, without a Poiilbiiity of con- tinuing my Rout ; therefore, as my Conftitution has already fuffered fo much by this Climate, I hope the King's Clemency will pardon my not cnoangering it. As foon as it is pofTible, I will not delay my Departure, for which I am fo very impatient. I fhall not venture fending away this large Packet, of my fevcral different dated Difpatches, till I am out of the Spani/h Dominions, lefl any Accident Ihould happen to the Bearer of them ; but, I (hail diredly caufe them to be fcaled^up, fo that they will be ready to be forwarded at ail Times. I am fcff. BRISTOL. Copy i c 71 i Cop) of a Letter from the Earl o/Briftol to the Earl o/EgrcmoHt, dated Elvas in Portugal, Dec. 26, 1761. Received January 9th, 1762. My LORD, T Left iW^^r/^ as foon as it was poffible for me to get together what was A neceOary for a Journey in Spain, which is fo unlike every other Counirv in Europe ^OT Travelling. I received General mh'% final Anfwer the i oth In- llant, at Eleven o Clock at N.ght ; and I fet out in the Morning of the 17th with a Fever upon n^e. which I had had at lead Ten Days ; but, as the Pains in my Stomach had diminifhed, I determined to begin my Journey, Jet what would be the Confcquence of it. ^ j ^ j T ^^f 'J^lf''^ Minifter rcfufed letting me have an Order for Poft-horfes, till I reached Badajox, the iaft Town in Spain ; although I asked for it, to fend a MefTenger to Usbon, for PalTports from his moft Faithful Maiefty, thatlmiehc not be dctamed upon the Frontiers of Portugal, I now deliver to the Medenger Ardoum, ihofe Difpatches I was preparing to lend your Lordfhip, even before the Arrival of Potter^ as well as the Letters, which contain the full Account of the prefent Rupture between Great Britain and Spam ; and I iliall write to Mr. Uay^ to caufe a Packet-boat to fail direft- Jy with the Meflenger, as foon as he reaches Usbon. lam, ^c. BRISTOL.. FINIS. f