§ No. 1.—Extract of a Dispatch from. J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 10th June 1803,recd.3lst July.—It is possible that the inclosed intelligence may have already reached you through lord R. Fitzgerald. On questioning the prince of peace, he declared that the king had made repeated instances to be informed of the assemblage of such a body of troops, but that no explanation had been obtained. This certainly does not appear very probable; but it is a fact, that this govt, are treated with great neglect on the subject of Portugal, and are kept in the dark as to the object of the correspondence which has been passing with such activity between generals Bournonville and Lannes. M. Cevallos, when I mentioned to him the intelligence which I had received, said that he had received the same, but that later intelligence had persuaded him that the assemblage would not be so great or so immediate; and I yesterday received a report agreeing with this latter opinion.
§ (Translation of Inclosure in No. 1.)—Extract of Intelligence from Bayonne, dated 172 30th May. I have already mentioned to you the arrival of some troops at this place; two other brigades are expected the 13 Floreal, (2d June), the 77th and the 24th. There will be, independently of the two divisions of 25,000 men each, intended for the conquest of Portugal, a body of reserve of 12,000. The camp is already marked out at Bidard, (a league and a half from hence). I believe I have already told you that one of these divisions will march by Perpignan, and the other by Bayonne:, 37,000. men are therefore expected here; but as I have just said, the 12,000 of reserve only will remain. The army will afterwards march into Spain. The command of it is provisionally given to gen, Cara St. Cyr, a relation, I fancy, of him who was ambassador at Madrid. Gen. La Marque is intrusted with the organization of these troops.—8th June. There is for the present nothing new, or at least very, interesting. The arrival of some battalions, and of a regiment of Chasseurs cavalry; the 24th, that which in the last war served the campaign of Portugal; they are tolerably well mounted, but badly equipped, or rather badly clothed; We are now assured, that the army which is coming here will not exceed 5 or 6,000 men, although it is 'still reported that it will be augmented to 40,000. I believe it, for I do not see that the govt, has so large a disposable force.
§ No. 2.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 6th July 1803, reed. 3d Aug,—I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Idp.'s dispatch of the 2d ult, and I have great satisfaction in reflecting that the last which your ldp. will have received from me will shew that I have been fortunate enough to conform my conduct to the general spirit and tendency of the instructions which your Idp. had laid down for my guidance. The present state of things is one which it is not very easy to define. The prince of peace has not yet thought proper to commit himself by any distinct proposals upon the subject of obtaining a guarantee for that neutrality which this country professes itself to have adopted; at the same time there is an evident increase in the ill humour of the French ambassador, and some serious altercations have passed between him and the prince of peace, Upon my making some enquiries upon the subject of the French rassemblement at Bayonne, upon which, he had before demanded an explanation of the French ambassa- 173 dor, as mentioned in my letter of the 10th ult. he told me that he at last declared to him that if an army was collected there; he should establish a superior force in camp opposite to them. Some few days since gen. Bournonville declared that the French army was dispersed into cantonments, and the orders for joining it countermanded, and insisted against the establishment of a Spanish camp. The prince of peace, however, told him that it could still be adhered to as a measure of precaution, he has said likewise that if the French attempted to force a passage he would raise an army, and that the king would put himself at the head of it to oppose them. When I last called upon him, after the receipt of your ldp.'s dispatch, I told him, that though I had already explained to him the intentions of his maj. respecting Portugal, yet that I had received such positive instructions from your ldp. upon the subject, that I could not forbear repeating the same declaration in a more formal manner. To this he answered, that he believed that the differences between France and Portugal were in a train of being settled, but that this country would still continue its preparations, and that he had given orders for 12 regiments of militia to be assembled, to form part of a camp in Castile.—It should seem singular, and even suspicious, that while language of this kind is passing, no positive declaration should be made to G. Brit, nor any distinct statement made of the means which might be necessary, and which they might expect G. Brit, to contribute in vindication of their neutrality, if attempted to be violated. It is, however, remarkable, that many Spaniards with whom I have conversed, and who were ardently desirous of an alliance against France, have never seemed to look for any assistance from England beyond her co-operation; and the various symptoms of ill-humour on the part of the French minister are evidently real and unaffected; at the same time the attentions of their majesties are marked to the Portuguese minister, and myself, in a manner which has excited general observation.—The king has been much irritated, in addition to the former provocations from France, by the violence which has been offered to the independence and neutrality of Tuscany; and both their majesties have been sincerely and deeply affected by the death of the king of Etruria.—The disposition of the people has been always favourable to England, and bas been 174 much more so of late; and even among those classes whose politics are not so spirited or so generous as those of the mob, there is a great disposition to take part decidedly with us, and this is only checked by the apprehension of our being perfectly cut off from continental alliances, and that therefore the whole brunt of the war would fall on Spain. The common people are persuaded that there is a secret understanding with England, and that when Spain is completely armed, the two powers are to fall jointly upon France; they add several particulars of the supposed treaty, and are universally delighted with the prospect.
§ No. 3.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frerc, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 7th July 1803, recd. 3d Aug—Before I had finished the preceding dispatch, I was called away to the usual audience which M. Cevallos gives to foreign ministers on Wednesday night. I then learned that intelligence had arrived of his maj.'s govt, having accepted the mediation of the emperor of Russia. M. Cevallos communicated the intelligence to me. He expressed his wish for general tranquillity; that it was above all things his maj.'s desire to preserve a good understanding and harmony with England; that war was no advantage to any power, though it might serve to enrich our sailors; that commerce was the true interest of the two nations. I replied, that the sentiments of England were the same; and that his maj.'s govt, had given a fair proof of them in abstaining from the detention of the Spanish vessels at a moment so critical as that of the arrival of all their specie, and under circumstances which would have perfectly justified such a measure; but that his maj. wished rather to trust to the honour and generous feelings of his Cath. maj. persuaded that whatever appeared ambiguous or doubtful, was the effect of circumstances, and not of any unfriendly inclination. He answered with more feeling and openness than I expected, that his Cath. maj. was fully sensible of the confidence and generosity of his maj. and desirous of cultivating the best understanding with his govt.—Upon the whole, considering the disposition at present existing here, I cannot but consider it as extremely favourable, at the same time that it will require great attention and management to maintain it for any length of time upon its present footing.—It is to be considered that a degree of irritation equal to what exists at present has existed on 175 former occasions, but has as often subsided; and the govt, for want of encouragement or opportunity, and the absence of immediate provocation have again relapsed to their old habit of acquiescence. The degree of provocation which has been given in the present instance, and accumulated in so short a space of time as the affair of Louisiana, Etruria, and Naples, is not likely to recur again. The feeling of resentment against France; therefore, will probably grow weaker, and the present disposition be materially altered, unless it is kept up tin the part of England by marked and particular attention to this court and its minister.
§ NO. 4.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frefe, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 21st July 1803, recd, 28th Aug.—My Lord; I take advantage of a private conveyance, to inform your ldp. of the little Which has occurred since the date of my last. In an interview which I had some few days ago with the prince of peace, I returned to the subject of the situation in which this country stood. He told me that it was his Cath. maj.'s intention to offer his mediation, and that the offer would be made in the form of a letter to his maj. I answered with expressions of great respect for the mediation of this court, and satisfaction at the form in which it was intended to be proposed; but suggested the propriety of departing from their usual system of gaining time, and endeavouring, on the contrary, to hasten this step, so that it might be connected with the mediation of Russia. I did not, however, find him disposed to agree with me in my opinion upon this point; on the contrary, he said, that the chief object of this measure was to gain time.—I ought to mention to your ldp. a circumstance which I cannot well account for. The prince of peace has repeatedly; declared, that though some overtures have been made by the French govt, upon the subject of the contingent, yet that no distinct demand has been made.
§ No. 5.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. M. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 5th Aug. 1803, recd. 12th Sep.—I take advantage of a courier whom Mr. Frere is now dispatching, to inform your ldp. of the subject of a very important conversation which I had this morning with the Prince of Peace; and which amounted in substance to a declaration, that the demands and menaces of France had become so urgent, as to leave them no alternative 176 between immediate compliance and a declaration of war. He endeavoured to shew me that they had made every proposition which could be thought of, to avert such an extremity; that they had even proposed to estimate the full expenee of the contingent which was demanded of them by France, and to pay it to that govt, as the price of their neutrality. This had been refused, and a demand made in return, of 24 millions per month. To this outrageous proposal an answer has been returned, that, all things considered, it would be more practicable and less ruinous to abide by the terms of the treaty, and to furnish the contingent. He then applied himself to prove to me, that if they were forced to a measure of this kind, and to a nominal declaration of war against G. Brit. it ought not to make any difference in the relations between the two countries, or in the good understanding between them. To this I answered, that I was sorry I could not give the kind of answer which he might expect; that it was my duty to be frank with him; and that, without giving any opinion of my own on the propriety of continuing the system of forbearance, which in the two last wars had been used with respect to Spain, it was not in my power to flatter him with a prospect of its continuance: that as nothing had been gained by so long a perseverance in this system, it was natural to expect that it would be renounced by G. Brit.—Having your ldp.'s last instructions upon the subject of the contingent present to my mind, I did not enter further into the discussion, though I was persuaded that what I did venture to say produced a strong impression, and will incline the prince to use every possible endeavour, as he assured me that he would do, to divert the French govt, from the pursuit of their present demands.
§ No. 6.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 15th Aug. 1503. recd. 20th Sep.—I take advantage of the passage of a courier from M. Souza at Paris, whom Mr. Frere has detained for a few hours. Two days after the date of my last I called upon the prince of peace, in order to take leave of him before he set off for St. Ildefonso. I found him in a temper and toner so different from that of our last conference, that I ventured to ask him what could have passed to have made such jut. alteration in so short an interval? He 177 said that the day before he had had al long conversation with the French ambassador, and that he had spoken to him in a tone which had had its weight. It is certain that this conference had been a very long and a very warm one; and the ambassador came away with evident marks of discontent and ill humour. It is certain that, since this conversation and the arrival of some couriers who were supposed to bring very important dispatches, he has very much changed his tone, and has even said to several persons, who he intended should repeat his conversation to me, that he was sorry that the English minister appeared to give himself so much uneasiness; that in fact there was no ground for it; and that there was not any disposition on the part of France to make Spain a party in the war.—The present report which I have not the means to verify before the departure of the courier, but which comes to me from good authority, is, that the French govt, have successively reduced their demand to 100 million of rials, or 1 million sterling, and since to 72 million; and that the present offer of the Spanish govt, is 60 million; or £ 600,000 to be paid as an annual subsidy in lieu of their contingent.
§ No. 7.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Escurial, 9th Oct. 1803, recd. 9th Nov.—I have to announce to your Idp. the conclusion of the negotiation between this country and France, agreeably to the conjecture which I stated in my last report to your ldp. upon the subject; namely, that for the present moment, the difference would be patched up with money; and that it can only be for the present moment. Your ldp. will easily conceive from the exorbitance of the sum, which is no less than 6 millions of lives a month; a sacrifice beyond the ability of Spain to furnish, and, as I have distinctly explained to the prince of peace, far exceeding the limits of any thing but a mere temporary connivance on the part of England.—On the 3d inst. M. Herman arrived from Paris, and the same evening had a conference with the prince of peace at this Sitio. The next day, there was a second conference; at which M. Cevallos was present. And on the following day, the prince of peace sent to acquaint me that every thing was settled; that they had made every sacrifice to preserve their neutrality; and that they had finally consented to pay 6' millions of livres a month. 178 —The terms, it seems, which M. Herman had been instructed to' demand, included the payment of arrears pretended to be due since the beginning of the war, at this same rate, together with a payment in advance, the amount of which I could not learn. The result of these conferences was, to reduce them simply to the monthly payment of 6 millions of livres. Upon M. Herman's return to Madrid, Gen. Bournonville set off himself for Sitio. He had two successive conferences with the prince of peace; which terminated in obtaining some further addition to the terms which, had been extorted by M. Herman, the exact nature of which I have not yet been able to learn. When I pressed the prince of peace upon the subject of the treaty, he said that there was nothing but an additional article about the transit of French woollens to Portugal. I then asked what security was obtained for that country; he said that was settled; Portugal was to pay a million of livres a month; that the demand upon Spain was extravagant in comparison; and that had been made so, he believed, with a view of a future ground ofquarre1,. in case they should find themselves unable to fulfil the engagements which they had been forced to enter into. He said, however, that orders had been sent to M. Azara to sign a treaty; and that they should think no price too great for the maintenance of their neutrality; and he added something which implied a presumption that such a neutrality might continue through the war. I interrupted, and reminded him of what I had said on a former occasion on the same subject, that I thought it possible that G. Brit, might connive at a trifling sacrifice, such as that which was exacted from Portugal, or even at the present, if considered merely as a temporary measure, and intended to give time till the disposition of the great powers of Europe should be more decidedly known, and till those powers themselves should be acquainted with the circumstances and situation of this country. He asked, How was it possible for Spain to act otherwise? That their conduct was the effect of their weakness, and not of any real hostility to England. I admitted it; but added, that the effects were the same: that a subsidy, such as they were about to grant, was a much greater injury to the interests of England than any that could be apprehended from their hostility. He admitted this; but pleaded the utter impossibility 179 of resistance, and the necessity of submitting so demands which were backed by such a force. I said, that I hoped that these considerations would induce England to forbear for a time, and that I would most earnestly recommend it to him to look to something beyond the present, which could serve as nothing but a tempory expedient.
§ No. 8.—Extract of Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Escurial, 9th Oct. 1803, recd. 9th Nov.—I have reserved for a separate dispatch some particulars which may perhaps appear interesting to your ldp. with, a view to forming a judgment respecting the measures to be pursued by G. Brit, in consequence of those which have been adopted by this court in their present emergency; and I mention them the rather as they may perhaps appear necessary to justify my remaining here, which I have determined to do till such time as I shall receive instructions from home. Your ldp. may rest assured that the compliance of the Spanish govt, is the effect of fear and constraint; and that fear is nothing less than the apprehension, by no means an exaggerated one, of seeing a French army at Madrid, before there could be any possibility of their receiving support or assistance from abroad. Under these circumstances, and knowing the character of this govt, it will not appear extraordinary to your ldp. that they should have preferred a remote danger to one which was pressing and immediate. At the same time I can venture to say, that there never was a time in which the Brit. govt, or the Brit, nation were more popular here; not only with the country in general, but with the court, with the person in power, and with the royal family; and it is but doing them justice to say, that the liberality and generosity of his maj.'s conduct has been felt in the manner it ought; while, on the other hand, the disgust which, has been created by the brutrality and insolence of the French, has risen to such a pitch as to break through all disguise.
§ No. 9—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Escurial, 11th Oct. 1303, recd. 9th Nov.—After having written the two preceding dispatches, I determined once more to call upon the prince of peace, in order to learn from him, if possible, something further respecting the additional terms insisted upon by gen. Bournonville. He told me 180 that our conference must be as short as possible; that he had only, to tell me, that he had not yet signed any thing, and that most probably he should not; but that all depended upon the disposition of Portugal, and upon the answer which he might get from Mr. Frere when he should see him the next day. I asked him what the additional terms were? He answered that they were wholly inadmissible; that they demanded, "l'eloignement des troupes et le passage." I said, the passage through Spain to Portugal? he answered, "le passage partout—enlin la dispersion de nos troupes—dans nos ports—partout."—I reminded him of the declaration which the Portuguese govt, had given, that they considered the Pyreneans as the common frontier which protected the two countries; and I assured him that England would not suffer Portugal to shrink from this declaration in a case like this, which undoubtedly involved the two countries in a common danger.
§ No. 10.—Extract of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 7th Dec. 1803, recd. 30th Dec.—Since the date of my last the events of this court have proceeded in the channel to which they seemed naturally tending; and the ratification of the treaty has taken place. It has been agreed that of the 6 millions which were stipulated to be paid monthly,2 are to be set apart for the reimbursement of the Spanish claimants upon the French govt, and are consequently to be kept by this govt, in order that they themselves may satisfy the demands of their own subjects. Since the arrival of the ratification a new claim has however been set up, for the payment of arrears amounting to about a million stg. and which are pretended to be due since the beginning of the war. As yet no payment has been made either upon this account or that of the monthly subsidy.
§ No. 11 —Copy of a Dispatch from Ld. Hawkesbury to J. H. Frere, Esq. dated Downing-Street, 21st Jan. 1804.—Sir; His maj.'s govt, having received frequent complaints from several commanders of his maj.'s ships of war, of the unfriendly treatment to which they are exposed in the ports of Spain, (more especially in that of Ferrol,) and of the refusal which they have experienced in many instances of permission to purchase in those ports provisions, and other necessaries for the use of the respective ships of war under the command of those officers, I have to signify 181 to you his maj.'s pleasure, that you make the most forcible representations upon this subject to the Spanish ministers; and that you state to them his maj.'s just expectation, that the commanders of his ships of war shall have full liberty to purchase in the ports of Spain provisions, and any other necessary articles of which they maybe in want; and, generally, that they maybe treated precisely in the same manner as the commanders of the ships of war of the French repub. or of any other country which may be at peace with his Catholic maj. I am, &c. HAWKESBURY.
§ No. 12 —Copy of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 3d March, 1804; recd. 29th.—My lord; The inclosed note upon the subject of the armaments supposed to be destined to sail from Ferrol, was dispatched by messenger to sir E. Pellew before I thought it advisable to mention the subject of it to the govt. On my speaking of it to the prince of peace, he positively denied any such intention, which saved me from the necessity of informing him of the step which I had taken.—It has been mentioned to no one except to the American minister, who had been greatly alarmed, conceiving that the armament was destined to oppose the occupation of Louisiana. The troops still remain in Gallicia, but all idea of their being destined to foreign service seems now at an end.—The American minister has received a note, in which the claim of his govt, to Louisiana is formally recognized. The only remaining difference is with respect to its limits, which have been construed to comprehend West Florida. J. H. FRERE.
§ (Inclosure in No. 12.)—Copy of a Letter from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Sir E. Pellew, dated Madrid, 28th Jan. 1804.—Sir; It appears that this court have it in contemplation to send out a considerable expedition from the port of. Ferrol, consisting, at the lowest estimation, of about 6,000 men.—Though it is not evident that they have any immediate object of hostility in view, yet, in the present situation of the two countries, I should consider myself as wholly inexcusable if I were to connive at the execution of a measure of such an important, and, under all its circumstances, of so suspicious a nature. I must therefore recommend it to you as an object (as it appears to me) of the utmost consequence to his maj,'s service, that the sailing 182 of the above-mentioned armament should be opposed; first, by a declaration of your being authorised to oppose it by force, and finally, by the execution of force, if unhappily such an extremity should become necessary.—The expedition cannot I suppose be in a state to put to sea for some weeks; and it is possible that the protests, which I shall think it my duty to make, may so far delay it, as to render it possible to receive instructions from England. In the mean time however, and unless you should yourself receive instructions to the contrary, I beg to be considered as charging myself with any responsibility which may attach to the measure which I recommend.—As it is my wish to avoid any needless appearance of menace, I would advise the utmost secrecy upon the subject of this letter. I shall myself communicate it to the ministers here, but to no one else. They will, I apprehend, be much more disposed to give way, when they find that our discretion enables them to do so with decency. J. H. FRERE.
§ No. 13. —Copy of a Dispatch from J. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld, Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 4th March, 1804; recd. 19th March.—My lord; I have the honor to inclose a translation of the answer which M, Cevallos has returned to the representations which I was instructed to make in consequence of the permission given to the enemy of equipping their privateers in the ports of the island of Cuba. J. H. FRERE.
§ (Translation referred to in No. 13.)—Aranjnez, 3d March, 1804.—Sir; I have given an account to the king, my master, of the note which you were pleased to address to me under yesterday's date, concerning the permission given in St. Jago de Cuba, and other places under the jurisdiction of the capt. gen. of that island, to arm privateers, which annoy the British commerce. And his maj. being informed of what you have expressed upon this subject, has directed me to reply, that there exist in this ministry repeated proofs of the circumspection and prudence with which the cant. gen. of the isle of Cuba has conducted himself in the present circumstances, as well as during the whole of his govt.; but that, notwithstanding, the complaint which you have made shall be communicated to him, with a repetition of the strictest orders, not to permit the least violation of neutrality, which can injure the good understanding between the two sovereigns. His maj. ha,s likewise 183 ordered me to assure you, that if the capt. gen. should prove to have acted in opposition to the friendly intentions of his maj. he will make known to him his royal displeasure.—In this answer, you will see nothing but the continuation of the uniform wish of the king, my master, to preserve, scrupulously, the strictest neutrality, and that his maj. neglects no means for preserving with his Brit. maj. the good understanding which happily subsists between both monarchies. P. CEVALLOS.
§ No. 14.—Extract of a Dispatch from J.H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Madrid, 5th Mar l804; recd, the 29th.—A conversation which I had this morning with the prince of peace, has so much confirmed me in the opinion which I have already stated to your ldp. that I cannot avoid mentioning some particulars of it. It seems the French had sent to demand the payment of an instalment of their subsidy, which I suppose impressed the subject more strongly on his mind. After a good deal of other conversation, he complained of the uncertainty in which they were kept with respect to the intentions of England; that their trade was ruined; that the merchants dared not make any expeditions; and he concluded by dwelling on the general embarrassment created by their present uncertainty of bringing home their money from America, and the scarcity and distress throughout the country. I said that I had already mentioned to him the necessary preliminary to any understanding upon this head, namely, the communication of the treaty. He repeated the same objection which he had made use of before, and which is mentioned in a former letter to your ldp. and when I remarked upon the unreasonableness of expecting that G. Brit, should give her assent lo an unknown agreement, he said that it was a subject in which he bad nothing to do, and which belonged to the secretary of state. I shall accordingly make it the object of a conference with M. Cevallos, and intend going to Aranjuez for that purpose.
§ No. 15.—Translation of a letter from the Chev. d'Anduaga to Ld. Hawekesbury, dated Portland Place, 9th March, 1804,—My lord; Having received from my court, by the last packet from Lisbon, some interesting dispatches, I wished to converse with your excl. on the subject of them; but Mr. Hammond having given me to understand how extremely occupied your excl. is at present, I have thought, that, to 184 give your excl. the least possible trouble, and at the same time not to neglect the execution of the orders which had been sent to me, I should do better, and it would even be more agreeable to your excl. to give you without delay, and confidentially, some idea of the object of the audience which I had requested of your exl. through Mr. Hammond. The perfect confidence, with which your ldp. has inspired me, leads me to communicate to you, without reserve, every thing which can in any wise contribute to convince your excl as well as the British ministry, of the amicable intentions, and of the pacific sentiments of my court.—You will recollect, my lord, that whenever I have had the honour to converse with your excl. on the principles on which the English govt, might consent to the neutrality of Spain in the present war, even though she furnished to France those succours in troops and vessels stipulated by the treaty of 1796, as well as on the means by which it might be accomplished, I earnestly requested the Brit, ministry maturely to consider this affair, before they took a decisive resolution; since, exclusive of the reasons which I then alleged in support of the system which I proposed, it never would happen that Spain would furnish, either a single vessel, or a single soldier, against England; since, according to accurate intelligence, the Spanish govt, would then have already entered upon a negotiation with France to substitute money in the place of the succours in troops and vessels; and that this substitution being reciprocally advantageous to both countries, it could not but be effected without difficulty. I considered myself as so much the more authorized to speak with such confidence, as I supposed England perfectly agreed with us on this point; since in none of our conversations, in which your excl. constantly testified to me an opposition to the furnishing by Spain of succours in kind, and principally in ships, did you ever make any mention of pecuniary succours. It was in consequence of this persuasion, to which I myself contributed, that Spain determined to make that sacrifice of money, which she has made by her last treaty with France, flattering herself that she would by this means insure to herself the friendship of England; else, how would it be possible that Spain would have signed a treaty of this nature, if it was not in order the better to obtain the accomplishment of her pacific wishes with respect to England? 185 Can it be imagined, that Spain would be induced to make sacrifices in order to avoid a war, and that at the same time she would have reason to fear, that these very sacrifices would be a subject of discontent for the British ministry?—The Brit. govt, not having therefore taken it amiss, that Spain should furnish money instead of the troops and ships stipulated by the treaty of 1796, cannot moreover complain, if the sums to be paid by Spain be proportioned to the expences which she must have been at for. the maintenance of the above-mentioned ships and troops: it would even be inconsequent to refuse the 2d condition, after having tacitly acquiesced in the 1st. In the event even of Spain having promised to France something more than an equivalent, it would not be the fault of my court. All the world well knows, that she would not in that case have done more, than submit to the necessity of circumstances; for, from the very moment that England opposed itself to the furnishing by Spain of succours in kind, there remained for her no other course to take, than that of concerting with her ally the amount to be fixed upon as the equivalent.—Although there is no reason to believe, that the French govt, has exacted from my court more than an equivalent to the stipulated succours; it is nevertheless painful to recal at this moment to your excl. one of the observations which I made during the negotiation, in order to induce the Brit, ministry to recognize the neutrality of Spain, even though she should furish the succours in kind; namely, that if England had adhered to it, she would have obtained two great advantages: 1st. That of performing a striking action of justice and of policy, an action conformable to the law of nations, and likely to gain over to her the suffrages of all Europe: 2d. That of depriving France of all means of increasing her claims on Spain, in case she should wish so to do.—If the treaty of pecuniary subsidies lately concluded between Spain and France deserves every attention on the part of the Brit. govt, when examined with respect to the pacific views which were the motive of the former of these powers for concluding it, and to the circumstances which preceded and accompanied its conclusion, it is not the less an object of forbearance and of approbation for England, if regard is had to the saving which it procured to that power of an augmentation of naval forces, which she would have been 186 forced to make, to oppose to the vessels which Spain would have furnished to France, supposing that the treaty of pecuniary subsidies had not been concluded.—To this advantage must be added another, which is not of less importance to England; it is, that as long as Spain shall pay the pecuniary subsidies lately stipulated, the French govt, cannot engage its ally in any step contrary to the laws of the strictest neutrality; and that, with this security, England may concentrate its military operations in the employment of all its land and sea forces.—The facts and the reflections which I have now laid before your excl. prove, 1st. The sincerity with which Spain has desired, and still desires, to maintain be friendship with England; 2d. That her conduct has been in perfect conformity with these desires; 3d. That in her last treaty with the French govt, she has sought to conciliate her relations of friendship with England, and her duties towards France: in short, that England reaps real advantages from the said treaty of subsidies.—From all that I have now stated, there cannot remain a doubt, that the court of Spain, as well from the good faith which it has manifested in all its proceedings during the negotiation, as from the reiterated proofs which it has constantly given to the Brit. govt, of its sincere desire to continue its relations of friendship with them, has an incontestible right to the most perfect reciprocity on the part of England, of whose sentiments I have never entertained the least doubt, particularly since the conferences which I had with your excl. on the 21st and 26th of Jan. last.—In these conferences, on the subject of which I have infinite satisfaction in reflecting, your excl. manifested the most just and most valuable sentiments with regard to Spain, they discovered to me, how fully sensible his Brit, maj.'s govt, were of the situation of my court with respect to France at the moment of the conclusion of its treaty with her; and that, entering into all the considerations which could have. induced Spain to agree to any thing which might displease England, they would be ready to give way to them, provided that Spain acted frankly with the English govt, and that she manifested in the rest of her conduct that good faith which is consonant to a friendly power, who observes a neutrality towards belligerent powers. This declaration, which I hastened to transmit to my court by the same messenger which your excl dispatched 187 the very day in which the first conference was held, must necessarily have met with the most favourable reception at Madrid. It will even have dissipated the doubts and fears to which Mr. Frere's note of the 13th of Dec. (on the meaning of which, the Spanish ministry requested Mr. Frere to demand explanations of his govt.) had given rise. But as, during this interval, Mr. Frere delivered a 2d note, in which the Spanish ministry could not yet discover what might be the intention of England in the last step which Mr. Frere had taken they have thought it indispensable, to order me to request the English ministry to explain themselves in a frank and precise manner as to their intentions towards Spain. Now, since it is important that, in an affair which so deeply interests both govts, and on the principle of which having always agreed, they have mutually invited each other to explanations, they should hasten to communicate their respective wishes, I think that it will be-very advantageous to both courts, that I should converse with your excl. on some points, which may facilitate the accomplishment of these wishes. It is for this reason, my lord, that I take the liberty to request of you a conference. I flatter myself, that your excl. will grant it to me as soon as possible, particularly, as, from the instructions which I have received from my court, the result cannot but be very favourable.—I avail myself, &c. The Chev. D'ANDUAGA.
§ No. 16.—Translation of a Letter from the Cheo. D'Andumga, to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Portland-Place, 30th March, 1804.—My lord; It is with the greatest eagerness that I desire to confer with your excl. on the contents of the dispatches which I have just received from my court by the List packet arrived from Lisbon. They afford the fullest confirmation of every thing which I have had the honour to state to your excl. in all our conversations, and especially in those of the 21st and 26th Jan. respecting the sentiments and conduct of the king, my master, towards his Brit, maj. I will not here repeat the answer which his excl. M Cevallos gave to Mr. Frere, on the 27th Feb. with regard to the complaints brought forward in his 3 notes of the 23d and 24th of the same month. This answer, as well from its simplicity and the force of its reasoning, as from its conciliating spirit, and the most positive assurances of the king's uprightness in all his proceedings, the sincerity of which is 188 supported by well-known facts, cannot leave on the British govt, the least doubt as to the conduct of Spain in the neutrality which she has adopted with regard to the belligerent powers. I suppose, my lord, that this answer will have reached you, and I refer you entirely to it.—But as I never lost any opportunity of informing my court of every thing which could contribute to accelerate a perfect understanding between the two govts, relative to the neutrality of Spain, and especially of the fears manifested by the British govt. lest any thing to the prejudice of England would have been stipulated in the treaty of neutrality concluded with France, I hasten, my lord, to communicate to your excl. what the chev. de Cevallos informed me in this respect on the 4th March last. "In the treaty of neutrality with France," says he, "we have not admitted any art prejudicial to England; and we have rejected some which appeared foreign to a treaty of subsidy. In order to fix the amount of these, regard has been had to the expence which the succours in kind,' such as are stipulated in our treaty of alliance with France, would have cost us. One part even of these subsidies is retained for the payment of the sums owed us by this power. We have, without violating our neutrality, afforded to the English all the succours of which their vessels have been in need. Our conduct towards the French has also been governed by the same principles. The notes transmitted to his Brit, maj.'s minister, resident at this court, breathe nothing but candour, good faith, and the desire to preserve the strictest neutrality. The most recent proof of this is the note which I transmitted to him on the 29th Feb. last, in answer to several complaints which he had addressed to me, and of which I send your excl. a literal copy, to enable you to make use of it to lord Hawkesbury. You will there observe, that Mr. Frere makes no return to our candour, and to our overture; since at the very time he protests that his govt, entertains the most ardent desires to keep up a good understanding with Spain, he throws out propositions capable of alarming us, and of clogging our commerce, although we have demanded of him clear and definite explanations. In short, I can assure your excl. that nothing relative to commerce has been stipulated in the treaty of subsidy."—I flatter myself, my lord in previously making you this 189 prompt and friendly communication,. that your excl. will grant me as soon as possible an audience, in order that we may confer together on objects which are so deeply interesting to both govts. I avail myself, &c. The Chev. D'ANDUAGA.
§ No. 17. Translation of a Letter from the Chev. d'Anduaga to Ld. Hawkesbury, dated Portland Place, 1st May, 1804.—My lord; Having sent to my court a copy of the confidential note, which I had the honour to transmit to your excl. on the 9th March last, on the subject of the neutrality of Spain, I have the satisfaction to announce to your excl. that the king my master has entirely approved of its contents, and that his maj. has found therein the faithful expression of his loyal intentions, and of his pacific views towards England. With this I am made acquainted by the chev. de Cevallos, in his dispatch of the 1st April, who adds, "that in order not to leave the Brit: ministry the least room for doubt on the real system of our court, his maj. had acceded to the conditions which Mr. Frere had demanded, as necessary for insuring the acknowledgment and observance of our neutrality on the part of England." The chev. du Cevallos at the same time transmitted to me a copy of the answer which he returned to Mr. Frere's note of the 15th Feb. last, and I have the honour to send you a literal translation of it, by which your excl. cannot fail to be convinced of the sincerity of all my communications, and of the constant dispositions of my court to strengthen, and increase the relations of friendship which subsist between the two govts.—I avail myself, &c. The Chev. D'ANDUAGA.
§ [Translation of Inclosure in No. 17.]—In order to answer the note which you did me the honour to transmit to me on the 18th Feb. last, respecting several points relative to the neutrality of Spain, as with regard to England and France, in the present circumstances of Europe, I have taken that time which the importance of an affair so interesting to the common happiness of the subjects of both sovereigns required.—In the above mentioned note, after having proposed the points or basis on which your court founds the acknowledgment of our neutrality, and wisely discussed the advantages and consequences of each of those points, you conclude, by proposing definitely by order of your govt, as the basis of the said acknowledgment, the cessation of all armaments, and of the sale of prizes 190 carried into the ports of these kingdoms; adding, that you are not authorized to admit any modification on this definitive proposition.—As to the 1st point, that is to say, the cessation of all armaments, I have nothing to add to that, which on different occasions, and particularly in my note of the 8th Jan. last, I have had the honour to communicate to you, since the conduct of this cabinet, under the present circumstances, ought to dissipate every shadow of doubt, of any hostile intentions on the part of the king my master; and consequently, I am persuaded that his Brit, maj.'s wishes and demands are entirely satisfied on this point.—With regard to the cessation of the sale of prizes brought into the ports of Spain, although that affair was susceptible of great difficulties, they have, nevertheless, been surmounted' by his maj.'s pacific wishes; and you may assure your court, that, conformably to your demands, the sale of the prizes of either of the belligerent nations brought into the ports of these kingdoms will not be permitted,' his maj. having given orders relating thereto, which will be rigorously observed.—His maj. hopes, that as this prohibition is really prejudicial to his interests, and to those of his subjects, the king of G. Brit, will look on this condescension as the most efficacious proof of his desire to preserve the most perfect understanding with his Brit. maj. and as imposing on England a fresh obligation to have for Spain all the considerations due to the uprightness, the good faith, the generosity, and the pacific views of the king my master. I am, &c. P. CEVALLOS.
§ No. 18.—Extract of a dispatch from £. H. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Harrowby, dated Madrid, 5th July, 1804;received 27th July.—
§ The subsidy paid by this country to France had been regularly acquitted up to the month of May, at the rate of 800,000 dollars per month. A new expedient has since been hit upon for enabling the French govt, to avail itself of the resources of Spain to an extent which will not be limited by those difficulties which must sooner or later have put as top to the extraction of specie. A loan of 5 millions of dollars has been negotiated at Paris in favor of this govt, or, more properly speaking, in favor of that of France, as it is not to be imagined that any part of it will ever find its way into this country, or be applied to any other purpose than that of the payment of the stipulated tribute. It is agreed that the 191 capital is to be repaid at the end of 3 years; the annual interest to be 6 per cent, with an allowance of 3 per cent, for commission upon the whole capital subscribed; there is besides a farther advantage allowed to the contractors, namely, a privilege of exporting, free of duty, a quantity of dollars, to the amount of the capital subscribed: this cannot be calculated at less than 6 per cent. and may be much more. These sums, therefore, divided amongst the 3 years, make at least an additional 3 per cent, and give 9 per cent, as the lowest rate of annual interest paid by this govt, for an exigible debt. It may, I should imagine, be safely reckoned as only a little short of 10 per cent, or nearly the rate of interest upon the vales, which bear 6 per cent, and are at a discount of 36.
§ NO. 19—Copy of a dispatch from Ld. Hawkesbury to B. Frere, Esq. dated Downing Street, 29th Sept. 1804.—Sir; The preceding dispatch is written with the view of being read in extenso to M. de Cevallos, in your conference with him; and if you should find it necessary to make any communication in writing, you will frame it in exact conformity to the instructions contained in that dispatch.—After the step which has been taken by the court of Spain, it is impossible to rely implicitly upon any assurances, however positive; and you will therefore take the most speedy and effectual means of learning, with certainty, at Ferrol, at Carthagena, and at Cadiz, whether the armaments have been countermanded, and the orders for that purpose are actually in the course of execution; and you will forward without delay the intelligence you may receive from those ports.—In every view in which the subject has been considered here, it has appeared so improbable that any explanations can be given by the court of Spain, of the motives of this armament, which can induce his maj. to acquiesce in its continuance, that I have not adverted to that case; but if, contrary to expectation, any explanation should be offered, which in your judgment appears satisfactory, you are authorized to suspend your departure from Madrid, until his maj.'s pleasure can be taken; but you will expressly declare that you have no authority to spend during that interval the execution of those measures of precaution which his maj. has already thought it necessary to direct to be taken.
§ No. 20.—Extract of a Dispatch from B. Frere, Esq. to Ld. Harrowby, dated Ma- 192 drid, 12th Oct. 1804; rec. 2d Nov. The accounts which I have received from Mr. Duff since my last, mention that there is no appearance whatever in the harbour of Cadiz of an intention to arm.
§ No. 21—Translation of a Letter from the Chev. D'Anduvga to Ld. Harrowby, dated Portland Place, 22d Dec. 1804; received 23d. My lord; After the abrupt and unexpected manner in which the Brit, charge d'affaires at Madrid has broken off all diplomatic communication with the Spanish cabinet, I might well dispense with recalling to your excls attention the completely pacific proceedings which have constantly marked the system followed by my court towards England; but desiring, conformably to his maj.'s orders, to shew to the last moment that spirit of conciliation which constitutes the essence of my mission, and the distinguishing characteristic of my sovereign, I have thought it my duty to make yet one more effort, tending to shew in its true light the frank and friendly conduct which the king has not ceased to display since the rupture between France and England, amidst the difficulties of his situation with regard to the two belligerent powers.—From the very moment that the king had learned the commencement of hostilities between France and England, his maj. gave all his attention to the manner in which he should conduct himself in order to prevent all room for discontent on the part of those two states, and to the system which he would have to follow in such a conjuncture, in order to conciliate his engagements as the ally of France, with his duties of friendship towards England. Although his maj. knew very well, that his quality of auxiliary to the 1st of these powers, was in no wise incompatible with that of friend to the 2d, he was, from the very first, perfectly sensible, and his opinion has been since confirmed by accounts from his minister at London, that the Brit, govt, would, with difficulty, consent to his furnishing to France succours, such as are stipulated by the treaty of 1796. In this persuasion, and in order to remove every hostile appearance in his connections with the latter power, he resolved to propose to his ally the conclusion of a new treaty, by which pecuniary succours should be substituted for the succours in troops and ships, which he had engaged to furnish to France by the treaty of alliance. After long and difficult negotiations, the king congratulated himself on having at last 193 obtained the object of his amicable views, by the conclusion of a treaty of subsidy.—Confiding in the uprightness of his intentions, and in the pacific sentiments which had prompted him to take this step, his majesty was fully persuaded that the Brit, govt, would not fail to appreciate this very unequivocal mark of friendship. The complaints brought forward soon afterwards by Mr. Frere, against the above-mentioned convention—complaints which he has at different times renewed, though always in very vague terms, and without ever making an essential and decisive point of them, were therefore a real subject of surprize to his Catholic maj. Nevertheless, answers full of moderation and candour were by his order made, to them, in which answers were set forth the motives which had led him to make a treaty of which the English govt, had the less room for complaint, as it was solely out of regard to them that his maj. had determined to conclude it.—At nearly the same time, his Brit, maj.'s minister having addressed to my court representations on the armaments which he pretended were carrying on in our ports, and which he supposed to be directed against England, his maj. ordered answers to be in like manner made to him, that the views of the Spanish govt, were very far from any motive of hostility; that his Brit. maj. could not mistake pacific intentions of the king of Spain, who had given him so many incontestible proofs of friendship; and that these proofs were manifested as well in the sacrifices made by the king to secure peace, as in the severity exercised, even before it was demanded towards those of his subjects who had acted contrary to the duties of neutrality. In fine, that, according to these data, there did not exist the least cause for apprehending that Spain would engage in further armaments, for that would be acting against her pacific system." At the same time, as the court of Madrid was not enabled to form an exact and fixed judgment of the principles and the conduct which the Brit. govt, proposed to follow; on account of the equivocal language in which Mr. Frere always enveloped his representations, it invited him to express himself in a clear and precise manner as to the intentions and the views of his govt, with regard to Spain. It was in consequence of this frank and friendly invitation, that his Brit, maj.'s minister at last particularized to my court, in a note Winch he transmitted to it on the 18th Feb. 194 last, the conditions on which his govt. would be disposed to recognize the neutrality of Spain. These conditions were, the suspension of all ulterior armament, and the prohibition of the sale of prizes in his maj.'s dominions. Not having exacted Others, it is perfectly clear, that the Brit, ministry engaged itself thereby to respect the neutrality, as soon as the king, my master, should acquiesce in these conditions.—His maj. who had resolved to make every sacrifice compatible with the welfare of his people, in order to secure to them the benefits of a solid peace, determined to forbid the sale of prizes in his kingdoms; which prohibition took place on the 23d March last; and with regard to the armaments, he renewed the assurances which the Brit. govt, had already received on this head; assurances the sincerity of which was well guaranteed by the lively interest which his maj. has constantly attached to the maintenance of peace, since the rupture between France and England. —This eagerness of the king to fulfil all the wishes of the Brit, cabinet, and thp painful sacrifice which his maj. had just made of the advantages which the sale of prizes in the ports of Spain held out to Spanish commerce, ought to have completed the confidence of England, and to have eradicated from the opinion of its govt, every atom of doubt on the pacific sentiments of my court; accordingly, the English minister seemed to have felt all the value of such sacrifices, since he brought forward no more complaints, and that the most perfect harmony seemed every day to unite more and more the two govts.—Such were the relations subsisting between the two nations, when, in Sept. last, some discontent having broken out in Biscay, his maj. ordered the embarkation of a part of the troops which were in garrison at Ferrol, in order to their being transported without delay to the place where the disorder had occurred. Then it was, that the enemies of Spain, sounding the alarm, under the pretext that considerable armaments were carrying on in her ports, sought to communicate their feigned uneasiness to the Brit. govt, by placing before them in the most hostile colours, a measure as foreign to the interests of England, as it was indispensable to the stifling in their birth movements which had manifested themselves in a province of Spain. Then it was, that the Brit, charge d'affaires, hurried on by reports which male- 195 Volence had exaggerated, and without examining either the nature, the extent, or the well-known object of these pretended armaments, made complaints of them ill a note, dated 27th Sept. last, in which he represented them as an hostile aggression against his govt, and as a defiance given to England, and expressed himself in other terms not less injurious to the reputation of the king, than contrary to the relations which subsisted between the two countries. —Although such reproaches, in return for the proofs which the king had always given of his eagerness to strengthen the bonds of friendship which united him to the Brit, govt, were of a Mature to excite in him the greatest surprize, his maj. nevertheless, directed answers to the intemperate representations of Mr. Frere, to be made with that moderation which is the most striking point in the history of his political conduct; a moderation the more signal from this circumstance, that the above mentioned armament, which excited so much sensation was confined within the limits prescribed by an agreement which was concluded on the 19th Oct. 1803, between the two govts, since it was restricted to the same number of vessels which were already armed before this epoch; and what proves still more clearly the pacific views of the king is, that the armament in question had been suspended by his maj.'s orders some days before the Brit, charge d'affaires had brought forward his complaint on the subject.—Notwithstanding this, notwithstanding the assurances of friendship and good faith expressed in the answer of my court, notwithstanding the absolute cessation of these pretended armaments, on which the enemies of peace had founded their criminal hopes (a cessation of which the Brit, charge d'affaires could not be ignorant), instead of softening the menacing tone which he had at first adopted, Instead of resuming that friendly language which the perfect justification of my court required of him, he did but accumulate fresh reproaches, the harshness and injustice of which began to reveal the hostile, system which he has not since discontinued.—The Brit. govt, on their side, forgetting on a sudden the pacific relations which they had maintained during several months with my sovereign, and without waiting for more exact and less suspicious information on our preparations at Ferrol, from whence it had received none but exaggerated accounts, brought by the Naiad, 196 and, which is still more astonishing, without paying attention to the information which I transmitted to it through the channel of your excl. on the innocence and the true object of these pretended armaments, did not hesitate to give that extraordinary order, which, as well from its nature, as from its disastrous consequences, must have struck with horror every cabinet in Europe. Instead of beginning by demanding explanations from my court on the subject of these alarms, it breaks off the good understanding which subsisted between the two nations, by an act of hostility of which the most rancorous wars scarcely afford an example; and, as if it feared that the explanations of the Spanish minister, and ulterior accounts from Spain, would force it to respect a neutrality, to which it seemed absolutely determined to put an end, it hastened to make war against her, without any previous declaration, and even in the midst of the most profound peace. The 5th of Oct. was witness to the shedding of the innocent blood of several women and children, who perished victims of an unheard-of violence! And this blood was shed by the hands of a nation whose govt, themselves declare afterwards that they are not at war with Spain!—Before the news of this dreadful event came to the knowledge of the king, the Brit, charge d'affaires seems to have made it his business to exasperate his maj. by all imaginable means. Not being able to conceal from himself the frivolity of his accusations relative to our preparations at Ferrol, since their existence had ceased a long time before, he was obliged to call to his aid some new grievances, as slightly founded as they are destitute of good faith, He did not fail to make new demands, some of them contrary to what had been agreed upon between the two govts, the others entirely inadmissible, from their injurious tendency. Thus it is that he exacted from my court the engagement, "that no armament whatever should be carried on" in the ports of Spain, whilst his govt, and himself had consented that the naval forces of Spain should be kept up on the same footing as they were at the time of the above-mentioned agreement., Thus it is, that he pretended that his maj. had always refused to give a distinct explanation with regard to his engagements with France; that without this previous communication, the Brit. govt, had never been willing to consent to the neutrality of 197 Spain; in short, thus it is, that he ended, by imperiously demanding this communication, although without declaring what would be the ulterior conduct of his court, in case his maj. should acquiesce in this demand.—The king, my master, might have refused an answer to this extraordinary summons. The inaccuracy of the suppositions on which it is founded, and the previous steps of the Brit, ministry, who, amongst the conditions fixed by England for the acknowledgment of the neutrality, had not comprised the necessity of a similar communication, sufficiently authorized his maj. not to attend to a demand of this nature. Your excl. knows that, immediately after the conclusion of the treaty of subsidy, the British government addressed to my eourt representations, the object of which was by no means to demand a distinct explanation with regard to the engagements which that, treaty contained, but positively "to declare that the furnishing the pecuniary advances, as stipulated in the convention concluded with France, could not be looked upon otherwise than as a war subsidy, &c." These expressions, the very same as used by the British minister in the note which he delivered to this effect on the 3d of Dec. last, do not admit the doubt that his govt, was not at that time thoroughly acquainted with the contents of the above-mentioned convention. Had it been otherwise, could Mr. Frere have held this language without knowing the extent of our subsidies, especially after having declared in the same note, "that his govt, was disposed to overlook such pecuniary sacrifices as should not be of sufficient magnitude to force attention on account of their political effects?" If therefore they were then acquainted with the amount of the sums which his maj. had to pay to France, how could they now be ignorant of it? And not being ignorant of it, what end do they at present propose to themselves in demanding the disclosure of a secret which could never have been one to them?—Supposing even that his maj.'s engagements with France, with respect to the subsidies, should still remain a mystery' to the Brit. govt, it would not be less true, that they have no longer the right to demand a distinct explanation on this subject, at least, as a condition essential to the maintenance of peace. If the Brit. govt. attached so much importance to this communication, that they thought it right to make it a condition, without which 198 they would not engage to respect the neutrality of Spain, they ought to have expressly declared so at the epoch, when, yielding to the solicitations of my master, they fixed the basis of a permanent and solid neutrality. Not having then acted in this manner, they had no longer a right to do so; for otherwise, that act, whereby the conditions essential to neutrality were settled, and the object of which was evidently to remove the uncertainty of those relations which subsisted between the two courts, would be entirely illusory, since it would still leave to England a facility of continually adding fresh conditions to those already agreed on. Hence it follows, that the Brit. govt, could no longer, exact a distinct explanation on the subject of the subsidies, as the price of their respect for the neutrality of Spain, so long as the two conditions relative to the armaments, and to the sale of prizes, should be strictly fulfilled.—Notwithstanding all these motives, according to which the king might have dispensed with answering directly to this demand, his maj. putting himself above all those considerations naturally excited by the irregular conduct of Mr. Frere, has even condescended to make an explicit and satisfactory answer, in renewing to him a similar assurance to that which I had already given by his order to the Brit, govt, namely, that the subsidies stipulated by the convention are but an equivalent for the succours in troops and ships which he was obliged by the treaty of 1796 to furnish to France, and that, in that convention, there is no article prejudicial to England, or contrary to the laws of neutrality. This moderate, frank, and satisfactory answer of my court served but to produce fresh complaints on the part of the British charge d' affaires, who did not hesitate at the same time to demand his passports. His maj. constantly faithful to his principles of moderation, endeavoured to prevent, by every means compatible with his dignity, the consequences of so extraordinary a demand, and did not make any difficulty in reiterating to him again the most amicable and most frank assurance, as well on the subsidies, as on the armaments; but all his efforts have been useless. At length, perceiving that he was obstinate in wishing to leave Madrid, since in the space of 7 days he had 4 times demanded his passports, and that, at the last solicitation, he had even threatened to remain there as a, private individual, or 199 else to depart without passports, the king found himself under the necessity of granting them to him, however unpleasing for his maj. might be the consequence which would arise from so precipitate a step.—At the same time that this unexpected stroke deprived his maj. of nearly all the hopes he had till then entertained, his heart was penetrated with the deepest affliction, on learning the dreadful event of the 5th of Oct. and the disastrous circumstances by which it had been accompanied. Although the details, which he received from all quarters, and the uniformity of all the accounts, gave to ibis intelligence all the force of an indubitable fact, his maj. under the influence of the invariable rectitude of his Sentiments, and not having as yet received official information on this head, flattered himself by calling in question the reality of a similar outrage: at; least he could not persuade himself that it had been caused by an order issued by the British govt. His maj. has consequently ordered me to demand of them categorical explanations on the detention of his frigates, on the instructions which may have been sent to the English commanders, and on the motives which may have induced the British charge d'affaires to break off all communication with the Spanish ministry.—Notwithstanding the coincidence of such alarming intelligence, with the irregular conduct of Mr. Frere, the king could not resolve to take any measure which had the least appearance of hostility. So much had he at heart the continuance of peace! It was not till after having learnt, in an authentic manner, the act of violence exercised on the above-mentioned frigates, by virtue of an express order of the Brit. govt, that his maj. found himself under the necessity, in order to consult the interest of his people, to order an embargo to be laid, by way of reprisals, on all English property throughout his dominions—lu this state of things, if the king can no longer flatter himself with the hope; of on accommodation, if the system manifested for some time past by England seems to render inevitable a rupture between two nations, of which the reciprocal interest ought to lead them to live always in good understanding with each other, his maj. has not at least abandoned the desire to listen to pacific overtures, and is still disposed to avail himself of all the means of conciliation which may be compatible with the dignity of his crown, and the safety of his kingdoms.—But if, 200 notwithstanding this conciliatory and pacific declaration, which I have the honor, conformably to the wishes of the king my master, to make to your excl. the Brit, govt, should decide on taking the resolution to declare open war against him, his maj. in that case, confiding in the fidelity of his subjects, and in the purity of his conscience, will have recourse to those forces which Providence has entrusted to him for the defence of his people, and will commit to the fortune of war the result of a conflict which he has in no degree provoked, and with the consequences of which he will accordingly not have to reproach himself. I avail myself, &c.
§ The Chev. D'ANDUAGA.
§ No. 22—Copy of a Letter from G. Hammond, Esq. to J. H. Frere, Esq. dated Downing street,24th Dec. 1804.—Sir; I herewith inclose to you the extract of a note from the Chev. d'Anduaga, dated the 22d of this month, in which, you will observe an assertion of that minister, that the naval armament carried on in the ports of Spain was confined to the limits prescribed by an agreement coucluded on the 19th of Oct. 1803, between the British and Spanish govts. No traces of any such agreement having been found in the correspondence of this office, I am directed to request that you will state to me, for the information of his maj.'s govt, whether you ever entered into any agreement, expressed or implied with the Spanish ministers, which can in any degree warrant the assertion of the Chev. d'Anduaga to which I have adverted. I am, &c. G. HAMMOND.
§ (Inclosure referred to in No. 22.)—Extract of a Note from the Chev. D'Anduaga to Ld. Harrowby, dated 22 Dec. 1804.—Although such reproaches, in return for the proofs which the king had always given of his eagerness to strengthen the bonds of friendship which united him to the Brit, govt, were of a nature to excite in him the greatest surprize, his maj. nevertheless directed answers to the intemperate representations of Mr. Frere, to be made with that moderation which is the most striking point in the history of his political conduct; a moderation the more signal from this circumstance, that the above mentioned armament, which excited so much sensation, was confined within the limits prescribed by an agreement, which was concluded on the 19th Oct. 1803, between the two govts, since it was restricted to the same number of vessels which were already armed before 201 this epoch; and what proves still more clearly the pacific views of the king, is, that the armament in question had been suspended by his maj.'s orders some days before the Brit, charge d'affaires had brought forward his complaint on the subject.
§ No. 23.—Letter from J. H. Frere, Esq. to G. Hammond, Esq. dated London, 24th Dec. 1804.—Sir; I have just received your letter. The expression in the chev. d'Anduaga's note is quite unintelligible to me. It appears to assert the existence of something of the nature of a written treaty, upon the subject of the Spanish armaments, and it assigns the 19th of Oct. 1803, as the date of this supposed agreement. It is certain, nevertheless, that no convention or agreement, either written or verbal, ever passed between M. Cevallos and me, either then, or at any other time. A declaration indeed was made in the notes, addressed to M. Cevallos, on the 24th Jan. and the 18th Feb stating, that his maj.'s govt, was disposed, in hopes of better times, to exercise for the present a discretional forbearance: yet that this forbearance would cease the moment that Spain departed from her status quo with respect to armaments.—M. Cevallos, in his answer, has described this declaration as the basis of a neutrality binding upon G. Brit. Afterwards, in his' correspondence with my brother, whose first object was to bring back the Spanish armaments to the state in which they had been left in consequence of this declaration, M. Cevallos goes a step further, and calls it a convention of neutrality proposed by G. Brit. This is in his note of the 29th Oct. 1804, which can have no allusion, but to the declaration of the 24th Jan. and the 18th Feb. Again, in his note of the 3d Nov. he refers to a convention or treaty of neutrality of the 19th Oct. 1803; meaning, I suppose, the treaty of subsidy with France, the stipulations of which, though they have never been communicated, he refers to as known; and in a manner implying that they were mutually binding upon G. Brit, and Spain. I cannot but imagine that M. d'Anduaga must have been misled by these two circumstances, and that seeing it asserted in M. Cevallos' note of 29th Oct. that there existed a treaty of neutrality, which had been proposed by G, Brit, and again, in the note of the 3d of Nov. that the state of the armaments was to be regulated by a convention of the 19th Oct. he may have concluded that they were one and the same, and consequently 202 may have affixed to this imaginary treat/ the date of the one concluded with France. My conjecture may be wrong, but M. d'Anduaga's assertion appears to me inexplicable in any other way.—I am, &c. J. H. FRERE.
§ No. 24.—Extract of a Letter from Lt.-gen. Nugent, to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Hobart dated Jamaica, 14th Jan. 1804.—I have, just received the enclosed extract of a letter from St. Jago de Cuba of the 8th inst. and as the intelligence is fully credited by the gent. who forwarded it to me, I have advised the admiral of its contents. The French troops alluded to are parts of the garrisons of Port-au-Prince, under gen. La Valette; Cape Nicola Mole, under gen. Noailles; and Jeremie; which escaped from our cruizers; together with a considerable number of sick and convalescents, whom it was considered as unsafe to bring away, or to retain in Jamaica. I am sorry that the reduction in our numbers here will not permit me to reinforce Providence; but, I am confident in the efficacy of our naval force for the protection of that island and its dependencies.—We shall look with a very jealous eye towards Cuba, in which island the French troops have been, contrary to the pretended neutrality of the Spanish govt, most glaringly permitted to remain embodied, and privateers to be fitted out, notoriously the property of, and manned by Frenchmen.
§ No. 25.—Extract of a Letter from Gov. Halkett, to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Habart, dated Bahamas, 26th Jan. 1804.—I have the honour to inform your Idp. that by information just received here from different parts of the coast of Cuba, there cannot, I think, be any doubt but that an expedition is immediately intended against this place by a body of French troops that have been landed under gen. Noailles in that island from St. Domingo. I am so confident of the authenticity of the information, and of their intention against this island, that I shall immediately give information of it to gen. Nugent and adm. Duckworth, at Jamaica, and also to sir A. Mitchell, at Bermuda, to request some additional protection, if possible, without delay.
§ Translation, of Inclosure in No. 25.—St. Jago de Cuba, 8th Jan. 1804.—A French agent arrived here two days ago, who is said to have great authority. The Spanish govt, will not as yet recognize him, which circumstance has not, however, prevented his leaving a deputy, for the purpose of ad- 203 judging prizes.—Gen. Noailles has left Barracoa, together with his army (which consists of from 1000 to 1200 men,) on their way to Porto Principe, where he is to organize and augment it. Some persons have been sent by him to that town, in order to recruit them secretly. It is affirmed, that he has an intention of making himself master of la Providence, but I hope that he will be stopped in his way thither. Privateers are in greater number than ever; every body is fitting them out.
§ No. 26.—Extract of a Letter from Gov. Halkett, to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Hobart, dated Bahamas, 3d Feb. 1804; recd. 9th April following.—Since I had the honour of writing to your ldp. on the 26th ult. adm. Duckworth has sent another sloop of war to this station, so that I have no doubt, with the other vessels already equipped in this port, and the steps adopted for the defence of the island, we shall be enabled to give a good account of the intended French equipment, when it arrives. —In addition to the corroborated information I have received relative to this subject, adm. Duckworth mentions, that the French force under gen. Noailles, at Barracoa, amounted to between 1000 and 1500 men; that he was organizing and increasing his force; that he had been employing secret agents for the purpose of promoting his plan against this island (of which I had received good information,) and mentioning the quarter where it was supposed they would attempt a landing. Every precaution, however, has I think been taken, and it is extremely improbable that they can arrive without notice being given of their approach; and effectual resistance made to their progress by the vessels, which have been employed for this purpose.—Indeed by an account received from the coast of Cuba, I think that it is likely that general Noailles has been recently killed in an action which took place on that coast, with one of the armed private vessels from this port, the capt. of which very imprudently permitted himself to be boarded in the night-time by a French vessel, having on board about 350 French soldiers; the capt. of the Brit, vessel was killed, together with a great number of his crew, and the vessel captured, I understand that 80 or 90 of the French soldiers were killed in the action, and that gen. Noailles died of his wounds.
§ No. 27 —"Extract of a Letter from 204 Gov. Halkett, to tie Rt. Hon. Ld Hobart, dated Government-House, Bahamas, 11th Feb. 1804, recd. 9th April following.—I had the honour to inform your ldp, by the way of America, on the 26th ult. and 3d inst. of an intended attack upon the island of New Providence, by a body of French troops, (amounting, by the latest accounts, to from 12 to 1500 men), who had fled from St. Domingo, and have been collecting in various parts of the island of Cuba. The corroboration of the intended attempt, and the information of the quarter from which we ought most particularly to look for them, had been sent to me by sir J. Duckworth, from Jamaica.—The principal part of the French force is now at the Havanna, and I have been under the necessity of sending a remonstrance to the Spanish governor there, with respect to the tacit protection the enemy have been receiving in different places under his command, and demanding an explicit answer on the subject. I can assure your ldp. that every step has been adopted here which can add to our security and protection. I have hired all the armed vessels which we can possibly man in this colony, and I think it likely that the preparations which have been made, may prevent their undertaking what nothing but their superiority of numbers could have originally suggested.
§ No. 28.—Extract of a Letter from Gov. Halkett, to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Hobart, dated Government-house, Bahamas, 7th April, 1804; recd. 20th June following.—The conduct of the Spanish govt, at Cuba, with respect to the French, has been, considering the neutrality, shameful in the highest degree. To the remonstrances which I thought it my duty to make to the governor at the Havanna, he answers, that nothing inconsistent with the rules of neutrality had taken place within his govt, and that he confined himself strictly to common, acts of humanity or hospitality to the French who had arrived there. This he asserts, although it is a notorious fact, that the whole of the extensive coast of the island of Cuba has for several months been a shelter and protection to the numerous French privateers who infest those seas, and has afforded them safe and convenient places of deposit for their prizes. In the Havanna itself, armed vessels have been fitted out by the French, have proceeded to sea, and immediately returned with valuable Brit, prizes, part of whose cargoes 205 have been disposed of in that port without any questions or interference. There are now in the Havanna four valuable homeward bound Jamaica ships, and 4 brigs, which they have recently captured, and carried to that place. They have been purchasing vessels and arming them there, and have been allowed a degree of licence and latitude which can be looked upon as little short of actual hostility on the part of the Spanish govt. The French squadron in the Havanna amounts to about 10 armed vessels of different descriptions, and they have purchased Amer. ships for transports. If they proceed towards Europe, I think it probable they will meet with adm. Mitchell's squadron from Bermuda, as I have sent early information to him of their probable motions.
§ No. 29.—Extract of a Letter from Gov. Halkett, to the Rt. Hon. Ld. Hobart, dated Government-house, Bahamas, 19th May, 1804.—I am happy to inform your ldp. that the French troops under the command of gen. La Valette have at length left the island of Cuba. Some of them have, I believe, proceeded with the intention of joining the French, who, it is reported, still hold possession of the city of St. Domingo. Others of them, I imagine, have gone to Charleston in their way to Europe. La Valette, together with Deshayes, the commodore of this squadron, and about 200 of their best troops, have been cast away on one of the most northern of the Bahama islands, and probably all drowned, except one officer and a few men, who were picked up by one of the New Providence vessels, and brought to this place.—As I think we can have now no just cause of any apprehension of attack here from the French, I have discontinued the additional hired armed vessels; and I hope, before my departure from this island, I shall have cleared off every expence whatever, which has been incurred upon this necessary occasion; and which was, in my opinion, the undoubted cause of preventing any attempt upon this island.
§ No. 30—Extract of a Letter from Lt. Gov. Nugent to the Right Hon. Ld. Hobart, dated Jamaica, 20th May, 1804.—The governor of the island of Cuba having permitted the French troops which escaped from St. Domingo to assemble and equip themselves for service at the Havanna, &c. and having also given encouragement to the fitting out of privateers from the harbours of that island, to the injury of 206 the commerce of Jamaica, sir J. T. Duckworth and I have thought it necessary at length to write the enclosed letter to the marq, de Someruelos upon the subject. The Fortunee frigate has not yet returned with an answer.
§ (Inclosure in No. 30.)—Copy of a Letter from Lt. Gov. Nugent and Sir J. T. Duckworth to the Gov. of the Havanna, dated King's House, Jamaica, 10th April, 1804.—Sir; Rear-adm. Duckworth, commanding the squadron of the king, our master, in these seas, having in his letters of the 3d of Sept., 18th of Dec, and 30th of Jan., stated to your excl. the breaches of neutrality that were continually taking place in the various outports of Cuba within your excl.'s govt., even to the collecting and organizing a French force under the general of brigade Noailles, for the purpose of attacking his maj.'s island of New Providence, or other of his settlements. We had full reliance on your excl.'s high character, to put a stop to acts so hostile as must evidently be destructive of that harmony which we thought happily subsisted between the two nations, and which we have endeavoured by every means to preserve for the general good of both. It is therefore with great regret we feel ourselves called upon, in our joint situations as governor and naval commander in chief, to represent to your excl. that we have recently received accounts from the Havanna, the place of your excl.'s residence, that the French troops already alluded to are allowed to assemble there, and to hold out the same threatening aspect; and that British vessels, captured by French privateers equipped in the Havanna (we may even say under your excl.'s eye), are brought in and their cargoes taken out; and as a proof, particularize to your excl. the British Queen, which is said to be intended for gen. Valette and part of his troops; add to this the brig George from New Brunswick, a ship from Honduras, a brig, and schooner Fly from this island, are part of the captures. It consequently must be obvious to your excl. a continuance of measures so hostile to a nation by whom the strictest amity is preserved, must lead to consequences most dreadful to reflect on.—We therefore have dispatched his maj.'s ship Fortunee to convey our sentiments, and, if possible, to avert the evil which must be the result of a continuance of our enemy.
§ J. NUGENT. J. T. DUCKWORTH.
207§ No. 31.—Copy of an Order from Sir E. Pellew, Bart, to Capt. Wallis, of his Maj.'s skip Naiad, dated on board the Tonnant, off the Coast of Spain, the 15th Aug. 1803.—His excl. the capt. gen. of Galicia, resident at Corunna, having signified to you, in reply to your request for refreshments and water, that you were at liberty to supply your wants there, you are hereby required and directed to proceed, in his maj.'s ship you command, into the outer roads of Corunna, and request of his excl. the governor, permission to complete your water accordingly; and in case of refusal, you will signify your expectation of receiving that denial, by which he deprives his maj.'s ships of the rights of neutrality, in writing, that you may transmit it to his maj.'s ministers in England.—You are to permit as little communication with the shore as possible, and to be particularly cautious to support the good understanding which at present subsists between the subjects of the two nations; and in every thing conform Yourself with strict neutrality, holding yourself on guard, and ready to come out, if any suspicious circumstances should arise to create alarm in your mind of any hostile intention. E. PELLEW.
§ No. 32.—Copy of a Letter from Capt. Wallis, of his Maj.'s ship Naiad, to his Brit. Maj.'s Acting Consul at Corunna, dated in Corunna, 16th Aug. 1803.—Sir; I have to request you will send me off, in Spanish boats, 50 tons of water, which shall be paid for in the usual way; as also fresh beef, if it can be obtained; likewise vegetables, or any kind of refreshments you may be able to procure. Please to send mean answer in writing. I am, Sir, &c.
§ J. WALLIS.
§ No. 33—Copy of a Letter from Capt. Wallis to the Capt. Gen. of Galicia, dated on board his Maj.'s Ship Naiad, in Corunna, 16th Aug. 1803.—Sir; I have not hitherto been able to avail myself of your excl.'s permission given the 31st of last month to water the king's ship under my command I am now come for that purpose, and I request your excl. will permit the gent. who acts as English cousul to send me off between 40 and 50 tons in Spanish boats, which will complete the ship's water, and it shall be regularly paid for.—I am very desirous of manifesting my respect to his most Catholic maj. which I shall do by a salute of 15 guns, when I see his colours hoisted on any of the forls or fortifications, and an assurance in writing from your excl. 208 that a similar respect will be shewn to the nation I have the honor to belong to, by returning an equal number of guns.
§ J. WALLIS.
§ No. 34.—Copy of a Letter from P. Morrogh, Esq. his Majesty's Consul at Corunna, to Capt. Wallis, of the Naiad, dated. 17th Aug. 1803.—Sir; In answer to your letter of yesterday I have to inform you that the letter you wrote to the capt. gen. was handed to him this morning, with its translation. He acquiesces in you demand, that you may have the necessary supplies of water and refreshments, and that you and your officers may come on shore whenever you may think fit; but he cannot in what you require of the salute, gun for gun, as this is only practised by late treaties with Russia and France; but he will return the salute as with all other nations in amity, with two guns less.—I send the bearer, with a boat, for the cask to be filled with water; but I must observe to you, it will take some days to get the quantity you want. I shall send off this evening 500lbs. of fresh beef, and have sent into the country for 2 bullocks and 30 sheep, as they are not to be had this day in town, and expect to be able to send them to you to-morrow evening. You will please mention what kind of refreshments, and quantity thereof, you would have sent off, which shall be immediately complied with. I remain, &c.
§ P. MORROGH.
§ No. 35—Copy of a Letter from Mr. Morrogh, British Consul at Corunna, to Capt. J. Wallis, dated 17th Aug. 1803.—Sir; Since writing to you this morning, I have received the enclosed letter for you from the capt. gen. requesting I would send you a translation of it; on reading it, I immediately waited on his excl. and used all the arguments in my power to dissuade him from the order he had given not to let come on shore your officers, but could not prevail on him, as he says his orders are so pointed from court, on the head of vessels having had any intercourse with any from the W. India islands. I told him that I did not know that you had captured any from thence, and that if you did, you had taken every precaution as is always done; I think you had better enforce this point in your answer to his excl. I have got the casks put into Spanish boats, and shall have them filled as soon as possible; until some further determination, I shall send off in Spanish boats what you may demand. You will please to excuse haste, 209 as the gentlemen have been kept too long in the boat. I am, &c. P. MORROGH.
§ (Inclosure in No. 35.) —Translation of the Gov. of Corunna's Answer to Capt. Wallis's First Letter, dated Corunna, 17th Aug. 1803.—Sir; I have received your letter of yesterday's date, and being desirous to serve you in whatever lays in my power, I have mentioned to the British agent here that he may get you supplied with water, or whatever refreshments you may require; and the same I will do whenever it lays in my power.—It has been repeatedly reported here that you have captured several vessels from St. Domingo, which, on account of the epidemic fever in that island, has spread universal alarm throughout, and the health board, as well as myself, have received the strictest orders from court to enforce a quarantine in all vessels coming from the W. India islands, or those who may have had any intercourse with them; for which reason it lays me under the disagreeable necessity to inform you the board of health will not consent that any of your officers or men come on shore, nor have any intercourse with the inhabitants, nor can I permit your vessel to enter this port without she is to perform quarantine.—In regard to the salute, the orders we have, are to treat all men of war in amity with his Catholic maj. as we do our own; and it is only by the late treaties with Russia and France that gun for gun is returned, otherwise I should find great pleasure in being able to comply with your request, not only in this, but in any thing else you think I can be of service to you; and remain truly, Your's, &c.
§ No. 36—Copy of a Letter from Capt. Wallis to the Capt. Gen. of Galicia, dated on board his Brit. Maj,'s ship Naiad, in Corunna, 17th Aug. 1803.—Sir; I am to acknowledge the receipt of your excl.'s letter of this date, the contents of which I must confess myself at a loss how to account for; and I think it absolutely, requisite to call your excl.'s attention to the intercourse which has taken place between this ship and Corunna, since the 30th of last month, which ought to do away any impression in your mind of my having any infectious disorder on board,—By your letter of the 31st to me, you expressed your readiness to me to comply with my request, and as a neutral nation I bad a right, it being merely water and refreshments. Understanding I could get those things with more facility at Ferrol, I applied to the governor of that 210 place, who advised me to go to Corunna, where I might anchor, and get whatever I wanted. Under all these circumstances, I came off here last evening, and was piloted to a anchorage by a pilot, authorized by you to do so. Before sun-set I sent an officer from this ship on shore with the rank of capt. of infantry, with a letter to your excl. this officer was treated with great insult, and obliged to return to me without being permitted to deliver the letter he was charged with, and this too in the presence of the officers belonging to the French frigate.—This morning at 6 you sent off what was represented to me to be the commandant of the port, and 3 gentlemen of the board of health; they were with me near an hour, and made many professions of friendship on the part of your excl. and an apology for your conduct to the Brit, officer last evening; from which I attribute the treatment he met with to human frailty guided by particular influence. They informed me likewise that the officers of this ship were by your excl.'s directions permitted to go on shore whenever they pleased, and your conversation since that with the British consul upon the subject, confirmed me in the opinion that, if they were permitted to go on shore, they would be treated with that respect they had a right to expect. I sent two of them afterwards on duty to get refreshments, but it would appear that your excl.'s professions of friendship only led to wish for fresh opportunities to insult the king's officers under my command, for, when they landed, the sentinels pointed bayonets to their breasts, and drove them into the boats again, and made them stay there for 2 hours, and then they returned on board, and this too is said tol>e by your order, under a false pretence of my having taken St, Domingo ships. Sir, I told the officers of health this morning, that I had not taken any since I left England, and individually you dare not doubt my word; in my public situation you ought to place more confidence. I will not trespass much longer on your excl.'s time or patience, but I regret exceedingly you are so badly advised. I must therefore request your excl, will inform me in writing, for the information of his maj.'s ministers, why the king of England's ship under my command is deprived of the rights of neutrality? I hope sincerely your excl.'s conduct on this occasion may not lead to consequences of the most serious nature. Sir, I shall conclude my cor- 211 respondence with you, by expressing my surprise that you should suppose an English man of war would submit to any thing less that an equal number of guns even from the most powerful nation in Europe. I am, &c.
§ J. WALLIS.
§ No. 37.—Copy of a Letter from Mr. T. Morrogh, Acting Consul at Corunna, to Capt. Wallis of the Naiad, dated Corunna, 17th Aug. 1803.—Sir; In answer to your letter of yesterday's date, I have to inform you, that the letter you wrote to the capt. gen. was handed to him this morning, with its translation. He acquiesces in your demand that you may have the necessary supplies of water and refreshments, and that you and your officers may come on shore whenever you may think fit, but he cannot in what you require of the salute, gun for gun, as this is only practised by late treaties with Russia and France; but he will return the salute as with all other nations in amity, with 2 guns less. I send the bearer with a boat for the casks to be filled with water; but I must observe to you, it will take some days to get the quantity you want. I shall send off this evening 500lbs. of fresh beef, and have sent into the country for 2 bullocks and 30 sheep, as they are not to be had this day in town, and expect to be able to send them to you to-morrow evening. You will please to mention what kind of refreshment, and quantity thereof, you would have sent off, which shall be immediately complied with. I remain, &c. P. MORROGH
§ NO. 38.—Copy of a Letter of Capt Wallis of the Naiad to Mr. Morrogh, his Maj.'s Consul at Corunna, dated 7th Aug. 1803.—Sir; I have just received your letter, and beg you to express my thanks to the capt. gen. for his acquiescence to my request. I am sorry that what his excl. says respecting the salute, puts it quite out of my power, as my instructions strictly forbid my saluting the flag of any nation without a certainty of its being returned by an equal number of guns. You will have to hire fur the water, as I wish to prevent my men going on shore. I shall give as little trouble as possible, and observe the strictest neutrality; therefore, the less my officers and men go on shore the better, as it is my intention to sail as soon as I can get the water, which I hope will be by to-morrow evening. I have sent the purser on shore to settle with, you for the bullocks, sheep, and vegetables. I am, Sir, &c.
§ J. WALLIS.
212§ No. 39.—Copy of a Letter from, Pt. Morrogh, Esq. Brit. Consul at Corunne.,to Capt J Wallis, dated 19th Aug. 1803—Sir I received your kind letter of the l7th by last evening's mail. I informed his. maj.'s consul gen. at Madrid with the particulars, which occurred with this capt. gent on his not permitting your officers to come on shore, with such frivilous excuses; and I am sure Mr. Hunter will do the needful with more efficacy than any thing here. Mr. Kearney carries the account of the disbursements; every assistance and expedition has been done that this place can afford, and shall be happy in hearing if it meets your approbation, and shall be at all times in receiving your commands. I am, &c. PAT. MORROGH.
§ No. 40.——Extract of a Letter from Capt. Sir E. Pellew, Bart, to the hon. Adm. Cornwallis, dated of Cape Prior, 24th of Aug. 1808.—Sir; I have the honour to transmit you copies of a correspondence between Capt. J. Wallis, of his maj.'s ship Naiad, and the capt. gen. of the province of Galicia, resident at Corunna, and my order to Capt. Wallis, for proceeding to that port to water, upon assurance, before given by the capt. gen. of his readiness to furnish the necessaries that ship stood in need of. I am happy to inform you, that this correspondence, although a little awkward at first, terminated at last amicably, the governor expressing his concern that he could not permit the officers to come on shore, and excusing himself of any intended disrespect. The motives I acted upon were two, the 1st to obtain a direct and digested account of the proceedings of the French squadron, and their probable objects; the other, to enable me to supply the Mars with water, so as to retain her on her station as long as her provisions lasted. la this particular I have failed, the frigate getting only 30 tons; and I do not think, after what passed, and the manifest influence the French officers have over the capt. gen. that he will allow of the Naiad's' watering again. On the former part we were more successful, and understand that positive orders have been received from Madrid, not only to equip the whole of the Spanish fleet at Ferrol, but to refit in every particular the French squadron, and to allow them to impress all Frenchmen in their ports, to complete their complements. We learn, however, by the same means, that the arsenal is extremely low in every department; and it is said, they have not stores sufficient to complete the French ships alone.
213§ No. 41.—Extract of a Letter from Rear Adm. Sir R. Colder, Bart, to Adm. Cornwallis, dated on board his Maj.'s ship Prince of Wales, of Corunna, the 12th of Sept. 1803.—Capt. Prowse reports the Spaniards have received orders to fit out here 4 sail of the line; and they further say, that France has demanded their assistance, and that they fear they shall be compelled to join them in the war against England. If I may judge from their conduct towards this squadron, I should suppose there can be little doubt but that there is something of this kind in agitation between France and Spain at this time; I have therefore constantly given orders to the frigates not to anchor at Corunna, when they have sent their boats in to gain intelligence, &c. The other day I directed Capt. Prowse to send his boat into a bay to get some sand; when she landed on the beach, an officer's party came down to order them off; but on a little expostulation the officer (who was an Irishman) said, "he might take the sand, "but that his orders were to order them "off directly." As a corroborating circumstance of my opinion respecting the hostile appearances of the Spaniards, I find they are very busy here in remounting their cannon upon their batteries; and they say the French threaten to march 40,000 men into their country directly, if they do not join them.
§ No. 42.—Extract of a Letter from Sir E. Pellew to the Hon. Adm. Corwallis, dated Tonnant, Entrance of Betancos Bay, 7th Jan. 1804.—I have procured a small supply of fresh beef, which is in itself cheap but the Spanish govt, having demanded the duties, has nearly doubled its price. The French squadron pay no duty; and I shall therefore write Mr. Frere, at Madrid, upon it. This supply was absolutely necessary, and of infinite service to the people so completely out of clothing.
§ No. 43—Extract of Information from Sir E. Pellow), received in Adm. Cornwallis's Letter of 11th Jan. 1804.—A few days since the Spaniards have been much employed mounting cannon in all their forts; and the garrison at Ferrol is augmented to 7000 troops. They have made no alteration with respect to their ships, except the two intended for the W. Indies, which are getting forward.
§ No. 44—Copy of a Letter from Don Diego Contador, Governor of Ferrol, to Sir E. Pellew, Bart, dated 14th Feb. 1804.— Sir; I am informed by the governor of 214 the castle of Palmo, that a boat belonging to the squadron under your command, and having an English officer on board has past through the mouth of this harbour, and entered it in the middle of the night, without obeying the governor's orders not to proceed to their destination before day-light, according to the established orders for all boats and small vessels, either national or strangers.—I am also informed, that the squadron under your command has anchored at the mouth of the harbour between the batteries, which greatly annoys the coming in or going out.—Your eminence knows that I have strictly conformed myself to the laws of nations and of neutrality, not only by facilitating the supplying the squadron under your command with meat, bread, and all other provisions, refreshments, and succours, according to the rules of hospitality, but that even I did not object to your ships entering the harbours under my command, when the hardships of the sea and the damages sustained by the weather made it necessary; but as it is contrary to the same laws and rules of neutrality, that the boats of the squadron under your command should enter this port contrary to orders, in the night-time, which is not allowed even with flags of truce; or that the same squadron, without being forced to it by distress of weather, or any other necessity, should anchor at the harbour's mouth, and in the very entrance of it; I find myself obliged to request your eminence to acquaint me with the motive which may have induced you to act in this manner, and I have no doubt that henceforward your eminence will take example by my conduct, and faithfully observe the laws of nations and neutrality, by not sending your boats at night into our ports, and making use of the Spanish territories, harbours, and succours, but as much as hospitality requires, and so as not to give room to suspect that I connive at the abuse of that hospitality to the prejudice of other nations, which are equally on terms of neutrality with this country, and have ships of war in this harbour. I beg, &c. DIEGO CONTADOR.
§ No. 45.—Copy of a Letter from Sir E. Pellew, Bart, to Don D. Contador, Gov. of Ferrol, dated on board the Tonnant, off Ferrol, l6th Feb. 1804.—Sir; I was last evening honoured with your excl.'s letter of yesterday's date, and am concerned to 215 find that it wears so much the complexion of real complaint. The want of a person to translate the Castilian language has delayed my reply; and I have to apprehend that we have not put a proper construction on all its parts. I did not, however, lose a moment in calling to account the officer who bad broken my positive orders, by entering your harbour in the night. His defence I inclose herewith, observing only, that this young officer was actuated by no improper motive whatever; it was the giddiness of youth. The boat was certainly not armed, and was the smallest in the cutter. But so little am I disposed to justify the opinion, that I have put him under arrest, to be tried by a court martial, where he will meet the punishment due to his insubordination.—I trust, however (and have great pleasure in the expectation), from the personal inclination your excl. has so uniformly evinced, by affording the squadron of his Brit. maj. every supply consistent with neutrality and friendship, that this trivial circumstance (which I could not control) will not lead to disturb the good understanding and harmony so happily commenced. I shall manifest, by every means, my strong inclination for its continuance, and my regret at any event which may disturb it. With respect to the occasional anchorage of the ships under my command, your excl. has been misinformed. I trust it is not such as can give umbrage to your excl. or to the Spanish nation. I am sent upon the coast of Galicia by the king my master, to protect the commerce of his subjects trading to the ports of Spain. In performing this service, it cannot with truth be said, that I have given trouble to the ships of any nation, either entering or departing from them. I have acted up to the spirit of exact neutrality, and the existing treaties; and, with the exception of the cutter (to which your excl. had given permission to go into Ferrol to receive supplies), there is no ship anchored within the batteries, but in the open ocean. In easterly winds I occasionally anchor to prevent being blown off; and in westerly winds I anchor to prevent being shipwrecked upon the coast. I cannot give your excl. two more powerful reasons; and I entertain no doubt that they will prove satisfactory, and that I shall continue to experience the same attention and respect to the flag of my sovereign, us is shewn to that of any other 216 neutral nation enjoying the benefit of amity and peace. I am, &c. E. PELLEW.
§ (Inclosure in No. 45.)—Declaration of the Officer in (lie Boat, inclosed in the Letter of Sir E. Pellew. Burt. to. Don D. Contador, Gov. of Ferrot, dated on board the Tonnant, 16th Feb. 1804.—Having been sent on board the Nimble cutter, to be ready to go early in the morning for provisions to Ferrol, it was discovered about midnight that the buoy of the cutter's anchor was gone, and it was doubted if it had not broke from the rope, and drifted up the harbour; upon which I jumped into the boat with 2 men and 2 boys to look for it. The tide was setting strong into the harbour, and in a few minutes the boat was hurried up under Castle Palmo, and hailed by the sentry, and ordered to go back, upon which I answered in French, that it was an English boat, looking for a buoy broke from the cutter's anchor, and begged to go on; after calling, a serjeant, I believe, he said I might do so. The boat was unarmed, and I returned in a few minutes. I had no improper motive whatever; and I know the most positive orders were given against any boat moving by night. The hurry of the moment, and the rapidity of the tide, gave me no time for reflection, and to that alone is the circumstance to be attributed, and for which I am very sorry.
§ No. 46.—Copy of a Letter from Don D. Contador, Gov. of Ferrol, to Sir E, Pellew, Bart, dated 19th Feb. 1804.—Sir; I am informed by the commanding officer of the port of Muelle that a French sailor of the ship Hero has ill-treated, with a boat hook, the stern of one of the boats belonging to the squadron under the command of your eminence, which was crossing the port. In consequence of my complaining of it to M. Gourdon, commanding the French naval forces lying in, that port, he has assured me that the offender will meet with-a punishment proportionate to his offence; and I have put under arrest the sentries and Serjeants on duty at Muelle, for not arresting and bringing the aggressor before me. In order to avoid the repetition of similar accidents, I have directed, that henceforward the English boats may go to the southern, and the French and Dutch, to the northern side of the Muelle; and that proper directions are given to the sentries and other persons on duty not to suffer the English boats to be insulted in a territory of Spain, whilst it is a neutral nation.—On this occasion M. 217 Gourdon has made complaints of the English boat which entered the harbour the other night, and that the squadron under your command has brought to anchor at the entrance of it for the purpose of espying the movements of the French squadron, upon which points I have communicated to him what has passed between your eminence and myself upon these subjects; and we must hope that your eminence, and the squadron under your command, will make no movements in the ports or on the coasts of Spain contrary to neutrality, or that might give rise to disputes or complaints from any power allied or neutral with Spain, and which are in consequence entitled to all succours of hospitality and neutrality, although they may be at war and enmity with any other nation, Iam, &c.
§ D. CONTAADOR.
§ No. 47.—Copy of a Letter from Don D. Contador, Gov. of Ferrol, to Sir E. Pellew, Bart, dated 19th Feb. 1804.—Sir; I have received your valuable letter of the l6th inst. in answer to one I wrote your eminence on the 15th, in which you have the goodness to resolve the doubts which had occurred to me, and which I had requested your eminence to clear up. This letter has fully convinced me how strictly your eminence adheres to the principles of neutrality. And as for the trifling trespass of the young officer who commanded the boat, I have to beseech your eminence (and I beg leave to offer all the influence my mediation may have,) not to bring him to any trial or punishment for a fault which proceeded entirely from want of reflection, and which has had no bad consequence whatever; I shall look upon this as a great favour from your eminence, who may be assured that by my endeavours to oblige you and the squadron under your command (as far as is compatible with neutrality,) I shall shew you how sensible I am of the polite and obliging attention of your eminence, and of the conformity of our wishes to preserve the good understanding which subsists between our respective nations within the limits of neutrality, lam, &c. D. CONTADOR.
§ No. 48.—Copy of a Letter from Sir E. Pellew, Bart, to Don D. Contador, gov. of Ferrol, dated on board the Tonnant, off Ferrol, 20th Feb. 1804.—Sir; I had the honour to receive your letter of the 19th last evening, and, in reply to it, I beg your excl. to accept my thanks for the interest you have taken in protecting the subjects 218 of the king my master from the gross insuits offered to them by the boats crew of the French ship Hero. As the circumstance happened to fall under the observation of several of your most respectable officers, it was not my intention to trouble you with any complaint upon the subject; and I therefore feel the more obliged for your voluntary interference, which I have no doubt will have the proper effect. We shall strictly conform to the regulations which your excl. informs me of in landing; and be more cautious than ever to avoid, in every instance, giving any cause for complaint. I shall have great satisfaction in complying with the request you make in favour of the officer who was so imprudent the other night. Your commands and wishes will be held by me one of the first objects of my consideration; and have the honour to be, &c. E. PELLEW.
§ No. 49.—Extract of a Letter from Sir E. Pellew, Bart, to the Hon. Adm. Cornwallis, dated on board the Tonnant, off Ferrol, 9th May, 1804.—The crews of the squadron are in high health and spirits; supplies of fresh provisions, regular, and wine and bread have been purchased as occasion required, and 500 bags of the latter were ready to be sent on board on the day I left the port. The utmost cordiality prevails between the Spaniards and the squadron, and upon every occasion their civilities are uniform. I have no doubt from the readiness with which they supplied an anchor to the Malta, but stores of any sort may be procured and supplied from the arsenal as readily as they are to the French ships, if their ldps. should choose to resort to that measure.
§ No. 50.—Extract of a Letter from the Hon Rear-Adm. Cochrane to the. Hon. Adm. Cornwallis, dated on board the Northumberland off Ferrol, 15th May, 1804.—Since I wrote to you by the Nile lugger I have been endeavouring to supply the immediate wants of the squadron, in such species of provisions as the ships stand most in need of; and I hope to find that I can procure fresh beef delivered on board, free of all cost and expence, at 5½d. per lb. bread at 4d. per lb. flour at about 45s. per 196 lbs. and Catalonia wine at from 2s. to 2s. 4d. per gallon; but as several vessels are expected soon here with that article it may fall considerably.
§ No. 51.—Extract of a Letter from the Hon. Rear-Adm. Cochrane to the Hon Adm. Cornwallis, dated on board the Northumber- 219 land, Betanzos Bay near Ferrol, 23d May,1804.—I am in hopes of being able to obtain almost every article of provisions here; and if coals and candles, with a proportion of bread, are sent from England, we could do very well.