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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
On May 4, 1738, the British House of Lords presented an address to King George II condemning Spanish seizures and mistreatment of British ships and sailors in American waters as violations of treaties and navigation rights. They resolved to support necessary measures if diplomatic efforts fail. The King assured efforts for reparation and security.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the Humble Address from the Lords to the King regarding Spanish depredations and the King's response, split across pages; relabeled from 'notice' to 'foreign_news' as it is a political document on international relations.
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Most Gracious Sovereign,
WE Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, having taken into our serious Consideration the many unjust Violences and Depredations committed by the Spaniards upon the Persons, Ships, and Effects of divers of Your Majesty's Subjects in America, have come to the following Resolutions, which we beg Leave in the humblest Manner to lay before Your Majesty, for Your Royal Consideration, viz.
I. Resolved, That the Subjects of the Crown of Great-Britain have a clear and undoubted Right to navigate in the American Seas, to and from any Part of His Majesty's Dominions; and for carrying on such Trade and Commerce as they are justly entitled unto in America; and also to carry all Sorts of Goods and Merchandizes, or Effects, from one Part of His Majesty's Dominions to any other Part thereof; and that no Goods being so carried, are, by any Treaty subsisting between the Crowns of Great-Britain and Spain, to be deemed or taken as contraband or prohibited Goods: and that the Searching of such Ships on the open Seas, under Pretence of their carrying contraband or prohibited Goods, is a Violation and Infraction of the Treaties subsisting between the Two Crowns.
II. Resolved, That it appears to this House, that as well before, as since the Execution of the Treaty of Seville, on the Part of Great-Britain, divers Ships and Vessels, with their Cargoes, belonging to British Subjects, have been violently seiz'd and confiscated by the Spaniards, upon Pretences altogether unjust and groundless: and that many of the Sailors on board such Ships have been injuriously and barbarously imprisoned and ill-treated; and that thereby the Liberty of Navigation and Commerce belonging to His Majesty's Subjects, by the Law of Nations, and by Virtue of the Treaties subsisting between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain, hath been unwarrantably infringed and interrupted, to the great Loss and Damage of our Merchants, and in direct Violation of the said Treaties.
III. Resolved, That it appears to this House, that frequent Applications have been made, on the Part of His Majesty, to the Court of Spain, in a Manner the most agreeable to Treaties, and to the Peace and Friendship subsisting between the Two Crowns, for redressing the notorious Abuses and Grievances before mentioned, and preventing the like for the future, and for obtaining adequate Satisfaction to His injured Subjects; which, in the Event, have proved hitherto fruitless, and of no Effect.
We think it our Duty, on this important Occasion, humbly to represent to Your Majesty, That we are most sensibly affected with the many and grievous Injuries and Losses sustained by Your Majesty's Trading Subjects, by Means of these unwarrantable Depredations and Seizures; and to give Your Majesty the strongest and most sincere Assurances, That in Case Your Friendly and Powerful Instances for procuring Restitution and Reparation to Your injured Subjects, for the future Security of their Trade and Navigation, Shall fail of having their due Effect and Influence on the Court of Spain, and shall not be able to obtain that real Satisfaction and Security, which Your Majesty may in Justice expect; we will zealously and cheerfully concur in all such Measures as shall become necessary for the Support of Your Majesty's Honour, the Preservation of our Navigation and Commerce, and the common Good of these Kingdoms.
His MAJESTY's most Gracious ANSWER.
My Lords,
I AM sensibly touched with the many Hardships and Injuries sustained by My Trading Subjects in America from the Cruelties and unjust Depredations of the Spaniards. You may be assured of My Care to procure Satisfaction and Reparation for the Losses they have already
already Suffered, and Security for the Freedom of Navigation for the future; and to maintain to My People the full Enjoyment of all the Rights to which they are entitled by Treaty and the Law of Nations.
I doubt not but I shall have your Concurrence for the Support of such Measures, as may be necessary for that Purpose.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
American Seas
Event Date
1738 05 04
Key Persons
Outcome
multiple british ships and cargoes seized and confiscated by spaniards; sailors imprisoned and ill-treated; diplomatic applications to spain fruitless; assurances of support for measures if reparation fails.
Event Details
The Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled addressed His Majesty regarding unjust Spanish violences and depredations on British subjects' persons, ships, and effects in America. They passed three resolutions affirming British navigation rights, condemning seizures as treaty violations, and noting failed diplomatic efforts. They pledged support for necessary measures to protect honor, navigation, and commerce if Spain does not provide satisfaction. His Majesty responded, expressing concern and commitment to procure reparation and security.